A new international initiative, Space4Resilience, has been launched at the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), marking a significant step toward strengthening climate resilience across the 56 Commonwealth member countries.
The initiative brings together the Commonwealth Secretariat, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), and SpaceData Inc., combining international leadership, policy reach and technological innovation.
Designed to democratise access to satellite data, Space4Resilience provides an integrated framework to support countries—particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other vulnerable nations across the Commonwealth—in anticipating, managing, and responding to climate-related risks.
The initiative will deliver four core functions; a data hub, intelligence function on climate risks, capacity building, and project preparation. The Data Hub will integrate proprietary 3D spatial data and global datasets, developed by SpaceData, Inc. into a single accessible platform. Real-time dashboards will flag risks such as cyclones, sea-level rise, drought, food security and forest change.
To build capacity, 20-30 professionals from the Commonwealth will receive training in Japan annually, strengthening national expertise in satellite data applications. Countries will also be supported to develop tailored, investment-ready projects in conjunction with the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH).
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Attending the launch in Vienna, Austria - where UNOOSA is headquartered - Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General (Programmes), Tanmaya Lal, said:
"Space4Resilience will advance the use of space and geospatial innovation for public good, strengthening support for Small Island Developing States and other vulnerable Commonwealth countries through strategic partnerships."
On behalf of UNOOSA, Aarti Holla-Maini, Director, said:
"Climate resilience depends on innovative partnerships and equitable access to data. Through Space4Resilience, we are placing advanced space- and AI-driven tools directly in the hands of vulnerable countries, enabling informed decision-making and early action."
Katsuaki Sato, President and CEO of SpaceData Inc., said:
"Space4Resilience reflects our commitment to making space technology accessible to all. In partnership with UNOOSA and the Commonwealth, we aim to harness Japan’s innovations to support sustainable development and ensure no one is left behind."
This new initiative builds on previous collaborations, including flood simulations in Tonga and AI-driven digital twin applications in Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago. Powered by SpaceData Inc. patented technology, the initiative enables rapid, cost-effective creation of photorealistic digital twins, enhancing disaster simulation and planning.
From July 2026, pilot projects will commence, positioning space-based data as shared infrastructure to advance resilience and sustainable development across the Commonwealth.
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