Trinidad and Tobago to Benefit from the EU’s Copernicus Earth Observation Programme
February 2, 2026: Trinidad and Tobago will be able to fully implement and utilize the European Union’s Copernicus Earth Observation services as a result of a new collaboration between the EU and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.
The partnership was officially launched at the opening of a five-day workshop involving government ministries and key stakeholder agencies. The workshop aims to build national capacity by equipping participants with the knowledge and skills needed to access, interpret, and apply Copernicus satellite data in support of Trinidad and Tobago’s development priorities.
Copernicus, a core component of the EU Space Programme, uses satellite technology to monitor the Earth’s land, oceans, and atmosphere. It provides essential data for climate change monitoring, environmental management, emergency response, and civil security.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, EU Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Cécile Tassin, welcomed the collaboration, stating that, “combatting the vulnerabilities posed by the climate crisis while delivering prosperity remains essential, and Earth Observation data from Copernicus can play a key role in strengthening this resilience.”
According to the Minister of Finance, The Honourable Davendranath Tancoo, “This initiative is directly aligned with the Government's National Development Strategy, as it specifically falls under our Fourth Strategic Pillar: Modernising Infrastructure, Transport, and Digital Services. By moving toward an open data model, we are modernizing the State, improving accountability, and using technology to deliver better outcomes.” The Minister further added, “we extend our heartfelt thanks to the European Union as a long-standing ally. Your continued support remains a cornerstone of Trinidad and Tobago’s journey toward a sustainable and digital future.
The Government views this collaboration as far more than a technical exchange; rather, it is a strategic partnership cementing our ability to build a truly resilient economy”.
As Europe’s flagship Earth observation programme, Copernicus delivers open-access data and services that support informed decision-making across a wide range of sectors, including environmental protection, urban planning, health, security, and sustainable development. These insights enable governments and communities to better understand and respond to both local and global challenges.
The Copernicus programme also supports the EU’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda, which promotes fair, green, and digital investments through partnerships with countries worldwide. The data from Copernicus is free of cost and free for use, creating a data infrastructure that promotes investment and supports industry, in combination with the Copernicus Services, it provides. By providing data data-driven insights, Copernicus can help to identify strategic investment and cooperation opportunities between the EU and Trinidad and Tobago.
Global Gateway is implemented through a “Team Europe” approach, bringing together the EU, its member states, development finance institutions such as the European Investment Bank, and other public funding sources. Working alongside the private sector, Team Europe supports sustainable development initiatives around the world.