To construct a platform for world wide scholars, experts and entrepreneurs to exchange ideas about the conceptualization, relevant theories and technologies, and applications and potentials of Digital Earth, China initiated the first International Symposium on Digital Earth in 1999, and the "Beijing Declaration on Digital Earth" was announced at that time, suggesting to held the Digital Earth Symposium biannually in rotated countries. Since then, a series of symposia were held in Canada, the Czech Republic, Japan, and the United States in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 respectively. A Digital Earth Summit on Sustainability was held in New Zealand in 2006.

At the second Executive Committee meeting of the International Society for Digital Earth, the proposal of hosting the 6th ISDE by Chinese representative was approved. Please keep an eye on the ISDE website for further information.

On behalf of the International Society for Digital Earth, we welcome all of you to join us to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the International Symposium on Digital Earth. Your participants will make the symposium a great success.

ISDE Secretariat