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International Partnerships

Digital Transformation and Connectivity Initiative in the Philippines

This Digital Transformation and Connectivity Initiative in the Philippines is part of the Sustainable Connectivity Regional Team Europe Initiative. It aims to scale up service provision from the Copernicus mirror site to all ASEAN countries to provide high-speed internet capacity. It is the first South-East Asia earth observation programme with Copernicus (Copernicus Philippines), launched in April 2023 in Manila.

The EU will contribute USD 37.2 million in grants and work together with the European Space Agency as well as EU Member States. The programme will establish a national site to archive satellite data and to foster data access, storing, processing and exchange among Philippines authorities, to tackle disaster risk management and climate change. Team Europe’s focus will also be put on ensuring fast access to data in the country including through high-speed broadband, mobile connectivity, as well as new fibre submarine cables. It will also aim to boost education, research and innovation and to mobilise the data economy market. This has the potential to unlock digital economic opportunities and scientific benefits at national and regional levels. The Philippines is a pioneer in cooperation with Copernicus uptake within ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).