UNISPACE III  SPACE/V/4
PM Meeting
20 July 1999
 

CONFERENCE DISCUSSES WIDENING TECHNOLOGY GAP BETWEEN DEVELOPED
AND DEVELOPING NATIONS, IMPORTANCE OF PEACEFUL OUTER SPACE

  UNISPACE III Urged to Create New Legal Norms to Take Into Account Participation of Industry and
Other Non-Governmental Entities in Space Endeavors

A monopoly on space science would bring power and wealth to privileged nations and cause hardship and deprivation to others, the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III) was warned this afternoon by the head of Indonesia's delegation to  the Conference, Harijono Djojodihardjo.  He proposed creation of a United Nations fund for large-scale educational opportunties, particularly in developing countries that would focus on space technology for social and economic development applications.

Norway's Ambassador, Helga Heres, also expressed concern about the widening technology gap between rich and poor nations.  Unless developing countries were given access to the technologies being discussed at the Conference, and on an equitable basis, they were likely to be further marginalized.  At the same time, she added, developing countries must also develop their own capacities to use those technologies.

On the same theme, the  Ambassador of Uganda, Semakula Kiwanuka, said the abundant space-related benefits should be made available to developing countries.  Africa needed a critical mass of men and women who were capable of utilizing and building on existing knowledge.  An enabling political and economic environment was critical in attracting investment not only to produce wealth but also to produce and retain national capacity and prevent the "brain drain".

Also this afternoon, several speakers emphasized the importance of using space for peaceful purposes.  Alexander Medvedchikov, the Deputy Director-General of the Russian Federation's Space Agency, stressed that space must not be used as an arena for rivalries or a testing ground for new weapons.   Ensuring that space was not militarized required coordinating the world community's efforts in the peaceful uses of outer space.  The United Nations was the only entity capable of assuming that task.  Only the United Nations could translate the will of the international community into action, solve global problems such as environmental pollution and overpopulation, and ensure the adoption of a code of space law.

New norms of space law must be created to take into account the participation of industry and other actors in space activities.  Existing legal norms were created when governments were the only players, but that was no longer the case.

Jog Yen Hang, Charge d'affaires of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea said some developed countries controlled the activities of the developing countries by politicizing their exploration of space.  Meanwhile, they themselves used space for military purposes, creating serious threats to international peace and security.  He called on the Conference to find ways and means to cope with these challenges.

Statements were also made by the representatives of the Ukraine, Morocco, Canada, Indonesia, Tunisia, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Norway and Thailand.  Also, representatives of the INTERSPUTNIK International Organization of Space Communications and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) spoke in their capacity as observers.

The representatives of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea exercised their rights of reply.

The Conference will continue its general exchange of views at 9 a.m. tomorrow, 20 July.

Conference Work Programme:

The Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III) met this afternoon to continue its general exchange of views.

Statements:

A. MEDVEDCHIKOV, Deputy Director-General, Russian Space Agency, Russian Federation:  The many exciting developments taking place in Russian Federation's space programme will be discussed in other fora of this Conference, but it should be said that Russia is continuing work in all areas of space activity today, over 40 years since the first artificial satellite was launched and a new era in humankind's history began.  Despite the difficult political situation at the height of the Cold War, the conquest of space has always been a source of peaceful cooperation.  In that area, the leading role belongs to the United Nations and specifically to the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which has always been characterized by a spirit of cooperation and compromise.

Since the last UNISPACE Conference in 1982, space rivalries have been replaced by cooperation that was unimaginable only a few years ago.  The Russian Federation and the United States are cooperating on the MIR space station, while the International Space Station is a joint project of a number of countries.  Advances have also been made in the application of space science and technology.  Space technology, combined with information science, have led to the establishment of a global information village.  Another significant change is that private enterprise is now a powerful player in space activities.  While these developments promise humankind unimaginable benefits, the new possibilities also pose new challenges.  How the challenges of today are addressed will determine the fate of humankind, and effective efforts will require cooperation and mutual understanding.

It is imperative that in the twenty-first century, space does not become an arena for new rivalries or a testing ground for new weapons.  The world community must do everything to ensure that space is not militarized.   This requires the active and constructive coordination of the efforts of the world community in the peaceful uses of outer space, and the United Nations is the only entity capable of assuming this task.  Only the United Nations can ensure the adoption of a code of space law, translate the will of the international community into action, and solve global problems such as pollution of the environment and overpopulation.  In turn, United Nations work will prove impossible without broad support from the international community.  All States, and space Powers in particular, should give all possible support to the United Nations.  

