Country Engagement activities of the GFOI R&D Coordination Component focuses on enhancing the use of novel Earth Observation data in national decision-making related to the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector. It supports countries in aligning the use of global EO products with their national priorities, fosters the exchange of practical experiences across regions, and translates country-identified needs into actionable recommendations for the GFOI R&D workplan.

Engagement activities under CCN-1 (July 2025 – June 2026) included a global R&D Needs Analysis Survey, in-depth country interviews with eight national institutions across Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean, and active participation in regional technical workshops. Findings from these activities are synthesised in the report below and fed directly into the GFOI R&D priorities for 2026–2028.

R&D Needs Analysis and Recommendations (2025–2026)
The 2025–2026 GFOI R&D Country Engagement Report presents the findings of the global R&D Needs Analysis Survey, a synthesis of R&D needs for monitoring forest-based carbon removals, and a set of six recommendations for the GFOI R&D Coordination Group. A central finding across all country interactions is the near-universal gap in removals accounting within national forest monitoring systems, and the need for GFOI-endorsed operational guidance to address it.

Download Report (PDF)

The findings were presented at the GFOI R&D Exchange on 16 June 2026, presentations and resources available here.

AFOLU Success Stories
Three success stories documenting the use of Earth Observation in national forest monitoring systems, in Sudan, Mexico, and Cambodia, are currently being finalized for publication through CEOS. Links will be made available here once published.

Contact

Sylvia Wilson, Wilpa Capacity Development

Daniela Requena Suarez, GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences