Sixth Intergovernmental Plenary for the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), Washington, DC

国际地球观测组织正在协调建立全球对地观测分布式系统（GEOSS）的努力。这一系统的系统将积极主动地将世界各地现有的和计划中的观测系统联系起来，并支持在目前存在差距的地方开发新的系统。它将促进共同的技术标准，以便将来自数千种不同仪器的数据合并成连贯的数据集。GEOPortal为寻求与地球仪所有地区有关的数据、图像和分析软件包的用户提供了一个单一的因特网接入点。它将用户与现有的数据库和门户网站连接起来，并提供对决策者、规划者和应急管理人员的工作至关重要的可靠、最新和用户友好的信息。它提供了一个框架，这些合作伙伴可以在其中开发新项目并协调其战略和投资。截至2009年9月，地球观测组织的成员包括80个国家政府和欧洲联盟委员会。此外，56个在地球观测或相关问题方面负有任务的政府间、国际和区域组织被确认为参与组织。GEO由全体成员和参与组织组成的年度全体会议管理。它是地球观测组织的主要决策机构。美国通过美国总统国家科学技术理事会的一个小组委员会（USGEO）代表美国，该小组委员会由两个白宫办公室和14个美国部门和联邦机构组成。国家科学基金会作为美国地球观测组织的共同主席机构，正在为美国地球观测组织提供支持，为即将于2009年11月17日和18日在哥伦比亚特区华盛顿举行的第六次全球环境展望全体会议提供规划和后勤支持。

The international Group on Earth Observations is coordinating efforts to build a Global Earth Observation System of Systems, or GEOSS. This system of systems will proactively link together existing and planned observing systems around the world and support the development of new systems where gaps currently exist. It will promote common technical standards so that data from the thousands of different instruments can be combined into coherent data sets. The GEOPortal offers a single Internet access point for users seeking data, imagery and analytical software packages relevant to all parts of the globe. It connects users to existing data bases and portals and provides reliable, up-to-date and user friendly information vital for the work of decision makers, planners and emergency managers.GEO is a voluntary partnership of governments and international organizations. It provides a framework within which these partners can develop new projects and coordinate their strategies and investments. As of September 2009, GEO's members include 80 Governments and the European Commission. In addition, 56 intergovernmental, international, and regional organizations with a mandate in Earth observation or related issues have been recognized as Participating Organizations. GEO is governed by annual Plenary consisting of all Members and Participating Organizations. It is the GEO's primary decision-making body. The USA is represented through the (USGEO), a subcommittee of the U.S. President's National Science and Technology Council, comprising two White House offices and fourteen U.S. departments and federal agencies. The NSF, as a co-chair agency of USGEO, is contributing support to the United States Group on Earth Observations (USGEO) for planning and logistical support for the upcoming GEO-VI Plenary in Washington, DC, November 17 and 18, 2009.