UNISPACE III SPACE/V/1
AM Meeting 19 July 1999
 

THIRD UN CONFERENCE ON EXPLORATION AND PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE OPENS IN VIENNA

President of Austria, UN Secretary-General, Conference President Urge Outer Space Technological Benefits to Extend to All Humankind
 
The Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III) opened this morning in Vienna, bringing together high-level representatives of Government, the space industry and civil society to formulate a blueprint to maximize the benefits of space science for all people in the new millennium.

Centered on the theme of "Space Benefits for Humanity in the Twenty-First Century", UNISPACE III will focus on developing a practical framework for the global society to maximize the benefits of space technology through international cooperation in space activities. The two-week Conference, which concludes on 30 July, is expected to culminate in the adoption of a "Vienna Declaration and Action Plan", setting out the United Nations vision for the peaceful uses of outer space over the next century.

Opening the Conference, the President of Austria, Thomas Klestil, said that unless the developed world was prepared to share its technological know-how with developing countries, the benefits of space applications would be curtailed, to the detriment of both sides. He appealed to Governments, private industry and non-governmental organizations to support United Nations initiatives to make space knowledge a major contributor to human progress. UNISPACE III was an ideal platform to promote the involvement of developing countries in international research programmes. He said he was optimistic that the Conference would meet its goals: promoting the use of space solutions to address regional and global problems; and strengthening Member States' capacity to use the results of space research for social, economic and cultural development. 

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that consideration of the vastness of the universe should bring into focus the absurdity of the divisions in this small world. The expanses of space must not be used as another battleground for earthly conflicts. Technology must be used to foster tolerance, trust and shared values and not become an instrument of hatred and division. This century's plagues of war and suffering must not be passed on to the next, when the technology available will be even more awesome.
 
The fruits of progress must be made available to all people as part of global development, he continued. The costs of space technology must be lowered and developing countries provided with the resources to acquire it. Policy makers must pursue the practical benefits of space technology for development. To achieve those goals, partnerships must be forged between nations, between industry, commercial groups and non-governmental organizations, but also across generations, since the young of today would be responsible for the scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow. 

In a statement following his election as Conference President, U.R. Rao (India), said that as part of its deliberations, UNISPACE III would address basic issues of the developing countries including education, training and industry involvement. There had been far-reaching changes in the world's political climate with the end of the Cold War and the commercialization of space activities. In light of those factors, the holding of UNISPACE III to take stock of space science advances and develop a blueprint for promoting its application was both relevant and timely. 

Also this morning, the Conference's two Main Committees were established. Committee I is to consider the following agenda items: status of the scientific knowledge of Earth and its environment; benefits of basic space science and capacity building; information needs and the global approach; and promotion of international cooperation. Committee II will consider the status and applications of space science and technology, including the environment and natural resources and remote sensing; navigation positioning and location systems; and review space communications and applications. It will also explore economic and social benefits, which includes secondary applications of space technology, ways and means of increasing the economic efficiency of space technology and its applications; promotion of the commercial benefits of space activities; and ways and means of promoting international cooperation. 

In addition to these two committees, the Conference established a Technical Forum as its technical body. Also, it adopted its agenda and rules of procedure. 

The Conference this morning also elected the following officials in addition to Mr. Rao: Vice President of the Plenary, Raimundo Gonzalez (Chile); Rapporteur-General of the Plenary, Mohammed Ait Belaid (Morocco); Chairman of Committee I, Dietrich Rex (Germany); Vice Chairman of Committee I, Alexander V. Yakovenko (Russian Federation); and Vice Chairman and Rapporteur of Committee I, R.A. Boroffice (Nigeria); Chairman of Committee II, Shunji Murai (Japan); Vice Chairman of Committee II, Vladimir Kopal (Czech Republic); Vice Chairman and Rapporteur of Committee II, Luiz Gylvan Meira Filho (Brazil); and Chairman of the Technical Forum, Peter Jankowitsch (Austria). 

The following were elected to the Drafting Group: Dawlat Hassen (Egypt), Mongezi Tshongweni (South Africa), Sridhara Murthy (India), Mazlan Othman (Malaysia), Dumitru Dorin Prunariu (Romania), Arif Mehdiyev (Azerbaijan); Alejandra Bonilla (Colombia); Raul Pelaez (Argentina); Gabriella Venturini (Italy), and Lynne F.H. Cline (United States). The Plenary Rapporteur will serve as Chairman of the Drafting Group. Additional members may be invited to join the Group. 

The Conference also appointed a nine-member Credentials Committee composed of China, Fiji, Jamaica, Mali, New Zealand, Russian Federation, United States, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. The Conference will resume at 3 p.m. today to hear the opening statement of the Chairman of the Technical Forum and to begin a general exchange of views. 
 
Conference Work Programme

The Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III) holds its opening ceremony this morning in Vienna. Expected to address the Conference this morning are the President of Austria, Thomas Klestil, and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The Conference would also elect its President and adopt its organization of work. The key objective of the Conference is to create a blueprint for the peaceful uses of outer space in the twenty-first century. All 185 Member States have been invited to participate at UNISPACE III , along with leading figures from the world of space technology and private enterprise. (For further background on the Conference, see Press Release OS/1751 issued on 14 July.)

