WHAT: Third United Nations Global Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III). The theme of the Conference is "Space Benefits for Humanity in the Twenty-first Century." The Conference is convened as a special session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space open to all member states of the United Nations, international organizations and space industry.

WHEN: 19-30 July 1999. An exhibit of space hardware and services will be held 19-23 July.

WHERE: Austria Center, Vienna, Austria, located adjacent to the United Nations Vienna headquarters in the Vienna International Centre. The two earlier UNISPACE Conferences in 1968 and 1982 were also held in Vienna.

WHO: High-level government officials and representatives from the 185 UN Member States, United Nations system entities, international governmental and non-governmental organizations and top executives and representatives from space-related industry. National non-governmental organizations and space industry firms will be invited through their respective governments to participate in the Conference.

WHY: UNISPACE III is seen as an ideal forum at which the global community can construct a practical, well- defined framework for future international cooperation in space activities in the early part of the next millennium by building on the recognition many countries have regarding the usefulness of space technology applications.

One of the key objectives of the Conference will be to identify specific areas and actions through which space technology can help solve common regional and global problems, such as natural disasters and environmental degradation, as well as increasing the understanding of world-wide phenomena such as climate change.

Greater understanding and use of space technology also has the potential to increase economic and social growth, especially in developing countries. Although advanced technologies such as satellite communications have gained widespread use throughout the world, not all countries have sufficient know-how and technology to benefit from these developments.  Strengthening the capabilities of countries in using space applications for development needs is a second important goal, as space-based services and technologies might enable countries to "leap-frog" across whole stages in development.

UNISPACE III will also identify ways and means to further reinforce international cooperation in space activities. Particular attention will be given to the role that the United Nations and its agencies could play in the coordination of programmes that could utilize space science and technology applications for development purposes.

FORMAT: The Conference agenda will be taken up in plenary meetings and two main committees. A number of other parallel activities are planned. Renowned scientists and personalities will be invited to speak at a number of workshops, seminars and evening lectures to highlight to the general public the important contributions of space science and technology to everyday life. The next generation of young space professionals will also have an opportunity to participate in UNISPACE III through a Youth Forum, which is being organized by the alumni associations of the International Space University.

A unique component of UNISPACE III will be the presence of the commercial space industry, which in recent years has outpaced government involvement in areas from satellite communications to launch services. The United Nations will sponsor a space exhibition that will draw some of the world's leading aerospace manufacturers and other companies displaying examples of current products and services, complete with multi-media and interactive presentations on state-of-the-art space technology. Government agencies and civilian organizations will also exhibit their relevant space activities. The public is invited to the exhibition, which will run from 19-23 July 1999.

HOW: The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space is the Preparatory Committee for UNISPACE III, and the Committee's Scientific and Technical Subcommittee is the Advisory Committee for the Conference. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs is the Executive Secretariat of the Conference. A series of regional preparatory conferences are being held to enhance awareness of UNISPACE III and to promote discussion of issues relevant to it. The conference for the Asia and Pacific region was held in Malaysia in May. Upcoming conferences will be held in Chile from 12 to 16 October for the Latin American and Caribbean region, in Morocco from 26 to 30 October for the African region and in Romania from 25 to 29 January 1999 for the Eastern European region.

General information about UNISPACE III and the Space Generation Forum:

Office for Outer Space Affairs, Vienna International Centre
P.O. Box 500, Room E0953, A-1400 Vienna (AUSTRIA)
Tel: (43-1) 21345-4950, fax: (43-1) 21345-5830
e-mail: OOSA@unov.un.or.at , web site: http://www.un.or.at/OOSA

For information about the space exhibition:

Howard O'Brien Jr.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
1801 Alexander Bell Drive Suite 500
Reston, Virginia 20191-4344 (UNITED STATES)
Tel: 800-739-4424/703-264-7535, fax: 703-264-7551
e-mail: howardo@aiaa.org , web site: http://www.aiaa.org