5th adc meeting

6. 2009-11 Work plan – overview, strategy and issues

The GEO Secretariat introduced the overview of developing the 2009-2011 Work Plan. It will build upon the cross-cutting dimensions of GEOSS across societal benefit areas, transverse areas and system types and will enhance data sharing and distribution. It will consolidate 2007-2009 Work Plan strategic tasks into overarching strategic tasks to improve coordination and integration of similar functions, foster linkages between related tasks and ensure continuity of relevant GEO activities. Major changes are adding a Governance Section, moving to a 2 part structure, consolidation of activities and a stronger user-driven approach.

The key messages are that: committees and individual members will need to maintain the momentum of their existing efforts while tackling new challenges and, while working within their existing terms of reference. Committees will need to take additional measures to ensure that GEOSS progresses to the next level and that this progress is recognized by Ministers at the next GEO Summit.
The ADC will oversee construction of the GEOSS architecture and focus on specific tasks. Together with CBC, STC & UIC, ADC will periodically assess how the Work Plan is progressing, possibly defining a set of priority Tasks.
The two cornerstones of the 2009-2011 Work Plan are: The GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) and; the Implementation of GEOSS Data Sharing Principles. The ADC plays a key role in guiding the construction of these two cornerstones, while other Committees provide additional oversight from their particular perspectives.
There were some discussions of the relationships between the committees. J. Pearlman commented that the ADC will be proactive in approaching the other committees as needed.
There was a question on who will be the lead for the overarching tasks. ADC does not yet have a clear plan and it needs to be discussed at the next C4 meeting. The point of view of the GEO Secreatariat is that it does not expect that there will be overarching task leaders.
The committee notes that more discussion of the implications and the methods of implementation is needed before actually moving into the implementation. A. Anoni explained that in the co-chair meeting this was discussed and it is expected that it will be addressed in the C4 meeting.