Italy-Senegal collaboration in Earth observation

(ANSA) - IL CAIRO, 20 SET - The Italian Embassy in Dakar celebrated National Space Day 2024 by promoting Italian-Senegalese collaboration in Earth observation. This was reported in a communiqué issued this week by the diplomatic representation, highlighting among other things that experts such as Giovanni Laneve from the School of Aerospace Engineering at 'La Sapienza' University; and Emilio D'Ugo, a researcher at the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, shared knowledge on the use of satellite images to monitor the environment and water pollution.
    Seminars and meetings involved universities, research centres, government agencies and companies, raising interest in collaborations with Italy. Stefano Pignatti, from the Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis of the National Research Council, illustrated earth observation technologies and their applications. The University of Dakar, the University of Ziguinchor, the Centre de Suivi Ecologique, and the Civil Protection Department were particularly interested, the note said.
    A seminar at the Forestry Department explored the use of satellite observation in forest fire prevention and control. The Ussein University of Kaolack discussed possible collaborations with the School of Aerospace Engineering of 'La Sapienza' University.
    A visit to the French Institut de Recherche et Development (IRD) made it possible to monitor polluted coastal sites and share data, formalised with a Memorandum of Understanding. In parallel, experts Fabio Magurano and Abdou Diouf from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità discussed collaboration with the Pasteur Institute in Dakar on infectious diseases.
    Ambassador Caterina Bertolini thanked the guests for their contribution, emphasising the importance of scientific diplomacy in strengthening relations between Italy and Senegal and promoting Italian industry in the aerospace sector.