Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me first express the satisfaction of my delegation to see you as chairman of this important conference, the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III). We rest assured that the deliberations the coming weeks under your able leadership will lead to successful and sustainable results for the benefit of all countries. My delegation offers its full cooperation and support in your efforts.
Through you, Mr. President, I would also like to extend my delegation's most sincere thanks to the Director of the Office for Outer Space Affairs and his staff for an extensive and efficient work to prepare and carry through this conference.
Mr. President,
UNISPACE III takes place against the background of a growing significance of space science and technology in areas of human endeavour. Sweden has been a member of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space since 1959 and has had the opportunity to follow closely the development of international cooperation in space activities. Much has happened in outer space and on Earth since the Unispace conference in 1982. The end of the cold war opened up for new political opportunities also for space cooperation that are now being explored and exploited.
Outer space is no longer a domain for scientific purposes only. An increasing share of space programmes are geared to developing practical applications to cater for various needs on Earth. Commercial interests are also growing, but fundamental space science remains the base for all outer space activities.
This is certainly a field of growing interest in a large number of countries in the world. Not only a small country like my own, but to an increasing degree almost every space nation, is dependent on international co-operation to get space projects off the ground. International frameworks for co-operation, such as the United Nations, which cater for a broad dissemination and exchange of information and the developing of regulatory aspects, are indispensable tools. Knowledge about the space policies and programmes of individual countries contributes to the furthering of mutual understanding and to the promoting of fruitful cooperation in outer space.
Sweden's participation in international and more particularly European space cooperation through the European Space Agency, is a prerequisite for developing space based activities in Sweden. In this context I wish to refer to our National Paper to this conference, A/CONF. 184/NP/1. Here, delegations will find a brief overview of the Swedish space programme as well as sources for further information.
Mr. President,
My delegation is particularly pleased to note in the draft report of this conference the enhancement of the role of space science and technology for the environment. We are convinced that developing Earth observation applications and building up the competences to use them worldwide would play a key role in promoting a global sustainable development.
The main goals of Sweden's Earth observation activities are to support research and technology, to secure the continuity of global data and to promote the use of satellite information for societal applications, in particular environmental monitoring, forestry, meteorology and topographic mapping. Sweden has thus developed a strong capacity to contribute to the global environmental programmes.
There are many ways to promote competence building and development of indigenous capability to use space based technology for local and regional needs. One of them is to share knowledge and experience. In this spirit the Government of Sweden and the United Nations Space, Applications Programme arrange annual training courses on remote sensing for educators from developing countries.
The main objectives of these courses are to develop practical knowledge and skills of educators in remote sensing technology and to equip them with the skills needed to introduce the discipline into educational programmes in their own countries.
We hope that these courses will have multiplying effects and create informal networks between people sharing similar problems and concerns in different parts of the world.
Let me also in this context convey a special thank to the United Nations Expert on Space Applications, Dr. Abiodun, for his never failing efforts to engage Member States and others to participate in and to contribute to the space applications programme.
Mr. President,
The United Nations Space Treaties and Declarations set the global rules for the use of and access to space for all nations. Sweden has ratified the Outer Space Treaty, the Rescue Agreement, the Liability Convention and the Registration Convention.
The peaceful settlement of disputes remains a strong obligation under the UN Charter. It is of utmost importance that States, to the greatest extent possible, accept binding mechanisms for the settlement of disputes. It is the view of Sweden that such a mechanism should be further strengthened also in the application of the provisions for dispute resolution under the 1972 Liability Convention. When Sweden acceded to the Liability Convention in 1976 its instrument of accession was accompanied by a declaration recognising the decisions of a Claims Commission established under the Convention as binding for Sweden on a reciprocal basis.
Sweden expresses the hope that States which have acceded or intend to accede to the Liability Convention would also avail themselves of this opportunity to make a declaration on the binding character of such arbitral awards. We believe that such action would both strengthen the protection of States themselves and contribute to the strengthening of the legal regime of Outer Space.
To conclude, Mr. President,
Through this conference the community of States has the possibility to realize the opportunities and to make use of the benefits of outer space activities. Space has a lot to offer.
Thank you Mr. President.