OUR EVENT
GENERAL AARS MEETING
About Our Company and Our People
The General AARS Meeting at ACRS 2025 convenes leaders from academia, government, and industry to shape the future of remote sensing across Asia. This annual forum focuses on strategic collaboration, policy development, and actionable initiatives to advance geospatial technologies in alignment with regional sustainability goals. Central to the meeting is the formulation of a five-year strategic roadmap aimed at accelerating geospatial innovation. Discussions will address enhancing satellite data utilization, integrating AI for climate resilience, and standardizing data-sharing protocols to tackle challenges like urban sprawl and disaster risk. Proposals such as the “Geospatial Innovation Fund” will be debated, targeting support for startups and research aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
AARS will highlight collaborations with Universitas Hasanuddin, the Maros-Pangkep UNESCO Global Geopark, and global entities like the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). New alliances with Planet Labs and Airbus Defence and Space will be announced, emphasizing joint satellite missions and open-data platforms for environmental monitoring. A session with the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI) will explore harmonizing geospatial policies across Southeast Asia.
The launch of the “Geospatial Futures Program” will introduce scholarships, regional training centers in Indonesia, India, and Vietnam, and virtual labs offering open-access resources. These initiatives aim to bridge technology gaps in underserved regions, building on successes like the 2024 Coastal Resilience Training in the Philippines.
Members will debate policies on ethical AI use and cross-border data sovereignty, alongside a white paper on “Responsible Satellite Surveillance” addressing environmental justice. Interactive forums will gather feedback on governance, while the “Youth Innovation Challenge” invites early-career professionals to pitch solutions for sustainable urbanization and biodiversity conservation, with mentorship and funding for winning projects. The meeting will spotlight innovations such as Thailand’s real-time flood prediction systems and Japan’s AI crop health monitors, alongside awards like the “AARS Lifetime Achievement Award”. A closing session will outline AARS’s 2026–2030 vision, prioritizing carbon sequestration monitoring via SAR satellites and establishing a Pan-Asian Geospatial Data Hub to democratize Earth observation access.
Why Engage?
Participants gain influence over policies shaping Asia’s geospatial landscape, connect with 30+ nations’ decision-makers, and drive projects addressing regional disparities. This meeting transcends procedural formalities, uniting stakeholders to ensure innovation remains ethical, inclusive, and pivotal to Asia’s sustainable future.
Key Components
Strategic Planning for Geospatial Advancement
The meeting will prioritize the development of a five-year strategic roadmap to accelerate the adoption of geospatial technologies across Asia. Discussions will focus on enhancing regional capabilities in satellite data utilization, AI integration, and climate resilience. Key goals include fostering innovation hubs, standardizing data-sharing protocols, and addressing pressing challenges such as urban sprawl, deforestation, and disaster risk reduction. Sub-committees will present proposals on initiatives like the “Geospatial Innovation Fund”, aimed at supporting startups and research projects tackling SDG-aligned challenges.
Strengthening Regional and International Partnerships
Updates will highlight AARS’s expanding network of collaborations, including ongoing projects with Universitas Hasanuddin, the Maros-Pangkep UNESCO Global Geopark, and international bodies like the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). New partnerships with tech giants such as Planet Labs and Airbus Defence and Space will be unveiled, focusing on joint satellite missions and open-data platforms for environmental monitoring. A dedicated session will explore synergies with the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI) to harmonize geospatial policies across Southeast Asia.
Policy Development and Ethical Frameworks
Members will debate draft policies on ethical AI use in geospatial decision-making and cross-border data sovereignty, aiming to establish guidelines that balance innovation with privacy and equity. A working group will present a white paper on “Responsible Satellite Surveillance”, addressing concerns around militarization and environmental justice.
Member Engagement and Governance
Interactive sessions will empower members to shape AARS’s governance through feedback forums and elections for regional representatives. A “Youth Innovation Challenge” will be introduced, inviting early-career professionals to pitch solutions for sustainable urbanization and biodiversity conservation, with winning projects receiving mentorship and funding.
Technology Showcases and Recognitions
The meeting will feature showcases of breakthrough technologies from member institutions, such as real-time flood prediction systems from Thailand and AI-powered crop health monitors from Japan. Awards will honor outstanding contributions, including the “AARS Lifetime Achievement Award” and “Young Geospatial Leader of the Year”, celebrating pioneers driving the field forward.