OBSERVER: Shaping EU Space Diplomacy with Copernicus
OBSERVER: Shaping EU Space Diplomacy with Copernicus
nee@spacetec.p…
Thu, 24/11/2022 – 11:34
Space Diplomacy can be defined as the integration of knowledge, innovation and regulation between nations for a better application of and co-existence in space. Given the EU’s strategic interests in the domain, what are the tools at its disposal to position itself as an influential player in the space domain?
Copernicus as a global data provider enabling cooperation
Copernicus fosters international cooperation thanks to both its ability to tackle global challenges and its free, full and open data policy. Having been specifically designed to meet user requirements, Copernicus services deliver near-real-time data at a local, regional and global level. These data help support a variety of applications in several non-space domains which positively impact governments and organisations in their day-to-day operations. Serving a wide range of sectors, such as agriculture, climate change, energy, security, defence, health, tourism, transport and urban planning, Copernicus data has proven itself instrumental in terms of planning and emergency response. Copernicus has already supported non-EU countries to use its services when disaster strikes. For example, the Copernicus Emergency Management Service’s (CEMS) Rapid Mapping component has been activated to monitor the consequences of floods in Belize (EMSR639), Pakistan (EMSR631) and Australia (EMSR637), as well as in the wake of earthquakes in Iran (EMSR585) and in Afghanistan (EMSR584).
Delineation map showing the flood delineation in the area of Khipro, Pakistan
(Credit: European Union, Copernicus EMS, 2022)
These collaborations have played a growing role in the EU’s bilateral relations with international partners and in the advancing of the Union’s diplomatic ambitions. Copernicus Cooperation Arrangements are one of the main Copernicus-related tools which can provide added value to the EU and its partner countries. In fact, collaboration on data processing and integration of third-party data (including in situ data) into the Copernicus data system, as well as data assimilation into models and products of the Copernicus services are already ongoing. Thus, on the basis of reciprocity, these actions create the conditions for integrating the data and information acquired by international partners into the Earth Observation (EO) data management system in Europe. These efforts also allow for the promotion of the uptake of Copernicus data globally which represent important steppingstones for the role that Copernicus can play in international cooperation. To date, the United States, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, India, Ukraine, Serbia, the African Union and Canada have signed a Cooperation Arrangement with the European Commission on Copernicus. Such arrangements are non-binding partnership instruments designed to ensure efficiency and complementarities of data exchange. By creating the conditions for the export of high-value added and knowledge-intensive products and services based on Copernicus data and services, European EO companies benefit from a facilitated access to international markets. Copernicus services are widely used by policymakers and public authorities who use the information to develop environmental legislation and policies or to make critical decisions in the event of an emergency. The same data is available for being used to create value-added services which can be tailored to specific public or commercial needs, resulting in new business opportunities.
Signing of a cooperation arrangement between the European Commission and the African Union Commission in Brussels on 12 June 2018Signing of a cooperation agreement between the European Commission and Brazil on 8 March 2018 in Sao PauloSigning of a Cooperation arrangement with the Canadian Space Agency on16 May 2022 in Brussels
Leveraging the EU’s space industry for increased reach and engagement
In addition to establishing relationships with countries, the EU projects its influence in space matters namely by providing specific opportunities for cooperation between EU entities and industry from across the world. In a context of strong international competition and with the view of asserting its international competitive leadership in the global space ecosystem, the EU is leveraging and supporting the international development of its dynamic private sector by maximising the use of EU space data and services.
In particular, the EU Global Action on Space, a European Commission’s space economic diplomacy initiative, provides targeted support to EU stakeholders and companies to help them internationalise their products and services by using the whole potential of EU space capabilities, namely through targeted free coaching and support services. These services are provided for free to entities operating both in the space and non-space sectors and throughout the whole value chain. In this respect, the Global Action provides coaching assistance to eligible entities through an on-going open call until May 2024. Companies selected for coaching are supported by a global network of experts which provide space-related technical and business advice including i.e., negotiation, intercultural, legal and administrative aspects as well as access to specific market information. Beneficiaries of the service also gain insights into the global space ecosystem and will be able to attend specific events, training sessions and networking events tailored to the specificities of eight different regions around the world. Such customised events assist the EU space ecosystem in finding potential partners for partnerships in the field of space in more than 40 countries all over the world.
As highlighted by Jolanda Van Eijndthoven, Head of Unit for ‘International Relations and Communication’ at DG DEFIS ” the EU Global Action on Space is a unique opportunity for European and non-European actors and stakeholders to step up cooperation, push forward digitalisation and take advantage of the socio-economic benefits that the EU Space programme has to offer”.
Copernicus— Fuelling the European Union’s Soft Power
Science, technology and innovation have long been drivers of global change. Free and open Copernicus data is a key vehicle through which the EU projects its soft power. Providing accurate, timely and high-quality data, Copernicus helps countries all over the world—partners and non-partners alike— deal with challenges such as environmental management, climate change, public safety, transportation, urban planning. Most notably, Copernicus helps to monitor the consequences of earthquakes, wildfires, floods and storms both within the EU and beyond its borders. As Michael Pulch, the EU’s ambassador to Australia, stated: “Copernicus has the potential to increase the visibility of the European Union [as it] delivers directly when it’s needed […] and we are providing this to our partners free of charge.” In conclusion, the EU’s conscious efforts to provide free and open Copernicus data and animate the space business ecosystem provide a tremendous opportunity for the EU to deepen its collaboration with third party countries, to encourage international participation in using EU space-based data and services in a broad range of domains and to position itself as a leader in the global space economy.
Thu, 24/11/2022 – 12:00
