The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), has announced the selection of seven countries—Algeria, Colombia, Guatemala, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mauritius and Türkiye—for the initial 2026 phase of a joint initiative harnessing satellite Earth Observation (EO) data and geospatial analytics for sustainable development.
The initiative reflects growing demand across the Global South for data-driven, evidence-based policymaking. Following a joint review and technical assessment of Expressions of Interest submitted by Member States, the initiative will focus on three thematic clusters: Coastal, Marine and Blue Economy; Urban Growth, Land Systems and Infrastructure; and Disaster Risk Reduction, Hydromet and Climate Resilience.
Through targeted demonstration pilots, national institutions will apply EO-based services to address specific policy challenges. These pilots are designed not only to deliver practical, context-specific solutions, but also to strengthen institutional capacity and long-term planning.
By leveraging South-South and triangular cooperation, the initiative will facilitate knowledge exchange, technical collaboration and access to cutting-edge space-based technologies. It underscores the role of partnerships in bridging data gaps and scaling innovative solutions, supporting countries to better anticipate risks, manage resources and accelerate progress toward sustainable development priorities.
