Abbreviation UNOSAT Legal status Active Head Einar Bjorgo | Formation 2001 Headquarters Geneva, Switzerland | |
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Type United Nations Programme | ||
UNOSAT is the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Operational Satellite Applications Programme, implemented in collaboration with the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). UNOSAT was established in 2001 as an operational, technology-intensive programme. The programme's mission is to provide coordinated geo-spatial satellite imagery analysis, and develop capacities for the use of geo-information technology towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals supporting the UN system, its partners and member states.
UNOSAT promotes evidence-based decision making for peace, security and resilience using geo-spatial information technologies to support in critical areas such as humanitarian aid, human rights, human security, climate services, environmental monitoring, cultural heritage, territorial planning, and development.
As a knowledge centre for satellite imagery analysis and Geographic Information System (GIS) solutions, UNOSAT's three strategic objectives are to:
- Provide coordinated geo-spatial analysis
- Develop capacities in the use of technology towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
- Develop and promote innovative geo-spatial solutions for the UN system, its partners and member states
The UNOSAT team is composed of GIS analysts, geographers, remote sensing experts, hydrologists, geologists, and hydrogeologists - supported by IT engineers, database programmers, communication specialists and management experts. UNOSAT team members have been deployed to several humanitarian crises and conflict areas to provide technical assistance.
UNOSAT is hosted by CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, with regional presence in Bangkok, Nairobi and N’Djamena.