On January 27 and 28, the 18th European Space Conference was held in Brussels, Belgium. This high-level event brings together representatives from European Union (EU) institutions and member states, the European Space Agency (ESA), the space industry, and academia.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide a strategic platform for debate on future space and defense initiatives, national space strategies, and Europe’s role in global partnerships, addressing key issues such as Earth observation, strategic autonomy, technological innovation, and international cooperation.

Representing CopernicusLAC Chile was executive coordinator Macarena Pérez, whose participation sought to consolidate the Center’s efforts to strengthen its ties with the European space ecosystem.

“My participation is part of the work we are doing at CopernicusLAC Chile, related to linking up with the European space sector. That is why it is essential to stay abreast of the challenges, priorities, and opportunities for Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as to maintain direct links with key players and decision-makers, as this strengthens the links between current services and, specifically, the international conference we are organizing for October this year,” said Pérez.

During the conference, one of the highlights was a panel discussion on how Europe can continue to strengthen its global leadership in Earth observation. Simonetta Cheli, Director of Earth Observation Programs at ESA and Head of ESRIN, participated in this panel and emphasized the strategic role of space information in informed decision-making and the protection of the planet and its communities.

Cheli highlighted the need to strengthen and expand existing capabilities, noting that: “With the EU, we are ensuring the evolution of Copernicus, including the next generations of Sentinel missions. Together with EUMETSAT, we guarantee reliable, long-term data for meteorological, climate, and atmospheric monitoring” (Simonetta Cheli, January 28, 2026).

CopernicusLAC Chile’s participation in the European Space Conference reaffirms that an active presence in this type of international forum is key to anticipating trends, strengthening alliances, and planning the development of services with regional relevance, contributing to informed decision-making in the face of challenges such as climate change, land management, and environmental resilience.