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 United University (NUU) and Taiwan Group on Earth Observations (TGEO). On behalf of TGEO, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to NUU 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 become 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. Ten 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, Meteorology and related industries, which are of great concern by the people, governments, and private sectors, as well as the Group on Earth Observations.

    Last 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 the Kick-off Meeting for 7th World Water Forum held in Korea, 13th Governing Council Meeting of Asia-Pacific Water Forum in Singapore; becoming a member of Asia-Pacific Water Forum; having a bilateral meeting with The Korea Association of Geographic Information Studies (KAGIS) and sending young delegates to their conference in Jeju; 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 TGEO will sustain her contributions to our society, our country, and the globe.

With the success of ICEO&SI 2013 jointly co-hosted by National Cheng Kung University, more than 250 academics, researchers, engineers and students from 15 countries all had wonderful stays in Tainan. All in all, 104 papers were presented in 12 sessions including 5 keynote speeches, 56 oral papers and 43 posters, which turned into publications including special issues on 2 SCI journals (Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and Advances in Meteorology). Therefore, I believe ICEO&SI 2014 will inherit the successful experience and bring every participant a better scenario of international symposium.

    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 Miaoli, and overall success of the ICEO&SI 2014.

Dr. Yuei-An Liou
Distinguished Professor, National Central University
President, Taiwan Group on Earth Observations (TGEO)