David E. Steitz
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-1730)

David Miller
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Washington
(Phone: 202/482-6090)

Susan Povenmire
Department of State, Washington
(Phone: 202/647-3486)

July 14, 2003
RELEASE : N03-067


NASA Participating In International Earth Observation Summit

On Thursday, July 31, 2003, senior administration officials and
representatives from approximately 25 nations will convene in
Washington to establish plans for an integrated international
Earth observation system. Comprehensive Earth observations will
provide key scientific data to support global economic,
social and scientific decisions.

The Earth Observation Summit brings together ministerial-level
representatives from the G-8 and other countries with a significant
role in Earth observation, one of the top three G-8 science and
technology priorities. Representatives from the World Bank, World
Meteorological Organization, and other multilateral organizations
will also attend. The Summit aims to raise awareness of the
importance of cooperation and investment in Earth observations
for the benefit of international decision-makers.

Key speakers at the Summit include: NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe;
Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham; Secretary of Commerce Don Evans;
Secretary of State Colin Powell; Science Advisor to the President,
John Marburger; and White House Council on Environmental Quality
Chairman James Connaughton.

Media may cover the Summit upon presentation of one of the following:
(1) a U.S. government-issued identification card (Department of State,
White House, Congress, Department of Defense, or Foreign Press Center);
(2) a photo ID issued by employing media organization; or (3) a letter
on official letterhead from parent organization verifying employment
as a journalist with an official photo ID (valid driver's license or
passport).

For information about NASA on the Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

For information about the Summit on the Internet, visit:

http://www.earthobservationsummit.gov

The Summit media entrance is at:

U.S. Department of State
23rd Street entrance
Media registration: 7:30-8:30 a.m. EDT
Summit: 8:45 a.m. - 2:50 p.m. EDT

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