Inaugural Statements

THOMAS KLESTIL, President of Austria: This Conference is timely for several reasons. Tomorrow marks the thirtieth anniversary of Neil Armstrong first setting foot on the moon, an achievement which inaugurated a new era for mankind. Today, we can view the world in its totality. Pictures of Earth reveal the planet's unique beauty, but also its great vulnerability, making it all the more essential that the spirit of consensus and cooperation be strengthened. The most promising means for such cooperation is manned space flight. The new International Space Station will be mankind's outpost in space. We can only speculate about the discoveries that will be sparked by this great endeavor in fields such as life sciences and technological development.

Today, when armed conflict is a frequent reality even at the center of Europe, it is urgent to remember the responsibilities we have taken upon ourselves for peace and security here on Earth. The participation in UNISPACE III of representatives from industry and civil society, as full partners with Governments, reflects the increasing economic use of outer space, the growing importance of private companies in this area and citizens' heightened interest in outer space. This new approach represents a fundamental change in the attitude of the United Nations and is a recognition of the fact that Governments are no longer the only actors -- or even the most important ones -- when it comes to space applications. In a number of areas, ranging from satellite communications to launch services, the space industry has out-paced Government.

This Conference is based on the conviction that the future of mankind lies with young people. The Space Generation Forum provides an unprecedented opportunity for junior space professionals to present ideas and alternative scenarios for the twenty-first century. UNISPACE III is not only innovative in its composition, but also in that it is funded from within existing resources. I know what this means for staff and therefore express appreciation to the Office for Outer Space Affairs for its efforts.

I am optimistic that UNISPACE III will meet its two main goals of promoting the use of space solutions to address regional and global problems; and of strengthening Member States' capacity to use the results of space research for social, economic and cultural development. Today, space technology has become part of our lives to a degree that was unimaginable just years ago. But it can do more to promote sustainable development and monitor events that might endanger the well-being of large numbers of people. 

Unless the developed world is prepared to share its technological know-how with developing countries, the benefits of space applications will remain curtailed, to the detriment of both sides. Developing countries need to improve their national capabilities and the United Nations must ensure access to the knowledge and skills required for the peaceful uses of outer space. I appeal to Governments, private industry and non-governmental organizations to support United Nations initiatives to make space knowledge a major contributor to human progress. UNISPACE III is an ideal platform to promote the involvement of developing countries in international research programmes. 

The increasing changes in the Earth's biosphere caused by global phenomenon such as the depletion of the ozone layer, the greenhouse effect, the deforestation of tropical rain forests, the erosion of fertile soils and the consequences of volcanic eruptions call for urgent action based on reliable data collected on a worldwide basis. This requires observing the environment from space. Remote sensing has become a vital tool for the management of our ecosystem with the ultimate objective of promoting sustainable development in all societies. Yet the application of space technology reaches far beyond the biosphere. It is also gaining increased importance in areas like combating organized crime. 

The rocket pioneer Robert H. Goddard once said: "The dreams of yesterday are the possibilities of today, and the realities of tomorrow." Those words should guide our work. I wish you success for the sake of our common future and for peace and progress for all mankind. 

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, KOFI ANNAN: Of all the important and challenging topics on the United Nations agenda, perhaps none quite captures our imagination as does outer space. You need only look up to the stars to be filled with the sense of wonder that has spurred men and women to the exploration of space. But outer space does not only stir the soul. It also has greater practical implications for the lives of people everywhere. It is those implications the Conference will discuss. UNISPACE III, as the last major United Nations conference of this century, is a fitting symbol both of the achievements of the last hundred years and of the work of the Organization. 

The exploration of outer space has already revolutionized life on our planet in many ways. It has ushered in the satellite age, making possible the phenomenon we have come to know as globalization. In addition, observations from space have allowed us to better understand our environment, for example by imaging of the ozone layer or world climate conditions. And space technology has led to advances in fields as diverse as the monitoring of natural disasters and the development of navigational systems. These examples of the benefits of space technology -- some immediately apparent, some much less so -- provide a powerful justification for the carrying on with basic research in space science. Our collective knowledge may be enriched in ways which today we cannot even imagine. 

Meanwhile, we can make much more use of what we already know. We can ensure that educational resources and medical expertise reach the most remote communities. With over one billion people remaining illiterate in the world, surely this must be one of our first priorities. We can improve our weather forecasting, and use it to minimize the effects of natural disasters. And we can use satellite monitoring to detect land mines, and even the cultivation of plants used to make illicit drugs. Indeed, the United Nations Drug Control Programme has recently signed an important agreement with the European Space Agency for that very purpose. In short, the potential is great. 

But there are dangers as well. Unfortunately, the advantages of globalization are far from being equally accessible to all human beings. For example, the telecommunications industry is estimated to be worth a trillion dollars annually, yet one-third of the world's population has never made a telephone call, and only five per cent has access to computers. And as the technology moves forward, the gap widens between those who are part of the wired world and those who are not. 