In light of the recent emergence of a multiplicity of new participants in space activities, the question of effective regulation is not a theoretical one.  The norms of space law were created when governments were the only players.   These norms are not adapted to the current situation, with hundreds of new and non-governmental players.  Today, new norms must be created, taking into account the participation of States, commerce and industry, and other actors.  This matter must be dealt with by the United Nations and the entire international community.

BORIS PATEN, President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine:  The nature and context of space activity has changed significantly since UNISPACE 82.  There has been a marked improvement in the level of international cooperation and understanding of the potential of space science and technology.  Thanks to the creation of international and national data banks, there is now better and faster access to space information.  The leading space agencies and the United Nations are conducting an active policy of involving developing countries in space activities.  There is also the increasing role of regional organizations in carrying out space projects.  Ukraine, resulting from its participation in implementing almost all space projects and programmes of the former Soviet Union, has a developed industrial, scientific and engineering infrastructure for space research.  In 1992, it established the National Space Agency, whose goal is to control the space industry and establish productive international cooperation in the field of science and technology.

Ukraine's policy in the area of the peaceful development of space is aimed at preserving and strengthening scientific schools and the scientific and engineering potential of the space industry.  Special attention is also given to purpose-oriented training of a generation of future designers of space systems and of researchers.  The areas of Ukraine's second national space programme (1998-2002) are remote sensing, near-Earth space studies, extra-atmospheric astronomy, space biology, space technologies and space transportation systems.

Considering the social significance of preserving human life, Ukraine has put forward the initiative of establishing a "Space Patrol" system under the United Nations auspices, which is a global system of warning on emergencies and hazardous situations which pose a real threat to society and human beings.  The system will promptly transmit information on extraordinary events from objects and people to regional control points of emergency and rescue services, so that emergency measures are taken to rescue human lives and control emergencies.

 NAJIB ZEROUALI, Minister of Higher Education, Vocational Training and Scientific Research of Morocco:  Thirty years ago the world shook when Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon.  Therefore, Morocco proposes that the Vienna Declaration proclaim  20 July as International Space Day.  In addition, the International Decade for Natural Disasters should be renewed.   Space science should be used for the development of all nations and all persons.  New developments in and increased applications of space technology affect the international economy and international cooperation.  Space technology must be placed at the service of all humanity to address the planet's complicated and vital needs.

The African continent is now to have a regional centre for space training and research, which will enable it to play a more central role in future space activities.   The establishment of a centre for French, Spanish and Portuguese-speaking African countries is part of the framework of United Nations regional centres.  The centre will generate dynamism for cooperation on the African continent, leading to regional strategies.  In particular, it will provide training for professionals in space technology through regional training workshops, among other means, focussing first on satellites, atmosphere science and environment.  The centre's training programme, set up by the United Nations, has been adapted to the African reality and will begin in January 2000.  The United Nations efforts stem from its conviction of the importance of improving the conditions of the African people.  Morocco has decided to hold a regional meeting for African space next October on the conclusions of UNISPACE III.

Space is a common human heritage.  It must not become a sphere for nuclear confrontations or satellite debris.  In space there are no borders between countries.  Perhaps what could not be achieved on Earth can be achieved in space.  It should be a place of brotherhood.

W. M. "MAC" EVANS, President of the Canadian Space Agency:  Canada recognizes that its future success will depend on its ability to respond to the profound changes taking place in the global space context.  The end of the Cold War has ushered in a new era of international cooperation in space, providing new opportunities for partnerships and creating a new sense of urgency for addressing long neglected global problems.  The decline or leveling off in public sector civil space expenditures has been accompanied by an explosion of private sector activity, driven by rapidly increasing consumer demand for space-based services and applications.  Canada's new space programme, unveiled outside the country for the first time today, was conceived to respond to this challenging new environment.  It will allow the Agency and its partners to better implement Canada's activities in the five priority areas:  Earth and environment; space sciences; human presence in space; satellite communications; and space technology.  The new plan, while providing new and stable resources, emphasizes user needs and makes a strong contribution to the knowledge-based economy by leveraging Canadian Government funding through partnerships, both domestic and international.  The Programme will be built, as it has always been, on international cooperation.

The world has entered a new era, in which accessing information has become nearly effortless, in which our lives are increasingly influenced by global ideas and values, and in which information and the services related to it will drive an economy many times more important than the industrial production of the world's nations.  But the world has also entered an era in which it is recognized that humankind is exhausting the planet's capacity to sustain an ever-growing population and that it may be spending the well-being of future generations for the sake of current consumption.  Humanity is awakening to the environmental challenge, gaining a new appreciation of the fragility of life on Earth.  Out of a globally shared sense of responsibility is emerging a sustained effort to limit waste and pollution, protect flora and fauna, and undo the harm done to the Earth's environment.

