STATEMENT by H.E. DR. SUVIT VIBULSRESTH HEAD OF THE DELEGATION OF THAILAND
Mr. President,
On behalf of the Thai delegation, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, upon your election as the President of the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space-UNISPACE 111. Our congratulations are also extended to the other members of the Bureau. With your long experience and profound knowledge in space activities, the Thai delegation is confident that the Conference will definitely come to a success and meet expectations of member states. In this regard, the Thai delegation assures you of all the support in every possible means with a view to attain the objectives of the Conference.
I would like also to express my gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Austria for hosting this Conference in her beautiful and famous capital of Vienna. The Opening Ceremony reflects the wellorganized preparations of the United Nations in collaboration with the host government.
Mr. President,
Space-related activities are no strangers to Thailand, particularly during the past decade in which we have in our possession three satellites registered with the International Telecommunications Union, namely, THAICOMS 1, 11 and 111. Unfortunately, when the economic crisis took place in Southeast Asia, the project to launch THAICOM IV has been delayed. However, Thailand has remained committed to maintain extensive cooperation with other countries. Needless to say that Thailand has, subject to her limited resources, made the maximum use of satellites in the areas of telecommunications, earth observation, meteorology, tele-education, human resource development, etc.
We have never lost sight of the concept of sustainable development which is incorporated in our Eighth 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 the outer space and also the equitable sharing of space-related benefits. We hope that the United Nations will continue its attempt in bridging the gap between the developed and developing countries in this respect.
Regional c ooperation 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 Thai delegation recalls the tireless efforts made by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 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 our part of the world. Moreover, it is our conviction that the regional cooperation as such will receive a full support and endorsement at the Ministerial Conference on Space technology for Development, to be held in India, in November, 1999. If this is the case, the space activities in Asia, especially in Southeast Asia, will be enhanced for the benefit of the countries and people in the next millenium.
In fact, cooperation in any field may exist in an intra-regional or inter-regional fashion. Space-related cooperation is no exception. Given the Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education being established in India, it is very timely that cooperation could spill over to the effect that a branch center for remote sensing and GIS or mode in remote sensing and GIS may be set up in Thailand, of which the offer to host the branch has been made known to the international community for years. We are optimistic that agreement could be reached in due course. The increase in number of modes, in our view, reflects how cooperative countries within and outside the region are when it comes to a consensus that the expression of modes leads to the effective operation of the network.
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, and so on. Joint programme and collaborations between the government agencies and the industry would be more vital for the benefit of all mankinds.
Mr. President,
As we are moving towards the next millennium, focus should be made on the public awareness in each and every country to fully comprehend the application and use of space technology. Seminars and training programmes at a regional level should be made as frequently as possible, covering the activities related to all aspects of space science and technology.
In the meantime, to facilitate the process of accession to the five outer space treaties developed by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), and to further develop space law in accordance with the needs of the international community, account should be taken to the translation of such international instruments into the official language of each country. To that end, funding could be another avenue if approach for the developing countries to publish all necessary instruments with translation for free distribution. In that light, a fellowship programme of in-depth training courses and workshops should be provided on an incremental basis.
The Thai delegation welcomes warmly the increase of membership of COPUOS to the effect that the developing countries will be represented in a fairer and more equitable manner. We fully endorse the outcome of the Regional Preparatory Meeting to UNISPACE III held in Malaysia in May 1998. We hope that this principle will be fully supported at this Conference so that the interests of the developing countries will be better served.
In conclusion, Mr. President, we would like to emphasize that the concept of cooperation still prevails and, in fact, it is our duty to cooperate with one another. It is only a matter of translation of the concept into concrete action so that the benefits of space application will be equitably shared in the years to come.
Thank you.