On 19-20 September 2023, the AFSIS Secretariat attended the Satellite Applications for Societal Benefit Working Group (SAWG) which was a working group session of APRSAF-29 that was jointly organized by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of Indonesia, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The APRSAF-29 was held in Jakarta, Indonesia this year.
2 representatives from the AFSIS Secretariat which were Dr. Sumanya Ngandee, AFSIS Manager, and Ms. Prodpran Lomthong, Project Coordinator, attended the SAWG physically and virtually respectively.
The SAWG session had the following objectives: to promote and facilitate the utilization of space-based systems, including Earth observation satellites and navigation satellites, in conjunction with ground-based information to contribute to global agendas. This contribution aims to address a wide array of common social issues in the region while also establishing and strengthening a sustainable cooperative framework between space agencies and stakeholders, including end-users and development aid agencies.
During the SAWG session, Dr. Sumanya had the honor of presenting the AFSIS project and its implementation of Rice Growing Outlook (RGO) activity, including the collaboration with relevant organizations such as JAXA, MAFF, ISRO, RESTEC, GISTDA, and VNSC regarding the utilization of satellite-derived agricultural information through the human resource development activities. Furthermore, AFSIS’ suggestion to keep continuous dialog with the space community to improve the efficiency of the RGO report and for the capacity-building activity for ASEAN member countries was acknowledged.
In this regard, the Meeting discussed the way forward to extend the good results of RGO activity in collaboration with AFSIS to other countries and regions to other programs and initiatives i.e., ISRO’s Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) or United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP).
On Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 22:57 WITA, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, one of Indonesia’s 120 active volcanoes, erupted on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province, The eruption, lasting 24 minutes (1,450 seconds), was recorded with a massive amplitude of 47.3 mm. According to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency, a strong eruption sent ash up to 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), affecting over 10,000 people. Smaller eruptions followed on November 5-6. In response, the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) raised the volcano’s alert status to “Awas” (Level IV), indicating a high danger level.
On November 12, 2024, Dr. Sumanya Nagdee, AFSIS Manager, participated in the Completion and Handover Ceremony for the project "Establishing Real-Time ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) and Development of Human Resources 3rd Phase – Pilot Project on Strategic Crop Forecasting System for Food Security in Indonesia." The event, which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, was supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea and This meeting was chaired by Ms. Intan Rahayu, Director of the Center of Agricultural Data and System Information (CADIS) under Indonesia's Ministry of Agriculture, and Mr. An Jaerok, Vice President of EPIS from South Korea, along with representatives from various sectors.
According to the Mekong River Commission (MRC), heavy rain may cause flash floods and overflows, particularly in foothill and mountainous areas, affecting regions including Gia Lai and Kon Tum in Vietnam, as well as Bolikhamxay, Khammuane, Savannakhet, Salavane, Sekong, Champasak, and Attapeu in Laos, and Ratana Kiri and Stung Treng in Cambodia.
Severe Tropical Storm TRAMI (Local Name: Kristine) Causes Heavy Rainfall, Landslides and Widespread Flooding in the Philippines On October 22, 2024, Tropical Storm Kristine unleashed heavy rainfall, leading to severe flooding in multiple provinces. As of October 29, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported extensive damage to agricultural lands and infrastructure, prompting evacuations and relief efforts to assist affected communities. Local authorities are mobilizing resources to provide assistance and manage the unfolding disaster. As of October 30, the latest situation indicates that two cyclones struck the Philippines in quick succession, with Typhoon Leon entering the Philippine area of responsibility on October 26, just one day after Kristine departed.
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