NEWS
On December 2-4, 2025, the 3rd Youth Innovation Forum on Digital Earth, also known as the Joint ISPRS-ISDE conference on Geo-Digitalization for Sustainable Development Goals, was held in Nairobi, Kenya. Embracing the theme "Innovation and Future Trends in Geo-digitalization for Sustainable Development", this Forum gathered over 100 delegates including thinkers, innovators, and changemakers in the field of Digital Earth from more than 15 countries and regions. The Forum offered an open platform for young researchers to exchange fresh ideas on emerging geo-digital approaches and opportunities. This year marks its first edition in Africa, opening a new window for deepening South–South cooperation.
Opening ceremony
The Forum was co-organized by the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE), the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), and KCA University, Kenya, and hosted by the ISDE – Young Scientist Innovation Network (ISDE-YSIN) and ISPRS ICWG IV, WG IV and WG III.
At the opening ceremony on December 2, Dr. Simon Mwendia, Dean of the School of Technology at KCA University, and Prof. Lucy Waruguru, Dean of Research, Innovation & Outreach at KCA University and Chair of this Forum, delivered welcoming remarks. Prof. Vincent Onywera, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Outreach at KCA University, and Prof. Changlin Wang, Vice President of the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE), gave opening remarks. Mr. Weldon Maritim, Director of Surveys at the State Department for Lands & Physical Planning of Kenya, delivered remarks on behalf of Hon. Generali Nixon Korir C.B.S, Principal Secretary of the Department. Prof. Isaiah I.C. Wakindiki, Vice Chancellor & CEO of KCA University, sent a written address extending his warm greetings to the Forum.
Mr. Weldon Maritim emphasized that geospatial technologies are a powerful force driving innovation, identifying how governance operate, how planners make plans, how ecosystems evolve, and how public services are delivered for the common good. He reiterated the importance of public trust and transparency as essential pillars of accountable management. He also expressed strong interest in the development of ISDE, noting that it provides a unique platform where cutting-edge ideas from around the world can be openly shared, and expressing willingess of forging collaborations with ISDE in the future.
Mr. Weldon Maritim addressed the opening
Prof. Changlin Wang highlighted the close collaboration between ISDE and ISPRS since the signing of the bilateral MoU in June 2022, believing that this Forum is a strong testimony to their partnership. In outlining ISDE’s core work, he reaffirmed that Digital Earth technologies can play a transformative role at the global, regional, and local scales in advancing the SDGs. He also expressed ISDE’s readiness to work closely with African scientists and partners, and to provide academic platforms that further deepen engagement with African scholars.
ISDE Vice President Changlin Wang delivered remarks
Following the opening ceremony, the Forum immediately delved into its first keynote speech. Prof. Jianya Gong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Professor of Wuhan University, delivered a keynote on High Accuracy Real-Time Intelligent Remote Sensing Satellite Technologies and Applications.
Academician Jianya Gong pointed out that current satellite remote sensing technology struggles to meet real-time user needs due to its multi-step delayed processing system. In response, he analyzed the necessity of developing real-time remote sensing satellites and summarized three key core technologies, introducing the plan and progress of the real-time intelligent remote sensing monitoring system, Oriental Smart Eye constellation, which is being established by Wuhan University and Shandong Province.
Academician Jianya Gong delivered a keynote
The other keynote speeches continued over the subsequent two days, featuring Prof. Alexander Zipf, GIScientist from Heidelberg University, Germany, Chair of the GIScience Group and Head of HeiGIT, on December 3, and Dr. Waswa Rose, Project Manager at Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) on behalf of the Center’s Director General Dr. Emmanuel Nkurunziza, on December 4, who spoke on the potential of VGI for Geo-digitalization for Sustainable Development and the role of A Modern Land Administration System for SDGs in Africa Countries, respectively.
The Forum also featured a series of parallel workshops covering topics in geospatial science and AI applications, including Next-Gen Disaster Management, Artificial Intelligence for Epidemic Control and Mapping Urban Resilience through Drone & OpenStreetMap (featuring both indoor sessions and outdoor field mapping) followed by a post-Forum session y on December 5 focusing on practical mapping & 3D building data generation. These workshops provided hands-on training, fostered interdisciplinary dialogue and strengthened practical collaboration in Digital Earth technologies for sustainable development.
In total, 62 papers were submitted to the Forum, and 55 oral presentations were delivered across 9 presentation sessions and 4 workshops, along with one half-day tutorial themed "Satellite SAR interferometry for deformation monitoring". The sessions covered 12 topics, including Urban Sensing and Intelligent Governance, GeoAI Foundations & Data Infrastructure, Atmosphere, Emissions & Exposure, Geospatial Solutions for Sustainable Resource Management and others.
Participants of the 3rd Youth Innovation Forum on Digital Earth
To recognize and reward outstanding young scientists in the Digital Earth field who propose influential concepts and innovative technologies with societal and environmental impact, the ISDE Young Scientist Award 2025 was conferred upon Prof. Wei Luo from the National University of Singapore, Singapore, and Prof. Kai Cao from East China Normal University, China.
The International Society for Digital Earth – Young Scientist Innovation Network (ISDE-YSIN), launched on May 26, 2023, aims to empower young scientists in the field of Digital Earth. The Network serves to promote crucial concepts and innovative technologies related to Digital Earth, while also making contributions to the global sustainable development. It organizes the annual conference series Youth Innovation Forum on Digital Earth and the ISDE Lecture on Digital Earth Youth Innovation, with the objective of building a youth-driven academic sharing and collaboration platform with international influence.
The Youth Innovation Forum on Digital Earth is an annual conference that serves as a vibrant hub for communication and collaboration among young scientists in the Digital Earth field. The 1st Forum was held on August 21-23, 2023 in Beijing, China, attracting more than 160 participants from 13 countries. The 2nd edition was held on December 4–7, 2024, in Hong Kong, China with nearly 500 participants from 18 countries and regions.
