The European Commission's 'GMES Bureau' was proposed jointly by Vice-President Verheugen, Research Commissioner Potočnik and Environment Commissioner Dimas with the primary objective of developing a federated and structured demand for Earth Observation (EO) data and information and ensuring the delivery of fast track EO services by 2008.

At the same time, the Bureau is also pushing forward on medium-term issues such as the GMES governance structure and longer-term financial sustainability.

Ultimately, the Bureau's tasks will include developing proposals for managing GMES service provision beyond the Commission. This will include other EU institutions and bodies, Member States and intergovernmental organisations such as ESA, EUMETSAT, and EUSC.

The structure of the Bureau is unique, gathering staff from the Commission's Directorates-General for Enterprise and Industry, Research, Environment, Information Society, Agriculture, Rural Development, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, as well as the Joint Research Centre.

Through its conceptual and technical expertise, the GMES Bureau can properly identify the needs and coordinate the GMES related activities of the whole Commission. 
 

Commission Decision creating a Bureau for GMES

Interview with the GMES Bureau Head