Operational Priorities and Knowledge Exchange Through the ESA-ADB Partnership

The European Space Agency (ESA) is an invaluable partner to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) due to its extensive experience with Earth Observation technologies, a field where many Asian countries lack comparable investment in space programmes. The technologies and data provided by ESA serve the entire world, making them equally applicable and beneficial to Asia. This partnership represents a valuable technology transfer opportunity and a chance to build strong economic collaborations.

The alignment is mutually beneficial: while Asian governments develop their own space programmes over time, they can leverage ESA’s advanced technologies without duplicating investments. This collaboration allows ESA to focus on technology development, while the ADB supports the necessary capacity building in the region, meeting the critical needs and aspirations of local governments.

ADB and ESA have successfully collaborated on various projects over the years. From 2013 to 2015, they completed 12 different activities to support a variety of ADB projects. In 2015, they signed an agreement to continue their collaboration over the next five years, utilising space-based information to support sustainable development. ESA, ADB, and the World Bank are now working together on the Global Development Assistance (GDA) Partnership.

ADB’s Strategy 2030 sets forth seven operational priorities, each accompanied by its own operational plan. These plans contribute to ADB’s vision of achieving prosperity, inclusion, resilience, and sustainability and are closely aligned with the principles and approaches of Strategy 2030. A key aspect of this vision is the incorporation of new technologies into the design and implementation of projects and programmes across these seven operational priority areas. By utilising satellite observation technology, ADB can enhance the execution of projects aimed at improving liveable cities, rural development, and food security.