Stepping Towards Economic Sustainability through Spatial Data Services

Scope of Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS)

Realizing the importance of Remote sensing technology in national development activities, Asian countries have formed an association on remote sensing in Asia to discuss share and developed expertise in the field of Geo information handling and management all over the world. Membership of Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS) is limited to Asia and near Asian countries in which Sri Lanka is founder member. Survey Department of which is National Mapping organization also functions as a national Centre for Remote sensing in Sri Lanka and an Ordinary member of AARS.

In the spirit of mutual cooperation the first Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS) was held in Bangkok, Thailand in November 1980. ACRS is a prestigious annual event organized by AARS and the host country, and held in rotation within the Asia Pacific region to promote Remote Sensing in the region. ACRS was previously held in Sri Lanka in 1983, 1996, 2008 and 2016. The Asian countries/ regions which are expected to participate in this conference are: Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brunei, China, India, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan and Sri Lanka. France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, UK, USA and the United Nations ESCAP representative. Approximately 300 foreign participants and the 200 local participants attend the conference which is held annually in one of Asian countries. The last conference of ACRS held in Sri Lanka was in the year 2016. Duration of the conference is 5 day from Monday to Friday. Hosting the ACRS in Sri Lanka will benefit the country immensely in promoting Remote Sensing activities in Sri Lanka and also attract International and national attention which in no doubt would Flourish tourism  in Sri Lanka.

Mr. W. Sudath L.C. Perera

SURVEYOR GENERAL , SURVEY DEPARTMENT OF SRI LANKA

Distinguished Delegates and Guests, Our warm welcome to remote sensing and spatial information sciences enthusiasts attending to the 2024 Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS 2024) with great appreciation. It's wonderful to hear that the ACRS is jointly hosted by the Sri Lanka Survey Department (SLSD) with the Asian Association on Remote Sensing (AARS), making it a significant international conference in Asia.

Hosting the conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a testament to the country's commitment to the field of remote sensing and its contributions to the ACRS. With a history of hosting ACRS since 2008, it's clear that Sri Lanka is dedicated to provide a fruitful symposium and extending its warm hospitality to all participants. Such conferences play a vital role in advancing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and addressing important global challenges through remote sensing and spatial information sciences.

It's indeed fascinating to see how remote sensing technology, along with spatial information sciences, is playing a pivotal role in addressing global issues related to disasters, pollution, climate change, resource management, and environmental degradation. These technologies have significantly improved our understanding of the world and are essential for ensuring environmental sustainability.

The integration of modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep learning into remote sensing is reshaping research approaches. AI can analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, helping researchers to make more informed decisions. Presently the clean and renewable energy sources are essential for achieving net-zero emissions, addressing climate change concerns. The Internet of Things (IoT) is connecting the world through autonomous and collaborative devices, offering new ways to collect and share data for environmental monitoring and management. Unmanned and robotic vehicles have the potential to revolutionize transportation and data collection in remote or hazardous areas.

Conferences like ACRS 2024 plays a crucial role in highlighting these innovative developments and providing a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing. The combination of space-borne, airborne, and ground-based instrumentation, along with advanced computational techniques, offers the potential to enhance our knowledge about the Earth rapidly and accurately. This multidisciplinary approach is essential in addressing the complex environmental challenges we face today.

As a leading Government Organization in remote sensing and geosciences in Sri Lanka, SLSD has been a long active partner in the associated communities. With a history of 223 years and a strong reputation, SLSD has undoubtedly made substantial contributions to these domains. Hosting the ACRS 2024 conference in Sri Lanka is an excellent opportunity to showcase the country's achievements and capabilities in these fields. I'm sure that the participants will benefit from the symposium and enjoy their stay in Sri Lanka. Such conferences play a crucial role in knowledge sharing, collaboration, and advancements in remote sensing and geosciences.