The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) recently unveiled the Copernicus Data Centre, a key milestone in the EU Global Gateway strategy. Located in Quezon City, this facility is the first of its kind in Asia and will serve as a hub for Earth observation data processing and storage. The launch event, held on 18 October 2024, marked the beginning of the Copernicus programme’s pilot services tailored to the Philippines’ needs, including monitoring ground movement, land cover, and marine environments.
This initiative, part of the EU-funded EUR 10 million (USD 10.5 million) CopPhil programme, will enhance the Philippines’ capacity to utilize satellite data for disaster preparedness, resource management, and environmental protection. The data centre positions the Philippines as a regional leader in space technology and offers significant potential for collaboration across Southeast Asia.
The Copernicus programme also supports global sustainability goals, including the Paris Agreement’s climate targets. With future expansions in the region and opportunities for private-sector involvement, the Copernicus Data Centre is set to drive innovation and foster international cooperation in Earth observation.
