Panama Hosts Regional CopernicusLAC Centre to Expand Use of Satellite Data

By De Puy & Asociados

Panama has become the regional hub for the CopernicusLAC Centre, an initiative supported by the European Union that promotes the use of satellite-based Earth observation data across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The centre forms part of broader EU–LAC digital cooperation efforts and is designed to support governments, institutions, and stakeholders in addressing environmental and societal challenges.

The CopernicusLAC Panama Centre operates within the framework of the EU–LAC Digital Alliance, a partnership launched in 2023 to advance cooperation in areas such as space data, connectivity, and digital innovation.

A regional hub for Earth observation

The centre is positioned as a regional platform to expand access to Copernicus data, the Earth observation component of the European Union Space Programme. Its activities focus on fostering the use of free and open satellite data, particularly from the Sentinel missions, and supporting their application in public policy and decision-making processes.

Based in Panama City, the initiative is coordinated by the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), and implemented in partnership with Panamanian institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Government Innovation Authority (AIG), and the National Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation (SENACYT).

The establishment of the centre also aligns with Panama’s broader objective of positioning itself as a regional digital hub, including efforts to expand connectivity and digital infrastructure.

Focus on disaster risk reduction and resilience

One of the core functions of the CopernicusLAC Centre is the development of Earth observation services aimed at disaster risk reduction (DRR). The region is considered particularly vulnerable to climate-related hazards such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts, as well as geological risks.

To address these challenges, the centre is developing pilot services that use satellite data to support risk mapping, damage assessment, and recovery planning. These services are designed in consultation with regional stakeholders and are expected to be transferred to local institutions after the pilot phase.

The initiative also promotes the integration of Earth observation data into existing national and regional systems, with the aim of improving preparedness and response capabilities.

Capacity building and training

In addition to technical services, the centre places emphasis on capacity building. It offers training programmes, workshops, and online courses to support the use of satellite data by public authorities, researchers, and other stakeholders.

A dedicated Digital Campus provides open-access training materials, including courses, datasets, and tools related to Earth observation. The platform is designed to facilitate knowledge transfer and strengthen technical skills across the region.

Hackathons and collaborative events are also organised to encourage innovation and the development of new applications based on Copernicus data.