Agreement between IAI and Red LabOT promotes the use of Earth observation technologies for decision-making
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The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the Geo Labs for Earth Intelligence (Red LabOT) have signed an important collaboration agreement that seeks to promote access to and use of advanced Earth observation technologies in various sectors of society. This strategic alliance builds a bridge between science and action, with the aim of improving decision-making based on the use of timely geospatial data.
The agreement, with a central focus on the the strengthening of territorial intelligence, focuses on providing practical information tailored to the specific needs of local communities. Both institutions are committed to integrating Earth observation data and geospatial technologies to facilitate informed decisions in critical areas such as deforestation, disaster risk reduction, and climate change resilience.
The LabOT Network stands out for its participatory mechanisms, which enable communities to become directly involved in decision-making processes. This methodology recognizes local perspectives and experiences as essential elements in policy design and the implementation of concrete actions.
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Photo: Emilce Mejía, Chair of the Board of Directors of Red Labot; Anna Stewart Ibarra, Executive Director of the IAI; Kim Portmess, STeP Program Lead.
The collaboration between the IAI and Red Labot began in 2024, when both institutions actively participated in Geo Juvex, an international event held in Panama that brought together more than 1,000 young people. During this event, high school students and geospatial professionals collaborated on solving local problems such as deforestation, drought, the impact of the Panama Canal, and solid waste management.
The agreement between the IAI and Red LabOT also marks the beginning of a new phase in the collaboration between the two organizations, with the launch of internships for young Geo Juvex participants. María Sepúlveda and Marialicia Casas have begun their internships at the IAI in collaboration with Red LabOT, supporting the implementation of ecosystem-based adaptation (EBA) projects in the region.
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As part of this commitment, RedLabOT invited four students to present scientific posters at the 33rd meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP33) of the IAI in Asunción, Paraguay. The Paraguayan Space Agency (AEP), one of the founding members of Red LabOT, invited students participating in the AEP's GEOLab capacity building program and RedLabOT to conduct fire analysis in protected wilderness areas, flood monitoring, and agricultural monitoring using satellite data.
With this alliance, the IAI reinforces its commitment to sustainable development and the integration of science in local and international action to address the environmental challenges of the present and the future.
Learn more about Red LabOT (in Spanish)
Read the text of the agreement between the IAI and Red LabOT (in Spanish)