Panama reinforces ties with the EU through the Project Copernicus
Panama has become one of the European Union’s key partners in the fight against climate change. As part of the EU’s Project Copernicus, the Central American nation will start a collaboration with the EU to host one of the largest data centers in the world. Through the construction of an observatory in Panama, this unprecedented project will enable and facilitate the exchange and sharing of information, know-how, research, and data for the stronger prevention of climate disasters across the region. Copernicus also marks the latest and largest effort in the EU’s ongoing digital partnership with Latin America, expected to generate broader positive impacts throughout the region.
This is the first center in the world to help gather and centralize intelligence to prevent natural disasters. The center in Panama will evaluate the data coming from the entire Central American and Caribbean region while a second center is planned to open in Chile to monitor the South American region. Panama’s location sets it apart as the country least subject to natural disasters in the region, making it the ideal place to establish the Copernicus Project. In addition, Panama’s well-renowned status as a regional hub for aid, goods, and pharmaceutical products, among others, makes it a strategic enclave and location for this data center.
The Copernicus project will receive shared financial resources both from Panama and the European Union. Panama’s investment amounts to approximately ´€19.85 million, which will be distributed in stages over the next 5 years, while the country also provides the infrastructure and geographical space to house the Regional Data Center.
As highlighted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, Erika Mouynes, during an interview with Spanish media EFE Verde, “the European Union and Panama already enjoy strong bilateral relations as we cooperate in many areas such as digital transformation, ocean governance, climate and environmental action, including water security and triangular cooperation. In this sense, this initiative will definitely strengthen and facilitate existing cooperation in all areas, as well as increase the exchange of information and know-how between the EU and Panama.”