The Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), through its Space Applications Centre for Climate Sciences (SACCS), will host the Second Regional Symposium on the theme “Space4Climate – Snow Cover Assessment, Glacier Dynamics, GLOF Monitoring, Forestry, Air Quality/Environment and Waterways Dynamics”, on 05 August 2026 at Ramada Hotel, Gilgit.
It will bring together policymakers, scientists, researchers, development partners, academia, and industry leaders to explore the transformative role of space technologies in addressing Pakistan’s climate challenges.
Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing increasing risks from floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), droughts, heatwaves, deforestation, deteriorating air quality, and changing weather patterns.
Against this backdrop, the symposium underscores the growing importance of indigenous space capabilities in providing timely, accurate, and actionable information for climate adaptation and risk reduction.
The timing of this symposium is particularly significant in light of the increasing frequency and severity of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) events across the Hindu Kush–Himalayan (HKH) region.
Home to the world’s largest concentration of glaciers outside the polar regions, the HKH is experiencing accelerated glacier retreat due to rising temperatures, resulting in the rapid formation and expansion of glacial lakes.
Pakistan, particularly Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, remains highly vulnerable to these cascading hazards, which threaten lives, livelihoods, critical infrastructure, and water security.
As climate risks continue to intensify, the symposium provides a timely platform to strengthen regional collaboration and demonstrate how satellite-based Earth observation, continuous glacier monitoring, and geospatial analytics can support early warning systems, risk assessment, and informed decision-making for enhanced climate resilience.
The symposium will serve as a national platform for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange on the use of satellite-based Earth observation, geospatial technologies, and climate intelligence to strengthen evidence-based policymaking, enhance disaster resilience, and support sustainable development.
A key highlight of the symposium will be the presentation on Space4Climate, SUPARCO’s national climate intelligence initiative and a live demonstration of Climate Portals that leverages Pakistan’s satellite assets, including PRSS-1 and hyperspectral satellite capabilities, to monitor essential climate variables and environmental indicators.
The initiative delivers near real-time information on greenhouse gases, air quality, glaciers, GLOF, forests, water resources, land cover, coastal ecosystems, and other climate-sensitive domains, supporting informed decision-making at national and provincial levels.
The symposium aligns with national climate priorities while supporting global commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
It also reflects SUPARCO’s continued commitment to harnessing space science and technology for peaceful applications that contribute to national development and environmental sustainability.