The Zenit/Copernicus Ecuador Observatory is presented as a key tool for risk management

With the aim of putting scientific knowledge at the service of society and strengthening disaster prevention policies, CEDIA – Ecuador’s National Research and Education Network – officially presented the Zenit/Copernicus Ecuador Observatory to the country’s Secretariat for Risk Management. This technological platform aims to establish itself as a cornerstone for strategic decision-making at national level, based on advanced analysis of Earth observation data.

(Source: CEDIA) The Observatory is a forum designed to identify, coordinate and raise the profile of the various initiatives developed by member higher education institutions. Its main focus lies in utilising open-access satellite data provided by the Copernicus programme, channelling it towards practical applications that benefit the country.

The work of this platform is supported by a network of over 80 researchers and is structured in perfect alignment with the six thematic areas of the Ecuadorian National Copernicus Committee, which include: atmospheric monitoring, climate change monitoring, maritime and coastal monitoring, emergency and disaster management, land monitoring, security, and impact and forecasting.

This high-level institutional initiative, which was warmly received by the highest authorities within the relevant government department, has the primary aim of linking academic research with the urgent needs of the country. Through the effective transfer of this scientific knowledge, it is hoped that risk prevention and mitigation strategies will be significantly improved, contributing directly to the creation of a safer and more resilient Ecuador in the face of current environmental challenges.