Satellite Earth Observation (EO) provides a wide range of different types of environmental information that are key to the effective planning and implementation of development assistance activities. The Copernicus Sentinel suite are freely, globally accessible data useful for supporting various aspects of sustainable development thanks to the timeliness and high frequency of its availability. EO is particularly relevant for water resilience issues as it can provide information to assess water quality and availability, identify changes and trends over time; it can also help with the identification of areas vulnerable to water-related disasters and contribute to water management in agriculture by informing on crop and vegetation health and distribution.

Since 2010, the European Space Agency (ESA) has been exploring the potential and benefits of Satellite EO in the context of development aid or assistance activities, through demonstrations for development projects carried out by key stakeholders, namely the main international financing institutions (IFIs), including Asian Development Bank (ADB). This initial collaboration has raised significant interest from IFIs, particularly to continue exploring the potential of EO-based information in a more strategic, longer-term collaboration framework identifying complementary responsibilities. This ‘Mainstream & Transfer’ phase of EO into development is implemented in a joint, coordinated initiative called Space for International Development with ESA, World Bank, and ADB, from 2020 to 2025 It includes ESA’s development of state-of-the-art applications, e.g., knowledge development and ADB's implementation in developing member countries, such as capacity building and skills transfer.

Henceforward, the discussion will address mainly ESA’s contributions to ADB’s water resilience activities in Asia and in the Pacific, presenting case-studies of Earth observation products developed and used in ADB’s projects.