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decade, acquiring data from satellites launched by both 
regional and non - regional countries. However it is still 
found in many cases that it is not the lack of these 
facilities that is impeding the application of remote 
sensing, but the high recurrent cost of image purchase. 
In these circumstances, it is suggested, that urgent 
international consideration be given to the provision of 
data at as low cost of possible. Provision of data could 
well be considered as a continuing form of aid from the 
developed countries. It is further suggested that within 
countries, remote sensing data should be distributed and 
available at little or no cost recovery, being treated by 
government in the same manner as support for 
infrastructure. As yet these policies have not been 
implemented throughout the Asian region. 
It is considered that institutional issues cannot be 
adequately assessed until the formal and informal 
networks operating in a country are fully understood and 
strengthened. This seen to be best addressed by the 
establishment of national coordinating committees to 
facilitate and coordinate the introduction of remote 
sensing technology. The membership of these 
committees should consist of representatives of user 
agencies or potential users agencies, including the 
public, private and education sectors. In addition it is 
considered that these persons should include both users 
and policy makers, who control the source of funds. The 
major role of these national committees should be to 
facilitate the promotion of a nationally integrated policy 
supported by a master plan for the phased introduction 
of remote sensing technology. National committees 
have been established in most of the countries of the 
Asian region, however the level of commitment of 
governments to them and the advice they provide, is 
somewhat varied, and thus their positive influence has 
not been fully exploited. 
It is considered that part of the role of a national 
committee is to develop an awareness of the benefits of 
remote sensing at all levels of government and the 
community. In the Asian region such awareness has 
been developed through education and training 
programs, public relations and the demonstration of 
current remote sensing technology . and products. 
Activities that have been suggested or implemented in 
the region include: í 
- the production and distribution of national or regional 
newsletters or journals. (Prime examples of these are 
the UNDP ESCAP publication, and the book, 
"Applications of Remote Sensing in Asia and 
Oceania" published by the Asian Association on 
Remote Sensing) 
- the development and utilization of contacts with media 
representatives 
- technical and regional cooperation 
- the development and presentation of awareness 
workshops for appropriate government, private, and 
educational decision makers 
- the development of audio - visual and demonstration 
material for distribution to appropriate persons‘ and 
agencies } 
- the establishment of comprehensive and appropriate 
educational programs, from secondary to graduate 
levels 
- the establishment of joint research programs both in - 
country and internationally 
- the establishment of a regional network of user 
groups 
277 
4. CONCLUSIONS 
The Asian Association on Remote Sensing and the 
annual conference it supports has been a major stimulus 
to the growth and promotion of remote sensing in the 
region. The problems and solutions arising from the 
plenary sessions "How to Promote Remote Sensing in 
Developing Countries" conducted at these conferences, 
have been summarised, with a view to providing advice 
and support to other regions of the world. 
REFERENCES 
Proceedings of the Annual Conferences of the Asian 
Association on Remote Sensing, 1980 - 1991.