Dr. Shirish Ravan is a globally recognized expert in the application of space and geospatial technologies for sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, and planetary defence. With a career spanning over 30 years, he has made significant impact at the intersection of space science, policy, and grassroots development. He spent 18 years in senior leadership roles at the United Nations, contributing to UN-SPIDER (Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response) and UN-COPUOS (Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space). During this time, he led policy advocacy and technical advisory missions across 70+ countries, shaping international frameworks and capacities for disaster resilience, biodiversity conservation, and food security. Before his UN tenure, Dr. Ravan served for 12 years with prominent Indian organizations including ISRO, C-DAC, and other national scientific institutions—where he developed core expertise in satellite remote sensing and environmental modelling. He currently leads the Earth Sight Foundation, focusing on sustainable development through community-level interventions, environmental monitoring, and policy action rooted in space-based insights.