It is my great honor and pleasure to welcome you to attend the International Conference on Earth Observations and Social Impacts (ICEO&SI). This conference is jointly hosted by National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) and Taiwan Group on Earth Observations (TGEO). On behalf of TGEO, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to NCKU for the excellent preparation of the program, venue and many festive activities. Meanwhile, I appreciate very much the sponsors of the ICEO&SI, who make it possible for gathering us here. Last but not the least, I appreciate all of the participants who make the gathering meaningful and fruitful.

    The ICEO&SI was initiated by the TGEO in 2010 and has becoming an annual platform for the people who care about the sustainable development of the earth to exchange and share knowledge and experiences; essentially to find the solutions to resolve the threats the human beings are facing nowadays; and to provide the solutions to the policy makers for further actions. Nine areas of critical importance to the sustainability of global environment and societal welfare of our concerns include Natural Disasters, Health, Energy, Climate Change, Ecosystems, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Water Resources, and Meteorology, which are of great concern by the people, governments, and private sectors, as well as the Group on Earth Observations.

    In the past year, the TGEO devoted her efforts to promoting international relationships, and to increasing her international visibility and influence: taking part in many major international conferences and meetings, such as World Water Forum held in Marseille, APEC Seminar held in Taipei, GEOSS Asia-Pacific Symposium held in Tokyo, IEEE IGARS held in Munich, …etc; becoming a member of Asia-Pacific Water Forum; signing Memorandum of Understanding with The Korea Association of Geographic Information Studies (KAGIS); and appointing distinguished scholars as the society advisors, including Dr. Shaw-Chen Liu, Academician, Academia Sinica, and Prof. Ming-Hsi Hsu, President, National United University. As president of TGEO, I assure you that we will continue to support the ICEO&SI as a great platform for the world scientific leaders to discuss and exchange innovative ideas to advance the crucial knowledge, techniques and solutions for human beings. The ICEO&SI 2014 will be jointly held by National United University. The TGEO will sustain her contributions to our society, our country, and the globe.

    Finally, on behalf of TGEO, I hereby express my wholehearted thanks to all the organizers and everyone who contributes efforts to this conference. I wish all the participants a very pleasant stay at this ancient city Tainan, and overall success of the ICEO&SI 2013.