The CEOS Strategic Implementation Team (SIT) was created in 1996 to advance the involvement of CEOS in the development of the Integrated Global Observing System (IGOS). The SIT is comprised of CEOS Member Principals and some Associates with the authority to commit agency support to initiatives as they unfold. With the integration of IGOS Themes into GEO, the SIT now plays a central role in coordination of existing and future missions of CEOS agencies, particularly to support GEO in its realization of the space segment of GEOSS. The SIT’s objective is to define, characterize, and develop the vision for CEOS participation in GEO and in particular, to strengthen the CEOS linkages to GEOSS. The SIT is currently engaged in objectively defining and prioritizing a series of “actionable” actions and demonstrated results that will support corresponding GEO Societal Benefit Area (SBA) Tasks. For each of the GEO Tasks that CEOS contributes to, key CEOS actions have been identified with a direct traceability established. The SIT places strong emphasis on progressing GEO Tasks and has achieved commitments from CEOS agencies to conduct the assigned tasks. The SIT is preparing to focus on observational gaps and overlaps in close coordination with GEO. The SIT leads CEOS Virtual Constellation development and implementation activities as described in the CEOS IP. NOAA is currently serving as the 2008-2009 SIT Chair to be followed for a two-year term by JAXA, the current SIT Vice-Chair.

View the SIT Terms of Reference.

IGOS Partnership
The Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Partnership created in 1998 was dissolved at its final IGOS P-15 meeting at UNESCO in Paris in May, 2008. The Partnership expressed satisfaction with the way the transition of the IGOS Themes* into GEO had been handled. The GEO Secretariat continues to support the further integration of the Themes into GEO and, where appropriate, their migration into Communities of Practice. One of the main future thrusts for the Themes will be to widen their scope from scientific requirements for observations to broader applications, with the aim of supporting GEOSS implementation. A large Symposium in conjunction with GEO-VI in 2009 is currently being organised to mark the achievements of the IGOS Themes and to highlight their current and planned activities under the GEO umbrella.

* IGOS Themes are: Atmospheric Chemistry, Carbon Cycle, Coastal, Cryosphere, Geohazards, Land, Ocean and Water Cycle.

For more information on IGOS, please visit the IGOS Home Page.