HARIJONO DJOJODIHARDJO of Indonesia:  As a developing country, Indonesia is still facing obstacles that impede the utilization of space applications for development, the most poignant of which being inadequate physical infrastructure for general education and public health, lack of technological proficiency for addressing sustainable national development issues and limited availability of financial resources.  It is a known fact that only a small number -- less than 8 per cent -- of the world's research and development capacity comes from the developing countries, which constitute a large part of the world population.  Some may argue that the ever widening gap is a logical consequence of differing levels of efforts exercised by nations.  But if the situation is left unchecked, it will create a monopoly of space science and technology by a small number of countries, which in turn will lead to economic dependency of a large number of countries, bringing power and wealth to the privileged nations and causing more hardship and deprivation to others.

The United Nations could play a signficant role in reversing the widening gap in the capabilities of States in the application and development of space science and technology and increase its efforts, with the assistance of the countries having relevant capabilities, to pursue a more equitable distribution of capabilities in space science and technology and its applications and benefits.  A new fund managed by the United Nations should be created or existing funding enhanced and restructured to allow large scale educational opportunities and human resource development for people, particularly in developing countries, to develop, master and apply space science and technology for social and economic development applications.  Also, efforts should be made so that the commercialization of space technology and its applications provide benefits not only to advanced countries, but also to developing countries.  Developing countries, as consumers, could share the efforts of such commercialization.  The industrialization and commercialization of space technology and its applications could be carried out by industrial and developing countries alike as partners in a cooperation of mutual interest and benefits.  In addition, the United Nations could address the needs of developing countries for international legal mechanisms to facilitate access to space science and technology for their economic and social development needs.

ABDELAZIZ CHAABNE, Ambassador, Tunisia:  Recent technological and scientific innovations, such as those related to information and biological life sciences, have impacted the world greatly.  But countries less developed in science and technology now face tremendous challenges which cannot be overcome unless they are allowed to catch up on current developments.  Human rights in the true sense includes the right to information.  Tunisia has attached great importance since its independence in 1956 to developing its human resources, and this was reflected in large financial commitments to developing educational systems and meeting the needs of national development.  Tunisia has taken up the burden of creating a modern and self-reliant society.  It has embarked on a total reform of the education sector and restructured the area of scientific research as a cornerstone of national development.

Developing Tunisian science and technology mechanisms, and using the results to overcome the challenges the country faces is part of the effort to bring about a modern society capable of using science in daily life, becoming part of the information age and participating in building it.  Tunisia's areas of focus include monitoring and exploitation of natural resources, ensuring food security by tracking forest and marine resources, tracking land, sea and air pollution, communications and their use in remote education and medicine, and monitoring celestial bodies.  Its work in developing these multiple applications shows that Tunisia understands the challenges of technology.

While Tunisia depends on its national capabilities in bringing about its aspirations in this field, it also welcomes collaboration.  The Government is trying to foster partnerships with those countries that believe that market competition should not rule out cooperation.  Humanity must cooperate, since expanding knowledge often requires consolidation of efforts from around the world.  Science should be used in the service of humanity, to save it from ignorance, poverty and marginalization.

SEMAKULA KIWANUKA, Ambassador, Uganda:  From the age of the wheel to the age of the microchip, people have harnessed the Earth's resources to meet their basic needs in food, shelter, clothing, defense, transportation and leisure.  The world's least developed countries, and those in Africa in particular, have an array of environmental concerns, including soil and land degradation, deforestation, loss of biodiversity as well as food security, desertification and water resources management problems.   Space benefits for humanity in the new millennium are increasingly abundant, and these environmental concerns are among the areas in which space technology has become increasingly useful.  These benefits should be made available to developing countries.  But the reality is that many of the least developed countries lack basic human, technical and financial resources and therefore depend on the sharing of experiences and technologies, and on collaborative projects.  Partnerships must involve developed and developing countries, and governments, industry and civil society.

Advanced economies are increasingly information-based.  In fact, information has become a factor of production, spurring the development of innovative products and growth.  The current economic boom being experienced by the United States is partly the result of that country's lead in information technology and the use of the Internet.   There is danger of further marginalizing developing countries because of the growing technological gap.

To use space technology to find solutions to regional and global problems, and to strengthen Member States capability to use space research for economic, social and cultural development, the bottom line for developing countries is this:  there must be sustained economic growth to improve literacy and institutions of knowledge and learning.  Africa needs a critical mass of men and women who are capable of utilizing and building on existing knowledge.  An enabling political and economic environment is critical in attracting investment not only to produce wealth but also to produce and retain national capacity and prevent the "brain drain".

