This event takes place under the EU-Philippines partnership on Copernicus, the EU’s earth observation programme for disaster risk management, environmental protection, and climate change adaptation. Copernicus is part of the European Union’s Global Gateway, the EU’s strategy for promoting investments working with global partners towards shared priorities such as the transition to a green economy and the advancement of digital infrastructure, among others. 

“Earth monitoring is more vital than ever, especially for a disaster-prone country like the Philippines. In this workshop the European Union brings its experts to the Philippine peers to share expertise and learn from each other, with the objective to enhance our joint resilience to climate change”, said EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro.   

Secretary Robert Borje of the Climate Change Commission and officials from the  Department of National Defense and from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will keynote the workshop; while Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), and Director General Joel Joseph Marciano of the Philippine Space Agency will provide an overview of the challenges in the Philippines, and the roles of DoST and the Philippine Space Agency, on disaster risk reduction.

Background Notes: 

The EU Global Gateway supports the transition to a green and digital economy. In the Philippines, Global Gateway is promoting the green economy to unlock major economic opportunities brought by a circular economy, clean energy, and green skills, leaving no one behind.

Through this initiative, the EU established the first ever Copernicus data centre in South-East Asia, to process and use live earth observation data stemming from a constellation of around twenty European satellites and ground stations, to increase preparedness for natural disasters, variations in climate, and environmental changes. Copernicus provides accurate, timely and easily accessible information to improve the management of the environment, and to understand and mitigate the effects of climate change. The EU has a long history of utilisation of Copernicus technology in a multitude of application areas. This offers excellent opportunities for replication of best practices and experience, and know-how and skills sharing with the Philippines, complementing already strong existing local capacities in the area of earth observation and disaster management.