Africa and Europe will intensify cooperation in space science and technology through the Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security for Africa (GMES and Africa) initiative, which is now moving into Phase 2, focusing on policy decisions.

This was a key message during day one of the GMES Southern Africa regional stakeholder workshop, held at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Monday.

GMES and Africa is a continent-wide initiative that is a result of the longstanding cooperation between Africa and Europe. Its objectives are to strengthen the long-term EU-Africa Union Commission cooperation on space science and technology with the aim of arming decision-makers with the information and tools needed for the implementation of sustainable environmental policies at continental, regional and national levels.

WORKSHOP AIMS

The overall aim of the workshop, meanwhile, was to ensure that stakeholders can collectively contribute to a more sustainable management of the continent’s natural assets.

Speakers indicated that GMES and Africa is aiming to harness the potential of the continent’s space industry, including upstream sector opportunities, with the development of infrastructure.

It was emphasised that the sector must be bolstered, as it was fundamental to developing critical mass to drive Africa’s space programme.

Several projects being undertaken by the GMES in Africa are strengthening diversity and inclusion in the industry, given that it brings together the Northern and Southern regions from the continent, as well as others that had previously been excluded, with funding provided by the EU.

It was emphasised that these projects are aiming to harness the continent’s technical capacity and build up its internal capabilities in the space industry.

The first phase of GMES and Africa ran from August 2018 to December 2021. During this phase, a network of 120 institutes had been built up. Moreover, a quality network of academia was created, with these endeavouring to come together to contribute on research and research output.

It was emphasised that there was considerable, and good, research being undertaken on the continent, but often there was a gap in translating this to tangible results. Therefore, the network aims to bridge this research translation gap across the continent, with it assisting in capacity development.

Further, this network is being supported to form more resources for teaching, both theoretical and practical.

Two consortia being undertaken as part of the programme were outlined. This is the CSIR’s consortium in Marine and Coastal Operations for Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean; and the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management’s consortium in Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Service for Transboundary Basins in Southern Africa.

PHASE 2

Moving into Phase 2, it was outlined that a key focus would be on policy decisions, engaging policymakers to ensure that what the initiative was producing on the ground fitted into policy.

Phase 2 builds on Phase 1, and other earlier EU-Africa cooperation.

Phase 2 is a long-term EU-Africa cooperation on space science and technology, to enable the two to continue to jointly solve and address global challenges and promote sustainable development under the EU Copernicus programme.

It will endeavour to promote the development in Africa of local capabilities; and the institutional, human and technical resources for access to and exploitation of earth observation-based services on an operational basis for sustainable development.

It would also support the implementation of the African Space Policy and Strategy, especially on earth observation.

Further, it would provide decision-makers with the information and tools needed for the implementation of sustainable environmental policies at the continental, regional and national levels through their Regional Economic Community and Implementation Centres.

Lastly, it would measure, improve, and sustain access to earth observation data.