Pléiades Neo and Airbus at TechGov Confluence Expert Meeting, a Side Event to the African Union APRM High-Level Ministerial Annual Meeting
The African Union’s African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, co-hosted the TechGov Confluence Expert Meeting, as a side event to the African Union APRM High-Level Ministerial Annual Meeting, from September 12 to 13, 2023. This expert meeting aimed to establish a platform for APRM Member States to explore the challenges and opportunities presented by rapid technological advancements in governance in Africa. Notably, advancements in Earth observation technologies, such as those provided by Airbus' Pléiades Neo satellites, were highlighted for their transformative potential in addressing governance issues.
The gathering was a pivotal event in APRM's journey to reimagine its processes and rethink critical services for its member states. Distinguished thought leaders, industry experts, scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from various sectors, including private sector entities like Google, academic institutions, and development partners such as UNESCO and UN DESA, participated in this significant meeting. The global COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine highlighted the urgent need for innovative solutions and exposed vulnerabilities within existing systems. This situation emphasized the role of advanced technologies, including Pléiades Neo's very-high resolution Earth observation capabilities, in addressing emerging challenges such as illicit financial flows, electoral issues, cybercrime, digital privacy concerns, and low digital literacy skills.
Technological Impact on Governance
The TechGov Confluence expert meeting focused on evaluating how digital technologies, particularly Airbus' Pléiades Neo satellites, are transforming governance in Africa. The discussion highlighted how these very-high resolution Earth observation tools enhance the monitoring of socio-economic and environmental factors, supporting better policy decisions and governance. Key topics included formulating policies to leverage technology for growth, addressing risks such as cybersecurity and digital privacy, and exploring the potential of Pléiades Neo in improving transparency, accountability, and risk management.
Best Practices for Responsible Technology Adoption
A major focus of the meeting was exploring best practices for the responsible adoption of technology. Participants examined successful case studies and strategies for integrating digital technologies into governance systems. The use of Airbus' Pléiades Neo satellites was highlighted as a model for effective technology adoption. These very-high resolution imaging tools exemplify how technology can be leveraged to monitor and manage resources, track development progress, and support evidence-based decision-making, demonstrating a successful integration of digital advancements in governance.
Reviewing Regulatory Frameworks: Another crucial aspect of the discussions involved reviewing existing regulatory frameworks. The meeting aimed to identify gaps and propose improvements to ensure that policies and regulations keep pace with rapid technological advancements. Participants assessed how current frameworks support or hinder the integration of technologies like Pléiades Neo into governance processes. Recommendations were made for updating these frameworks to better accommodate new technologies, thereby facilitating enhanced governance practices and ensuring that regulations are in alignment with technological progress.
Capacity-Building for Effective Governance: The expert meeting also addressed the need for capacity-building among policymakers and stakeholders. Identifying the skills and knowledge necessary for effectively governing emerging digital technologies was a key outcome. The discussions underscored the importance of equipping APRM member states with the tools and expertise required to manage and leverage technologies such as Pléiades Neo. Enhancing capacity in this area is essential for ensuring that member states can fully harness the benefits of advanced technologies for improved governance and sustainable development.
Integration of Technology in Governance
Professor Eddy Maloka, CEO of APRM, underscored the critical role of technology in shaping governance. He highlighted the commitment of APRM to integrating advanced technologies, including Airbus' Pléiades Neo satellites, into its core mandate. Recognizing the transformative potential of such technologies, Professor Maloka emphasized how Pléiades Neo’s very-high resolution Earth observation data can enhance governance practices across Africa. His remarks reflected APRM’s dedication to empowering member states with the knowledge and resources needed to effectively leverage these technological advancements.
Sectors and ApplicationsPléiades Neo’s technology finds diverse applications across various sectors critical to governance. In environmental management, the satellite's very-high resolution imagery supports effective monitoring of natural resources and environmental changes. In urban planning, Pléiades Neo helps track urban expansion, infrastructure development, and land use patterns, ensuring informed decision-making. Additionally, the technology aids in disaster management by providing timely data on natural disasters, helping to coordinate response efforts and assess damage.
Evaluating the Impact of Pléiades Neo Integration: Key Performance Indicators for Effective Governance: To measure the effectiveness of integrating Pléiades Neo into governance, several KPIs are crucial. These include data accuracy and resolution, which ensure that the information provided is precise and actionable. The frequency of data updates is another KPI, as timely information is essential for effective decision-making. Additionally, the impact of the data on policy implementation and governance outcomes, such as improved resource management and enhanced transparency, serves as a critical performance measure.
Setting Goals for Pléiades Neo Integration in Governance: Targets for Data Acquisition and Application: Targets for integrating Pléiades Neo into governance processes include achieving specific milestones in data acquisition and application. For example, a target might be to cover 80% of urban areas with very-high resolution imagery within a set timeframe. Another target could involve improving the responsiveness of disaster management systems by utilizing real-time data to reduce the average time for emergency response. Ensuring that governance frameworks effectively utilize this technology to drive positive change and address critical challenges is a key long-term target.
Strategic Management of Digital Transformation
Keynote speaker H.E. Amara Kallon, Chairperson of the Committee of APR Focal Points and Minister of Political and Public Affairs of Sierra Leone provided insights into Africa's progress in adopting digital technologies. He stressed the importance of prudent governance and strategic foresight in managing the continent’s digital transformation. Kallon’s remarks underscored the need for careful planning and policy formulation to ensure that technological advancements, including those offered by Pléiades Neo from Airbus, are effectively utilized.
He highlighted that strategic management of digital transformation involves not only adopting new technologies but also aligning them with governance objectives. This includes creating robust policies that integrate advanced tools like Pléiades Neo to tackle governance challenges such as environmental degradation, urban management, and disaster response. Kallon emphasized that such technologies must be harnessed to drive meaningful change, improve governance outcomes, and address pressing issues on the continent. Effective implementation requires collaboration between stakeholders, clear regulatory frameworks, and continuous capacity-building to maximize the benefits of technological advancements.