Canada Signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mekong River Commission
Phnom Penh (Cambodia), November 27, 2002 – The Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
and the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing today signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Mekong River Commission (MRC) that will help Canadian
companies working in the environmental and geomatics fields access new
markets.
Created in 1995 the Mekong River Commission, which includes Cambodia, Lao
PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, manages and finances projects of cooperation
between its member countries in all fields of sustainable development
including the utilisation, management and conservation of water.
“With this agreement, the Canadian Space Agency reaffirms its commitment to
support a competitive space industry in the sectors of the environment and
geomatics, while contributing to the social and economic development of
Southeast Asia,” said Marc Garneau, President of the Canadian Space Agency.
“We are proud to join the Canadian Space Agency in this integrated vision of
sustainable development and to share with another part of the world our
leading-edge Canadian geoscience and geospatial data and knowledge,” added
Irwin Itzkovitch, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Earth Sciences Sector of
Natural Resources Canada.
According to Joern Kristensen, Chief Executive of the Mekong River
Commission, the signing of this agreement paves the way for close
collaboration between the MRC and Canada, facilitating the provision of
satellite data and products into the region by Canadian industry.
Canadian remote sensing companies including: Hatfield Consultants, RADARSAT
International, Noetix Research, Aerde Environmental and Geospatial
International as well as the Université de Sherbrooke and the Université du
Québec à Montréal, currently have projects in the region.
The MRC plans to use satellite data to monitor a variety of areas,
including: irrigation for agriculture, fisheries, the management of drainage
basins, maritime transportation, hydroelectricity, the management of
domestic and industrial sewage, disaster management, and tourism.
About the CSA
Established in 1989 with its headquarters situated in Saint-Hubert, Quebec,
the Canadian Space Agency coordinates all aspects of the Canadian Space
Program. Through its Space Knowledge, Applications and Industry Development
business line, the CSA delivers services involving: Earth and the
Environment; Space Science; Human Presence in Space; Satellite
Communications; Space Technology; Space Qualification Services; Space
Awareness and Education. The Canadian Space Agency is at the forefront of
the development and application of space knowledge for the benefit of
Canadians and humanity.
About the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing
The Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) is part of the Earth Sciences
Sector of Natural Resources Canada. Headquartered in Ottawa, CCRS is
internationally recognized for excellence in the use of earth-observation
data. CCRS supports an expanding industry sector including world leaders in
global ground station, image analysis and radar mapping markets. CCRS is
responsible for the reception, processing, archiving and dissemination of
remotely sensed data for Canada. CCRS also provides users with real-time
access to a wide range of geospatial databases through the Internet.
About the Mekong River Commission
The Mekong River Commission is an intergovernmental body created in 1995 by
the governments of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam for regional
cooperation in all fields of sustainable development and management of the
river basin and its resources, with a particular focus on water use and
quality, fisheries, navigation and flood management.
Canadian Space Agency
Monique Billette
Media Relations
Tel.: + 1 450 926 4370
Monique.Billette@espace.gc.ca
Canada Centre for Remote Sensing
Willy Bruce
Media Relations
Tel.: + 1 613-996-2648
willy.bruce@ccrs.rncan.gc.ca
Mekong River Commission
Delia Paul
Media Relations
Tel.: (855-23) 720 979
delia@mrcmekong.org
