The European Commission is strengthening international cooperation on disaster risk management through space technologies, with a focus on improving early warnings, sharing satellite data and building response capacity at national and local levels.
On 14 October 2026, the Commission convened its first cross-regional dialogue, From Space to Grassroots: Strengthening Community Resilience to Natural Hazards through Space Technologies. The initiative brought together disaster-risk organisations and representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Africa.
The discussions resulted in a “Compass on Space and Disaster Risk Management”, which emphasises converting satellite and other space-based data into actionable information for authorities and communities. Space services can support the entire disaster-management cycle, including forecasting, early warnings, emergency mapping and post-disaster recovery assessments.
EU Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib stressed that communities need timely and trusted warnings rather than simply hazard maps. Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius highlighted the role of Copernicus, the EU’s Earth-observation programme, alongside Galileo, GOVSATCOM and IRIS², in providing information for disaster anticipation and response.
The dialogue also included Kamal Kishore, UN Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction, and representatives of disaster-management organisations from multiple regions. The initiative reflects a broader shift towards using technology not only to respond to disasters, but also to anticipate risks, strengthen preparedness and reduce impacts before disasters occur.
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