Exploring Digital Oceans and Resilient Cities at a Global Forum
UDENE was represented at the 32nd IAF Workshop of the International Astronautical Federation, held from 26–28 September in Sydney, Australia. The event, organised with the support of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Maldives Space Research Organisation (MSRO), brought together global experts to discuss the role of Earth observation (EO), GeoAI, and digital twins in addressing coastal and urban resilience challenges.
A Panel on EO, GeoAI, and Digital Twins in Action
A panel discussion titled “Digital Oceans, Resilient Cities: EO, GeoAI, and Digital Twins in Action” was convened during the workshop. The session was moderated by Valrie Grant, and featured contributions from Jumpei Takami, Andiswa Mlisa, Nashwan Matheen, and UDENE’s own Mohamed Rajhi.
In a highly engaging exchange, the panellists examined practical pathways for converting EO and GeoAI technologies into operational digital twins that can support resilience at the interface between oceans and coastal cities. Insights were shared on the technical, governance, and data-integration requirements needed to make these tools functional and impactful.
UDENE Tool Demonstrated
During the workshop, the UDENE tool was presented to the audience, showcasing how EO and in-situ data can be transformed into actionable decision-support for coastal-city resilience. Its role within the wider ecosystem of geospatial tools for sustainable development was highlighted, including its capacity to support planning, risk reduction, and evidence-based policy making.
Looking Ahead
We are grateful to the organisers and fellow panellists for creating an open, forward-looking environment. The discussions sparked at the workshop are expected to lead to continued collaboration, with a shared ambition of translating cutting-edge EO and GeoAI innovations into practical, operational solutions for resilient coastal and urban environments.