On August 31, US NASA Administrator Bolden will participate in a launch of SERVIR-Mekong. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with NASA, is funding SERVIR-Mekong, a five-year (2014–2019) geospatial data for development project implemented by Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC).

SERVIR-Mekong equips governments, regional institutions and other key stakeholders in the Lower Mekong countries to use publicly available satellite imagery and geospatial technologies such as mapping and analysis software. This information is essential for improving environmental management and building greater resilience to the negative effects of climate change.

SERVIR-Mekong is one of three SERVIR hubs currently in operation across the developing world. Each hub strengthens a locally based and regionally-focused institution to serve as a sustainable regional service provider of data, analytics, training and best practices for improved decision making.

The event will showcase a new geoportal providing access to data and tools and a regional geospatial needs rapid assessment.

A media event will be held for invited members of regional and Thai media outlets.

To follow the event on Twitter, search for #SERVIRMekong.

Further reading:

NASA: NASA's Daniel Irwin Leads Global Earth-Monitoring Network for NASA, USAID Initiative -- and Still Finds Time to Change the World One Playground at a Time

Voice of America: NASA Chief: 'Still Time' to Heed Ominous Sea Level Rise Data