The new name of the European GMES Programme (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) was announced on 16 September 2008 during the Lille forum. The European Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen (right) revealed the new name, Kopernikus, at the opening session. A press conference followed. Other members of the panel are Philippe Busquin, European Deputy (left), and Valerie Pecresse, French Minister for Higher Education and Research.