BATTY WEERAKOON, Minister of Science and Technology of Sri Lanka:  At the time space science took the world by storm with the Russian Sputnik being put in orbit, the international community was divided into the First, Second and Third Worlds.  The World must ackowledge with pride the contributions of the former Soviet Union, and its people to this science.  This Second World is now no longer intact.  But we hope that the Third World together with the remnants of the Second, will keep alive the aspirations of the people of the developing countries.  In the past two decades, Sri Lanka has made use of space technology for communications, weather forecasting, natural disaster monitoring and disaster mitigation.  Being a developing country, Sri Lanka believes that space technology benefits could be achieved through regional and international cooperation.  Sri Lanka closely followed the Action Plan adopted by the Ministerial Conference on Space Technology Applications for Sustainable Development, held in Beijing in 1994, and had taken steps to establish the basic administrative needs to promote space science and technology within the country's financial capabilities.

Sri Lanka has now established a Space Application Centre under the administration of the Arthur C. Clarke Institute and has also formed a National Committee, which is chaired by the Minister of Science and Technology.  In order to create an awareness among the public, it has launched several programmes to popularize space science and technology among school children at various levels.  Sir Arthur C. Clarke's presence has put Sri Lanka on the space map.  He had made a tremendous contribution by introducing satellite communications globally under the global village concept.

JONG YUN HYONG of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea:  The Government has made much effort to explore outer space, relying on its national self-reliant economy and its science and technology for a long time.  Scientists and technicians have developed a multi-phase rocket capable of carrying an artificial satellite in the early 1980s and succeeded in manufacturing the satellite in the early 1990s.  The Democratic People's Republic of Korea put its first artificial earth satellite "Kwangmyongsong No. 1" into orbit on 31 August 1998.

To monopolize the development of space and use it for military purposes constitutes a challenge in the field of the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space.  Some developed countries control the activities of the developing countries by politicizing their exploration of space in order to dominate them.  Meanwhile, they themselves use space for military purposes, causing a serious threat to international peace and security.  It is necessary to find ways and means to cope with these challenges at UNISPACE III.

For the twenty-first century to be the era of space science, priority should be given to equal participation of all countries, particularly developing countries, in the activities for the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space.  The United Nations and space-related international organizations should pay particular attention to the availability of technology, funds and training of engineers, so that developing countries can equally participate in space activities.  Achievements in space science should be used for the social and economic development in developing countries.  Measures should be taken to divert some of the dividends from commercial satellites to development assistance.  The militarization of outer space should be prevented by all means.  In that connection, all countries are encouraged to implement the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly to put an end to the use of outer space for military purposes.  Monetary penalties could be one of the possible measures against those who launch any military satellites in contravention of Assembly resolutions.

HELGA HERES, Ambassador, Norway:  Space has become an indispensable arena for humankind.  Satellites are essential for communications and navigation, as well as environmental monitoring, among other uses.  Having large territorial waters, a long coastline and a scattered population, Norway has extensive requirements for communication and other satellite services. For Norwegian space activities, "usefulness" is a key word.   Applications are operationally directed.  Due to Norway's offshore activities and its large merchant fleet, communication and navigation are priorities, and the country has contributed actively to joint efforts in this respect.

The widening technology gap between rich and poor nations is a source of great concern.  Unless developing countries are given access to the technologies we are discussing, on an equitable basis, they risk further marginalization.  Developing countries must also develop their own capacities to use these technologies.  It is the common responsibility to ensure for the people of the planet a benign atmospheric and climatic environment as a basis for sustained economic, social and cultural advancement.

Despite rapid progress, Norway's understanding of the complex interaction between the various elements which together define the Earth's climate are not fully recognized and modeled.  The delicate ecosystem faces multiple threats, including climate change, ozone depletion, degradation of local environments, solar flares, even cosmic collisions.  These require global solutions and actions.  Climate change will have enormous impact on life.  Failure to understand the cause of this phenomenon would have enormous consequences.  Over-regulation could penalize development and growth, while under-regulation could undermine long-term survival.   International regulations must therefore be based on increased understanding of Earth's functioning.  Space activities are important in this effort.  Space tools will also be crucial in implementing the regulations by securing consistent monitoring worldwide.

SUVIT VIBULSRESTH, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment of Thailand:  Thailand has never lost sight of the concept of sustainable development, which is incorporated in its National Economic and Social Development Plan.  It is only the disparity between the developed and developing countries which has prevented the latter to have access to the optimal utilization of outer space and also the equitable sharing of space-related benefits.  The United Nations should continue its attempt to bridge the gap between the developed and developing countries in this respect.

