The CEOS Strategic Implementation Team (SIT) was created in 1996 to advance the involvement of CEOS in the development of the Integrated Global Observing System (IGOS). The SIT is comprised of CEOS Member Principals and some Associates with the authority to commit agency support to initiatives as they unfold. With the integration of IGOS Themes into GEO, the SIT now plays a central role in coordination of existing and future missions of CEOS agencies, particularly to support GEO in its realization of the space segment of GEOSS. The SIT’s objective is to define, characterize, and develop the vision for CEOS participation in GEO and in particular, to strengthen the CEOS linkages to GEOSS. The SIT is currently engaged in objectively defining and prioritizing a series of “actionable” actions and demonstrated results that will support corresponding GEO Societal Benefit Area (SBA) Tasks. For each of the GEO Tasks that CEOS contributes to, key CEOS actions have been identified with a direct traceability established. The SIT places strong emphasis on progressing GEO Tasks and has achieved commitments from CEOS agencies to conduct the assigned tasks. The SIT is preparing to focus on observational gaps and overlaps in close coordination with GEO. The SIT leads CEOS Virtual Constellation development and implementation activities as described in the CEOS IP. NASA is currently serving as the 2012-2013 SIT Chair to be followed for a two-year term by CNES, the current SIT Vice-Chair.

View the SIT Terms of Reference.

IGOS Partnership
The Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) Partnership created in 1998 was dissolved at its final IGOS P-15 meeting at UNESCO in Paris in May, 2008. The Partnership expressed satisfaction with the way the transition of the IGOS Themes* into the international Group on Earth Observations (GEO) had been handled at the GEO-IV Plenary in 2007. The GEO Secretariat continues to support the further integration of the Themes into GEO and, where appropriate, their migration into Communities of Practice. One of the main thrusts for the Themes is to widen their scope from scientific requirements for observations to broader applications, with the aim of supporting Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) implementation. More information on GEO activities and initiatives toward achieving the GEOSS can be found at http://earthobservations.org/index.shtml.