Maspalomas has officially submitted its bid to host the prestigious International Symposium on Geosciences and Remote Sensing (IGARSS) in 2030. This important initiative aims to position the Canary Islands at the forefront of global scientific advancement, showcasing the archipelago's infrastructure , technical capabilities , and research talent to the international community specializing in the study and observation of our planet. The bid was submitted by Adriano Camps , professor at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia-BarcelonaTech (UPC).
The proposal was formally presented at the 46th edition of this leading global conference, held from August 9 to 14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (United States) , under the auspices of the IEEE Geosciences and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) . During this international forum, which this year focused its discussions on the future of Earth observation and the technological tools needed to address humanity's major environmental and social challenges, the committee promoting the bid argued for the suitability of the island environment to host an event of such scientific and technological magnitude.
In the context of the technical and working sessions held in the US capital, representatives and researchers from the Canary Islands team took the opportunity to present the results of their most recent work and research in areas of high relevance and impact for the aerospace sector. Among the advances presented, the studies related to GNSS-R (Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry) technology stand out , as well as the advanced systems for detecting and mitigating radio frequency interference ( RFI ) applied to microwave radiometry.
These projects demonstrate the exceptionally high level of specialization and competitiveness developed by the institutions and research centers linked to the archipelago, supporting the viability, maturity, and strength of the submitted candidacy with technical data and tangible results. Active participation in Washington has also served to establish regional and global collaboration networks, reinforcing the position of the science developed in the islands within the international remote sensing circuits.
With this official application for 2030, Maspalomas reaffirms its ambition to establish itself as a world-class technology hub. The geographical characteristics of southern Gran Canaria, combined with its extensive experience in receiving space data, communications, and Earth observation, create an ideal setting for hosting high-level scientific discussions.
The proposal aims to continue the spirit of the major IEEE GRSS events, promoting collaborative global solutions through cutting-edge technologies. Thus, the official presentation of the candidacy in Washington, D.C., marks a significant milestone in Maspalomas' technological internationalization strategy, projecting an image of modernity, organizational capacity, and innovation for the coming decade and positioning the municipality at the forefront of major global scientific events.
