About GEO

The United States is a founding member of the intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO) located in Geneva, Switzerland. GEO is dedicated to improving the availability, access, and use of Earth observations to benefit society. GEO helps organize efforts to coordinate observations from thousands of ground, airborne, in situ, and space-based instruments, deploy them in user-driven applications while pursuing promotion of full and open data sharing globally. A key element of GEO’s vision is an integrated Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

Established in 2005, GEO is a voluntary partnership of governments and organizations that envisions "a future wherein decisions and actions for the benefit of humankind are informed by coordinated, comprehensive and sustained Earth observations and information." GEO membership includes over 100 Member nations, over 100 Participating Organizations comprised of international bodies with a mandate in Earth observations, and a growing number of Associates comprised of commercial and non-governmental, not-for-profit and civil society organizations joining governments and international organizations as official GEO collaborators.