Dubai: The UAE Aid Agency and the UAE Space Agency have signed a partnership agreement aimed at bolstering disaster preparedness and response capabilities across West Africa through the utilization of space-based data and technologies.
According to Emirates News Agency, the partnership will see approximately 30 specialists from disaster and crisis management entities receive practical training in Earth observation, geographic information systems, and tools provided through the International Charter: Space and Major Disasters. The initiative is designed to help authorities assess disaster impacts more rapidly, improve decision-making, and support more effective responses to affected communities.
The agreement, signed during the 22nd Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (DIHAD 2026), includes training on the COS-2 information management system and the cloud-based Charter Mapper tool. Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of the UAE Aid Agency, and Eng. Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, were the signatories of this strategic partnership.
Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri emphasized the importance of strengthening humanitarian teams' capabilities to enhance the speed and effectiveness of their response to crises, disasters, and emergencies. He highlighted that the integration of space-based information and advanced data tools into humanitarian action will enable specialists to assess risks more accurately and support faster recovery for affected communities.
Eng. Salem Butti Al Qubaisi expressed that the partnership underscores the commitment to transforming the UAE's space capabilities into practical solutions that benefit people and communities. He noted that by enabling specialists to use space-based data more effectively, preparedness can be strengthened, response times accelerated, and informed decision-making supported during disasters.
The UAE Space Agency will implement the programme in collaboration with the International Charter: Space and Major Disasters, the European Space Agency (ESA), Ghana's National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER). Participants will receive practical training on COS-2 and Charter Mapper, enhancing their ability to access and analyze satellite imagery, assess disaster impacts, and support timely operational decisions.
The initiative also aims to strengthen the use and activation of the International Charter, contributing to more effective disaster response across participating countries.