Regional cooperation should by all means be strengthened.  It serves as an ingredient of fuelling regional development since the needs of all countries in the region will be properly addressed.  The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has made tireless efforts in utilizing space technology for sustainable development.  Such efforts have contributed greatly to the development of space activities in the Southeast Asian region, apart from the political bonds being improved among the countries in the area.  Given that the Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education is being established in India, it is timely that cooperation could result in a branch center for remote sensing being set up in Thailand.

Another point of constructive engagement in cooperation in space-related activities is the promotion of active participation by the private sector, which so far has made outstanding contributions to the international community in the areas of research and development, production and services in space technology.  Focus should be made on public awareness in every country to fully comprehend the application and use of space technology.  Seminars and training programmes at a regional level should be undertaken as frequently as possible, covering the activities related to all aspects of space science and technology.

G. G. KUDRYAVTSEV, Director General, INTERSPUTNIK International Organization of Space Communications:  INTERSPUTNIK is an international intergovernmental organization operating a global satellite communications system.  It coordinates its activity with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and cooperates with other organizations, which deal with the use of communication satellites, both in terms of technology and international regulation.  General changes in the geopolitical conditions in the early 1990s and rapid development of the telecommunications market led to more severe competition.  This led INTERSPUTNIK to revise its strategy to adapt to the dynamically developing environment.  It chose a new development strategy on the basis of long-term strategic alliances with satellite communications operators and manufacturers of spacecraft, launch vehicles and ground equipment with Russian, American and international satellite communications entities.

The global telecommunications network is an enormous and complex mechanism, which makes it possible to be connected with almost any country.  One of INTERSPUTNIK's priority tasks at the beginning of the third millenium is to technologically support telecommunication operators in bridging the gap between industrially developed and developing countries by means of introducing new technologies.  All INTERSPUTNIK is doing today and all it is going to do tomorrow is aimed at creating a common global information environment.  The closer we are connected with each other, the safer and more stable is our life on Earth.  This task can be fulfilled in close cooperation with all interested national and international organizations, particularly with the United Nations.  As a concrete contribution to the deepening of such interaction, INTERSPUTNIK proposes jointly with the United Nations Space Affairs Office to hold in the year 2000 a special event under the tentative title "Space Against Crime, Terrorism and Drugs".  Being an observer in the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, INTERSPUTNIK is prepared to be the initiator of this forum.

HE CHANGCHUI, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):   Since 1949, the FAO has been mandated to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living.  It is the largest autonomous specialized agency of the United Nations system.  One priority objective is promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development.  In the early 1970s, FAO introduced remote sensing technologies into its projects and programmes when it created a remote sensing unit.  In 1980, following a recommendation from the Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space, which was then endorsed by the General Assembly, the FAO Remote Sensing Centre was established with responsibility within the United Nations system for remote sensing of renewable natural resources.  FAO has a wide variety of activities in which remote sensing and communication technologies play key roles.

Some examples of this are the Organization's Africa Real Time Environmental Monitoring Information System, operated in the context of its Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture.  The Organization has a long history of involvement with climate-related activities and was a founding member of the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS), and hosts the secretariat of GTOS.   It has active
partnerships with other United Nations system entities and international bodies, and is developing active partnerships with the European Union, regional and national space agencies, educational institutions and other entities.  The FAO information infrastructure will improve the accessibility of data and information for decision-making by various stakeholders.

Statements in Exercise of Rights of Reply

Republic of Korea:  The North Korean statement might mislead the Conference.  The North Korean authority announced it had launched a satellite in August 1998 and today it asserted that it was for peaceful purposes.  Having carefully analyzed the relevant information, together with other countries, the Republic of Korea concluded that North Korea had launched a multistage rocket to put a small object into orbit, but without success.  The Republic of Korea is concerned that this demonstrates capabilities for medium or long-range missiles by North Korea.  Such a development, if unchecked would adversely affect the peace and security of the peninsula.  The President of the United Nations Security Council, on 15 September 1998, expressed the international community's concern about the act of North Korea.  Also, there have been recent reports that North Korea may intend to launch long-range missiles.  That would undermine the peace and stability of the region, and the ongoing policy of the Republic of Korea, with the support of the international community, to restore relations.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea:  The words of the South Korean delegate  simply follow the script written by South Korea's allies.  If they were true Koreans, they would be happy to see the first Korean satellite launched into orbit and not slander their compatriots without hesitation.