We must all work to ensure that the possibilities offered by technology, both in space and here on Earth, are used to foster tolerance, trust and shared values. They must not be instruments of hatred or division. Above all, we must guard against the misuse of outer space. We recognized early on that a legal regime was needed to prevent it becoming another arena of military confrontation. The international community has acted jointly, through the United Nations, to ensure that outer space would be developed peacefully. But there is much more to be done. We must not allow this century, so plagued with war and suffering, to pass on its legacy to the next, when the technology at our disposal will be even more awesome. We cannot view the expanses of space as another battleground for our earthly conflicts. 

On the contrary, we must ensure that the fruits of technical progress are made available to all people in all nations. This is an important aspect of global development, and therefore of direct concern to the United Nations. We must find ways to lower the cost of technologies associated with space science, and to provide developing countries with the resources to acquire them. We must also persuade policy makers to acknowledge and pursue the practical benefits of space technology for development. If these goals are to be achieved, partnership between nations is essential. So too is partnership with industry, commercial groups, and with non-governmental organizations. We can go even further and speak of partnership across generations. This Conference's Space Generation Forum is a valuable tool for including young people in discussions on outer space. It is to the young that we must look for the scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow. 

Space exploration has given us the opportunity to see the Earth for what it is in the context of the galaxies around us -- a tiny sanctuary of life in the midst of the magnitude of the heavens. Confronted with the vastness of the universe, we often feel our own insignificance. What we should feel even more is the absurdity of the divisions in our small world. Space is a resource we can all share. We must work together to unlock and exploit its secrets. We must ensure that no one is left behind as we move forward in the great adventure of exploring and developing outer space. The Vienna Declaration, which will be adopted here, must not just be a forum of words but a living force which will change the lives of future generations. 

Conference President U. R. RAO (India): UNISPACE III is the fruitful culmination of intensive efforts of all the Member States of the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space over the last eight years. Following the recommendations of UNISPACE II, the United Nations programme on space applications was considerably strengthened and expanded, resulting in increased opportunity for developing countries to participate in educational and training activities in space science and technology and to develop their indigenous capabilities in the use of space technology applications. 

A large increase in the number of developing countries involved in space activities since 1982, combined with the far reaching changes in the world's political climate due to the end of the Cold War, have undoubtedly created a conducive atmosphere for increased international cooperation. Rapid growth in the commercialization of space activities, which were earlier essentially the domain of Governments, has made a qualitative change in the spread of space benefits across the world. Sustainable development has rightly become the watch word for the survival of humanity in the next millennium. The decision to hold UNISPACE III against the background of these developments, with a view to taking stock of the recent advances in space science and technology and developing a comprehensive road map for promoting its wide spread application, is indeed both very relevant and timely. 

Satellite communication, with its vast reach and flexibility, has become the most powerful engine of growth for development. The global village is on the verge of transition from concept to reality, with information super-highways providing instantaneous access to the vast data bases and information networks -- an essential requirement for any nation to compete in the knowledge-based global economy. The practical benefits of space technology applications today touch virtually every facet of human endeavour extending over communications, navigation, meteorology, education, health, agriculture, resource management, environmental protection, disaster management and entertainment.

Economic globalization in the technologically advanced world has resulted in the marginalization of countries with scarce resources. Humankind, in its relentless pursuit of progress, comforts and security, has been indiscriminately overgrazing both the renewable and non-renewable resources of our planet, resulting in severe degradation of large tracts of once fertile land and loss of bio-diversity. A rapidly growing population has further compounded these problems, particularly in the developing countries, where poverty, environmental degradation and human deprivation are closely linked. The greatest challenge facing humankind in the next millennium is in providing adequate food, economic, health and environmental security on an assured basis to all the people of the world. 

The intensive national and international efforts, particularly in the last two decades, have undoubtedly enabled many countries to benefit from the application of space technology in several areas. While a few developing countries have developed their own indigenous capability to build and launch satellites, others have used commercially available satellites from other countries and international organizations. The recent development of small application satellites based on the " faster, better, cheaper" philosophy has facilitated even economically poorer countries to have low cost access to space. However despite those efforts, the impact of space technology in developing countries continues to be minimal, primarily due to non-affordability, lack of expertise and inadequate awareness among decision-makers. 

The primary objective of UNISPACE III is to promote maximal use of space science and technology to solve problems of global and regional significance. This requires strengthening the capabilities of Member States, particularly developing countries, to use space technology towards achieving economic, social and cultural development. The theme of the Conference, "Space benefits for humanity in the twenty-first century", is expected to address the basic issues of the developing countries related to education, training, technical assistance and industry involvement. The Conference provides a unique opportunity for policy makers around the world to become aware of the latest scientific and technological developments in space, which may help them in designing appropriate techno-economic policies for their own national development. 

Unless we appreciate that land is not just real estate, a mere lifeless geosphere, but a living biosphere through which our planet breathes, sustainable development will remain a dream. It is necessary for all nations to think globally while acting locally, to ensure harmonious development of all societies in the coming decades.