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UNESCO Natural Sciences Sector Executive Director HAN Qunli Visits HIST

Date:2012-01-09

On 6 January, UNESCO Natural Sciences Sector Executive Director HAN Qunli visited the International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage under the Auspices of UNESCO (HIST) hosted by AIR.

Accompanied by HIST Deputy Director and Secretary-General HONG Tianhua, HAN Qunli visited the AIR exhibition hall and the remote sensing satellite ground control system, and listened to a general report on AIR and the three international organizations hosted by AIR. Later they watched a demonstration video named “Space Observation and Understanding of World Heritage” and “the Digital Earth Science Platform”.

In the ensuing discussion, HONG Tianhua introduced HIST’s preparation, establishment and operation system. Afterwards, both sides discussed substantive cooperation in project research and staff training.

Mr. HAN Qunli worked on remote sensing and GIS technology applications for digital ecosystem management in the 1980s at CAS. He spoke highly of AIR’s scientific strength and research achievement. Especially in the Wenchuan and Yushu earthquakes, the timely acquisition of high-resolution remote sensing data provided an important scientific basis for action. He pointed out that UNESCO has been attaching great importance to space technology applications in the aspects of natural and cultural heritage, biosphere reserves, wetlands and disaster warning and monitoring, and that UNESCO also needs technical support for member nations and related organizations. He said HIST could provide scientific and technical support for Central Asia and the Asia-Pacific region to carry out international work through the platform of UNESCO.

Mr. HAN Qunli agreed with the suggestions concerning HIST and promoted research and training programs as specific, substantive cooperation. He supposed that HIST’s successful operation will include not only important support for UNESCO’s work, but also support as an efficient communication mechanism for the cooperation between the Natural Sciences Sector and the UNESCO World Heritage Center.

The two sides also discussed science and technology in the field of Earth observation in Central Asia and surrounding areas.


The seminar in session

HIST Deputy Director and Secretary-General Hong Tianhuan (right) presents a souvenir to Mr. Han Qunli (left)