The Role of Big Earth Data for the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Central Asia

Abstract

This article explores ongoing environmental, social, and economic challenges facing Central Asia in the context of the implementation of the SDGs. Moreover, it identifies some of the initiatives related to ongoing Big Earth Data projects in Central Asia and potential interlinkages with the Big Earth Data Platform of the BRI. The consequences of not fully understanding regional environmental changes in Central Asia based on robust data sources are severe. Regional security, economic growth, and overall well-being of citizens residing in Central Asia are directly linked with the sustainable use of cultural and natural resources. Therefore, the benefits of participating in the Science Plan are substantial. In order for the Belt and Road Science Plan to be effective, however, it not only needs to help build technical infrastructure and professional capacities within Central Asian countries, but it must also deal with the issue of trust between the Chinese government and Central Asian states. Knowledge platforms such as the Big Earth Data Platform of the BRI require trustful relationships with dependencies and shared responsibilities between partners in Central Asian countries. Ethics and security concerns regarding how this data will be used and interpreted must also be openly presented to potential contributors. Moreover, outreach should be made by its creators to ensure that points of collaboration are identified and synergies created between ongoing initiatives in the region. Central Asia’s participation in the Science Plan would be beneficial not only to stakeholders in Central Asian countries but also to the Chinese government as the region holds a rich array of natural resources ranging from oil and gas to rare earth metals. This article describes all of these issues in detail. It is the hope of the authors that readers will obtain a richer understand of the value of big earth data in the implementation of the SDGs in Central Asia and how the DBAR Science Plan and subsequent Big Earth Data Platform could prove to be a useful tool for integrated system’s thinking for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals if concerns of stakeholders are addressed in an open and transparent way.