ASIA-PACIFIC COUNTRIES DISCUSS CLIMATE CHANGE IN BALI

Denpasar, March 10 (ANTARA) - Asia-Pacific countries will discuss the climate change issue at an Asia Pacifik Global on Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) in Sanur, Bali.

The three-day symposium from March 10-12, 2010, attended by representatives from 26 Asia Pacific countries, was opened by Research and Technology Minister Suharma Surapranata MT on Wednesday.

"The main agenda to be discussed in the symposium is the climate change issue because countries around the world are currently cooperating in their efforts to reduce the impact of climate change," National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) spokesperson Elly Kuntjahyowati said here on Wednesday.

She said the symposium conducted by LAPAN would be an important and strategic opportunity for the Asia Pacific representatives to make an effective decision to deal with the environmental issue.

The Global Earth Observation System of Systems is simultaneously addressing nine areas of critical importance to people and society.

It aims to empower the international community to protect itself against natural and human-induced disasters, understand the environmental sources of health hazards, manage energy resources, respond to climate change and its impacts, safeguard water resources, improve weather forecasts, manage ecosystems, promote sustainable agriculture and conserve biodiversity.

"The result of the symposium will be a recommendation of the Group on Earth Observation (GEO) at a ministerial meeting in Beijing, China in November this year," Elly said.