26 May 1987

14th Plenary Meeting

New techniques, including remote sensing, for identifying, exploring for and assessing natural resources

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 1985/50 of 25 July 1985 on the application of microcomputer technology in the development of water, energy and mineral resources,

Recalling also General Assembly resolution 41/65 of 3 December 1986 on principles relating to remote sensing of the Earth from outer space,

Recognizing that in order to optimize utilization of satellite remote sensing developing countries require facilities and better access to data through an information referral system containing information on remote sensing data and on how to gain access to such data,

Considering that developing countries need to be apprised of the limitations and opportunities of commercial and non-commercial hardware and software systems for digital processing of remote sensing data and of procedures for obtaining access to such systems,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General entitled "Application of microcomputer technology in the assessment, planning and development of natural resources: water, energy and mineral resources",

1. Takes note of the conclusions and recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare, within existing resources, a feasibility study on the establishment of an information referral system, showing area, coverage, type of data, quality, and how and where to secure imagery and other relevant information that can guide users in the most efficient way to obtain remote sensing data, and to submit that study to the Committee on Natural Resources at its eleventh session;

3. Also requests the Secretary-General to establish, within existing resources, a remote sensing library and referral system to provide users with guidance on available commercial and non-commercial hardware and software systems for digital processing and analysis of remote sensing data;

4. Further requests the Secretary-General to convene, within existing resources, a meeting of a small group of experts in hardware and software systems for remote sensing to assess properly the constraints and capabilities of such systems and provide the Committee and user countries, especially developing countries, with the results of that technology assessment meeting.