On 17 November, the launch of SCOPE Digital at the Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-31) in Cebu marked an important moment for regional space cooperation, one which builds directly on the momentum, achievements, and credibility established by the CopPhil Initiative in the Philippines.
Held alongside the APRSAF, the region’s largest space conference, the side event brought together partners from Europe and Southeast Asia to highlight how CopPhil’s national successes are now evolving into a wider regional vision. What began as the European Union’s first Copernicus engagement in Southeast Asia is now expanding into a multi-country partnership aimed at strengthening climate resilience, institutional capacity, and digital transformation across the region.
SCOPE Digital: Key Pillar of a Shared Strategy
BThe event opened with messages from European and Philippine partners, who collectively framed SCOPE Digital as the next phase of cooperation between the European Union (EU) and Southeast Asia on Earth Observation. H.E. Massimo Santoro, EU Ambassador to the Philippines, shared his remarks via video, underscoring the importance of strengthening regional cooperation through Copernicus and building on the foundations established by CopPhil. Following this, Mr. Ian Hoskins, Deputy Head of Unit for South Asia and South-East Asia, at the European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), highlighted how the programme is part of the overall EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package (SCOPE) which was adopted by the EU in April 2023, and reflects the Global Gateway strategy priorities, supporting green and digital transitions while fostering long-term partnerships with the region.
“Today’s launch provides an opportunity for all of us to come together, exchange ideas, and to strengthen our collaboration.”
– Mr. Ian Hoskins, Deputy Head of Unit for South Asia and South-East Asia, at European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA)
CopPhil’s achievements formed the backbone of the day’s discussions. Engr. Denis Villorente, Deputy Director General of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) reflected on how CopPhil has transformed access to Copernicus data through the national Mirror Site, advanced hazard monitoring and agricultural services, and built a strong base of technical expertise across government, academia, and the private sector. With these foundations in place, SCOPE Digital aims to adapt similar models to the needs of Thailand and Indonesia.
These milestones, achieved through close cooperation between the European Space Agency (ESA), PhilSA, the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and local institutions, showed why CopPhil is now recognised as the first operational Copernicus hub in Southeast Asia. The interventions displayed that SCOPE Digital did not emerge in a vacuum: it is a direct continuation of CopPhil’s model, methodology, and capacity-building approach, scaled for regional impact.
Dr. Benjamin Koetz, Head of the Long-Term Action Section at the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes from ESA, echoed this message underlining how the SCOPE framework will continue the co-development ethos which has defined CopPhil since its inception, ensuring that satellite data is not just accessible, but usable and actionable in national and regional contexts.
Regional Priorities and the Future of Copernicus
The final part of Session 1 brought together representatives from Thailand, Indonesia, and ESA to provide a more complete picture of how SCOPE Digital will operate in the years ahead.
Dr. Sirikul Hutasavi, Chief of GeoStrategic Division, Office of Geo-Informatics Innovation at Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), outlined Thailand’s priorities, including sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and forest monitoring: areas in which access to reliable satellite data is fundamental. Prof. Parwati Sofan, Senior Researcher at Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), shared Indonesia’s perspective, focusing on forest management, coastal and marine hazards, and the need for strengthened institutional capacity. Both countries pointed to SCOPE Digital as a timely opportunity to develop services and skills aligned with national requirements while participating in a broader ASEAN framework.
Dr. Casper Fibaek, CopPhil and SCOPE Digital Project Officer from ESA, complemented these interventions with an overview of upcoming Copernicus missions and service evolutions. The launch of new Copernicus Sentinel satellites and improved data platforms will expand opportunities for the region, providing more detailed environmental information and improved monitoring capabilities. Together, these presentations rounded out the first session by grounding SCOPE Digital in current needs while linking it to the long-term trajectory of the Copernicus Earth Observation programme.
Multi-Stakeholder Perspectives on Regional EO Cooperation
The second half of the event shifted toward a broader reflection on what it means to build an Earth Observation ecosystem across ASEAN.
The session started with a keynote from Mr. Marco Aliberti from the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), which framed the importance of regional cooperation and the value of linking ASEAN EO actors with global partners. This set the stage for three panel discussions which brought government agencies, research institutions, regional bodies, development partners, and private sector organisations into a shared conversation:
From national strategies to regional uptake: the role of cooperation in expanding the use of Copernicus data across institutions in ASEAN countries
The first panel opened with a keynote from Prof. Rokhis Khomarudin, Head of the Research Centre for Geoinformatics from BRIN, which outlined Indonesia’s institutional experience with Earth Observation governance and the challenges of mainstreaming EO into national systems. This was followed by a roundtable featuring contributions from representatives from the Department of Science and Technology’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), the European Space Agency (ESA), the EU Delegation to the Philippines, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Space Technology and Applications (SCOSA). The discussion highlighted the importance of coordinated frameworks, consistent data standards, and sustained institutional capacity. CopPhil’s approach of combining governance structures, training, and co-development served as a useful example of how national systems can evolve and connect across borders.
From data to impact: harnessing Earth Observation data for science, education, and services co-development
Before the roundtable, the second panel’s keynote was delivered by GISTDA’s Dr. Sirikul Hutasavi, who described Thailand’s experience embedding EO data into research, national programmes, and innovation pipelines. The subsequent discussion brought together representatives from PhilSA, Mahidol University, Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), HAkA foundation, and the University of Twente. Participants emphasised the need for long-term research collaboration, academic capacity-building, and shared mechanisms which move knowledge across borders. Examples from CopPhil’s partnerships with universities illustrated how EO can be integrated into science and education.
Building bridges with the industry: public–private collaboration to unlock Earth Observation-based solutions
The third and last panel began with a keynote from Mr. Masayasu Ishida from the SpaceTide Foundation, which outlined trends in Asia’s emerging NewSpace sector and opportunities for entrepreneurial growth. The panel was composed of representatives from CLS, PhilSA, Expertise France, and WiredField Philippines. Discussions focused on how governments and industry can co-develop EO services, reduce barriers to uptake, and build sustainable markets. CopPhil’s model again provided a reference point for how public institutions can create enabling environments for innovation.
A Strong Basis for Regional Cooperation
The event was jointly organised by the Digital for Development (D4D) Hub, the EU Delegations to Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines, ESA, PhilSA, GISTDA, and BRIN. More than 100 participants from 15 countries attended, with women making up 40% of the group. This highlights significant involvement from ASEAN members and beyond. The range of attendees and organisations represented is the testament of a shared enthusiasm for developing a more unified Earth Observation community across the region.
By presenting SCOPE Digital alongside the achievements of CopPhil, the event illustrated how national experience can serve as a foundation for regional action. The launch marks the beginning of a collaborative process involving the European Union, ESA, PhilSA, BRIN, GISTDA: all committed to working together to strengthen the use of Copernicus free and open satellite data for resilience, sustainability, and digital transformation in Southeast Asia.
Background Information
As a flagship and unique programme of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, CopPhil is designed to harness digital resources and space technology for sustainable development and to support innovations in research and business in close cooperation with government partners.
CopPhil is managed by the European Union Delegation to the Philippines. It is implemented by the European Space Agency (ESA) in partnership with the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST). In addition to the development of the Earth Observation pilot services, the activities of CopPhil include the establishment of a Copernicus Data Centre and IT infrastructure as well as awareness-raising and knowledge and skills transfer related to Copernicus data and information.
