UNITED NATIONS
REGIONAL PREPARATORY CONFERENCES
FOR UNISPACE III
|| ASIA AND PACIFIC REGION || LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN ||
|| AFRICA
AND THE MIDDLE EAST || EASTERN EUROPE ||
In preparation for UNISPACE III, the Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) has held a number of Regional Preparatory Conferences during 1998 and 1999. These were co-sponsored by the United Nations, the host Governments and the European Space Agency.
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, between May 18 and 22 May, 1998, a Conference was held for the Asia and Pacific Region. Twenty-eight countries and organizations were represented with a total of 64 participants. Through consensus, the Conference arrived at a number of recommendations concerning Asia-Pacific States:
Furthermore, policy makers awareness of the abilities of remote sensing satellite equipment should be increased. With its applications in mitigating natural disasters such as droughts, floods, tropical cyclones and earthquakes, this is particularly relevant to developing countries.
Through the implementation of joint projects benefiting all countries, collaboration across the region, including the Pacific States, should be promoted. A unified approach in the acquisition, processing and handling of remote sensing data, using a standard format, should be developed as an aid in facilitating the exchange of information.
Collaborating on small satellite projects, thus enabling countries in the region to develop their human resources as well as serving as a technology demonstrator and catalyst for the future was also recommended by the Conference.
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
In Concepción, Chile, between 12 and 16 October,1998, a Conference was held for the Latin America and Caribbean Region. Thirty-three countries and organizations were represented with a total of 170 participants. It was recommended that national space agencies be established to serve as the focus through which all sections of society interested in space technology and exploration could participate. Furthermore, a permanent mechanism for cooperation and coordination in space projects and legislation should be put in place. Opportunities for training and education in space science should be expanded, including space science education from the primary school level upwards and the training of experts at the post-graduate level.
Research and operational agencies should be interlinked through the use of telecommunications, with the operational agencies responsible for dealing with emergencies. Remote sensing applications should be used to protect and maintain the environment and ecosystems such as nature reserves, forests and coastal areas. Remote sensing equipment should also be employed in the mitigation of natural and man-made disasters. Lastly, the Conference recommended that an International Decade should be declared to formulate an integrated strategy for the use of space technology.
The Conference in Rabat, Morocco, between 26 and 30 October,1998, was held for both the Africa and Middle East Regions. Twenty-eight countries were represented and there were 221 participants. The Conference recommended that the two regions work together to build up indigenous capabilities within the regions. There should be investment in knowledge and skills in relation to space science, particularly in satellite technology and its socio-economic applications. In relation to this, there should be an Inter-African connection for telephony, data, tele-education, tele-medicine and the Internet. It was particularly stressed that the cooperative information exchange network (COPINE) project be realised.This programme is concerned with facilitating information exchange for a range of development issues.This initiative by the Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) is aimed at helping to reduce health problems, promoting education and protecting the environment through the management of natural resources, agricultural research and science and technological development.
The Conference declared it crucial that UN agencies, together with national and international organizations, coordinate their efforts to gain the full potential from the various projects. It was also recommended that the UN establish a special fund to facilitate the expected recommendations of UNISPACE III. This would mean investment in knowledge and skills in space science technology, particularly in satellite technology and its socio-economic applications.
The last UNISPACE III preparatory Conference, for the Eastern European Region, was held in Bucharest, Romania between 24 and 29 January, 1999. Nineteen countries were represented with a total of two hundred delegates. As well as East European countries, delegates from West European countries and the United States also attended. The Conference was cosponsored by the Romanian Space Agency (ROSA), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the United Nations. Recommendations of the Conference included building public awareness of the benefits of space technology applications and fostering international cooperation in the field. The Conference also drew up plans to develop and promote space technology in the region. A report on the Conference will be presented to UNISPACE III.
