In accordance with direction from the 10th CEOS Plenary NASA and NOAA hosted the first meeting of the CEOS IGOS SIT, under the chairmanship of Dr. Brian Embleton, CSIRO. The rationale for the meeting was: to continue development of the concept of an IGOS; to examine how CEOS could contribute to the space component of such a strategy; and to agree on some early implementation activities. All CEOS members, affiliates, and observers were invited to participate by sending senior representatives who had the authority to commit their organizations to the approachs and actions developed. The International Group of Funding Agencies (IGFA) was invited because of its interests and role in bringing together funding agencies for international global change research programs.

The turnout was excellent, with senior representatives from agencies including NASA, NOAA, ESA, EUMETSAT, DARA, CNES, ASI, BNSC, STA, NASDA, JMA, CSA, INPE, ISRO, CSIRO, as well as the CEOS WGISS, EC, WMO, GCOS, GOOS, CCRS, and IGFA. After opening remarks and a review of the agenda, the members of the SIT organizing committee presented papers on the vision of IGOS, the comparative advantages of an integrated strategic approach, and how CEOS relates to other organizations also involved in global observing systems. Attendees representing international organizations and programs (e.g., Affiliates) were invited to present lessons learned from their experience. In this area, presentations were given from WMO, the IGFA, GCOS, and IGBP.

In discussion among the participants, representatives of international organizations noted that while they did not necessarily have formal authority to commit their agencies in this forum, they welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the discussion. There was reasonable consensus on the goals of an IGOS, which are to provide on one level a strategic framework within which agencies can work to develop specific systems embracing both in-situ and space-based observations, and the need to ensure that value was added, being mindful to avoid increased bureaucracy and complex processes. The process should concentrate on specific improvements that could best be achieved through integrated planning and a strategic approach. It was recognized that some work might begin on a more regional basis and build up to a global capability. Participants expressed views on the criteria to evaluate potential CEOS IGOS-related activities or projects to achieve these goals. These require further refinement at a next meeting. An overriding consideration is the need to have a clearly spelled out user requirement for any area of activity.

A range of proposals was presented and attendees agreed on an initial set of projects for early attention. For each project, a lead user entity and a lead CEOS agency were identified and these were tasked to define a specific implementation plan. Because not all the user leads were present, the CEOS lead agreed to make early contact to confirm their endorsement and commitment to the effort. Without this specific endorsement, no real progress can be made. Among the considerations in selecting the initial project areas was the degree of political and societal importance, the feasibility of early and tangible accomplishments, the clear need for an integrated global strategic approach, and the existence of a CEOS agency and a sponsor/user agency willing to work together in a lead partnership.

The initial projects are briefly summarized below. A two-page description for each project will be developed by the User Agency/CEOS lead team by the end of February 1997. A brief scope paper on the IGOS concept will also be prepared. These papers will be circulated to all user organizations potentially interested in participating with CEOS in the development of an integrated strategy along with a letter from the CEOS Chairman to solicit their input and comments. The CEOS Chairman, along with the chairman of IGFA, in coordination with WMO, will contact the sponsoring agencies of the three Global Observing Systems (ICSU, WMO, IOC, FAO, and UNEP) to propose that CEOS make a presentation on activities and thinking to date at one of their meetings. A senior level IGOS "partners" meeting later this year or early next year was suggested as a potentially useful step in this direction. They will also propose an informal, planning meeting with representatives of these organizations, tentatively in May in Europe to consider how best to move ahead together to address the broader IGOS development to ensure that it is appropriately user driven

The CEOS Analysis Group (AG) was represented in the meeting by its leader, Mr. Haruyama, and the Affiliate "focal point," Mr. Morgan. The AG draft work plan was presented and comments provided by the SIT members. The draft AG work plan includes three meetings: the first in March in Germany, hosted by EUMETSAT; the second in July in Japan, hosted by STA/NASDA, along with an intensive workshop for analysis jointly with GOSSP; and the third in September in the U.S., hosted by NASA/NOAA. The outcome of the AG analysis will be coordinated with the SIT before the CEOS Plenary. The AG draft work plan was endorsed by the SIT members. It was agreed that each IGOS project should define a link to the AG to facilitate the AG's contributions. The AG draft work plan will be modified before the first AG meeting to focus attention on the areas identified for early SIT action. The AG may also take on other tasks as appropriate.