CLOSING STATEMENT BY Mr. U. R. RAO
PRESIDENT of UNISPACE III

Distinguished Leaders of delegations, Ambassadors, representatives of Member. Nations and the United Nations, Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen

it is indeed a matter of great satisfaction that we have concluded the historic UNISPACE III conference with the final adoption of the Vienna Declaration by consensus. The Vienna Declaration truly represents the road map for the pursuit of Space exploration and utilisation of the immense capability of space science and technology and its applications for the benefit of all human kind in the coming decades of the next Millennium.

I believe that UNISPACE III will be recognised in history as an important event held at the threshold of the new Millenium, as the humankind transitioned from an era of confrontation to an era of close and intense cooperation. The new geo-political context following the end of the Cold War years, has seen rapid advances in space technology, emergence of the globalization of economic activity and a harmonious trend towards commercial exploitation of space technology and applications - all of which made it imperative for us to take a fresh look at the whole gamut of space activities at both the intergovernmental and technical levels.

Over eight years of sustained efforts by all the member states and four years of hard work by the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), acting as the Preparatory Committee of the Conference, have preceded the Conference. Four regional preparatory conferences held in the past one year in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe have provided invaluable inputs highlighting issues of particular relevance to their region. During the Conference, spread over ten working days, 59 delegations of Member States and 13 delegations representing nonMember States, specialised agencies, inter-govern mental organisations and NGOs have voiced their hopes and aspirations. 40 technical workshops, seminars and round-table discussions have provided valuable inputs as part of the technical forum activities. Two Technical Committees and an open-ended Working Group have tirelessly worked to carry out a comprehensive programmatic review of the draft report and give final touches to the Vienna Declaration.

An unique feature of the conference has been the integral involvement of space industry leaders through their participation in the technical discussions, exhibitions and decision making along with scientists, technologists and policy makers. This is undoubtedly due to the recognition of the growing importance of commercialization in promoting rapid spread of practical benefits of space science and technology and the applications across the world. Another significant feature of this conference is the involvement of youth in the space generation forum, who being entirely the product of the space age, truly represent the future generations. With their rare sense of idealism and ability to think independently and boldly without being constrained by the past, they have been able to project their vision of the future world in which they would like to live in.

The Vienna Declaration is the final out come of the synthesis of more than 2000 voices from over 100 countries, both developed and developing, speaking different languages and representing different cultures, sitting together as one forum in this conference. Consensus adoption of the Vienna Declaration is a standing testimony to the spirit of cooperation exhibited by all member states of the UN, which have implicitly recognized the need to weave the spectacular technological advances in space with enlightened human spirit.

We have recognized, during this Conference, the adventure of the space exploration which has enabled us to trace our history to the beginning of the universe and reach out to the very limits of the vast cosmos, providing us with a new perspective of our existence on this small, beautiful, green and blue planet of ours. We have dared to look into the challenges of the future when the indomitable spirit of adventure will enable the humankind to extend its presence farther out in space.

We have recognised the immense benefits of the application of space science and technology for establishing global connectivity, eradication of illiteracy, improved navigation, providing health security, optimal management of natural resources, environmental protection and management of natural disasters. Recognising the finite nature of limited natural resources, we are firmly convinced that sustainable development is no more an option but has become a basic imperative to ensure the well being of future generations. Interlinkages of natural and anthropogenic activities across the world through geosphere, lithosphere and biosphere demands that all nations must think globally before acting locally to preserve the integrity of our precious eco-system, with all its biodiversity, for the future generations. We have recognised the need to promote meaningful education and training through regional and international cooperation for rapidly building up the human capacity in the developing nations in particular, to enable people to live a dignified life on this planet.

While space communication has no doubt shrunk time and distance converting our planet into a global village, we have sadly noted that three quarters of the inhabitants of the global village in the so called developing countries continue to suffer from hunger, malnutrition, large scale illiteracy, poverty, poor agricultural productivity, industrial backwardness, inadequate infrastructure, lack of resources and capital and a poor quality of life. The rapidly growing population in these countries, expanding at the rate of a quarter million people a day, with very limited resources, has sharply brought to our focus the immensity of the challenges of providing basic food, economic, health and environmental security to all the people in the world. Equally important is the growing awareness of the indiscriminate over-grazing of our planetary resources, both renewable and nonrenewable, in our relentless pursuit of progress, comforts and security which have resulted in the global disease of environmental degradation.

During the last 2 weeks all of us assembled here have collectively debated and discussed various aspects related to the applications of space technology with the firm conviction that space technology, with its clearly proven ability, can be the most powerful enabler for transforming the lifestyle on this planet. Space technology can provide all countries, developing countries in particular, unique opportunities to leap-frog and fully participate in the technology rich, information society of the next Millenium.

ONIPACE-111 recommendations are the outcome of our collective recognition that space technology holds the best hope for tackling the basic problems facing the world today. The recommendations include specific action plans which address our needs for protecting the environment and optimally managing our natural resources, using space applications for human security and welfare, advancing scientific knowledge of space, increasing the opportunities for capacity building and facilitating enhanced regional and international cooperation.

UNISPACE III has truly demonstrated that the scientists, technologists, industrial leaders, decision-makers and the future citizens of the world can all work together for the common good of humanity. All member states participating in this historic conference have unequivocally and unanimously demonstrated their will to ensure the integrity of our precious eco-system, essential for the survival of humanity as a whole, and have emphasised the need to accelerate the peaceful uses of outer space, which is the common heritage of humankind.

The Vienna Declaration embodies the hope and aspirations of all member states and their determination to employ the advances in space sciences and technology in the service of the human kind and for the improvement of quality of life of all the people in the world through sustainable development. Specifically, the Vienna Declaration proposes the nucleus of strategy to address global challenges of the future which include comprehensive world-wide environmental monitoring for global observation and implementation of integrated space based global disaster management system by building upon the existing capabilities and enhancing them where needed. It addresses promotion of education and public health in rural areas, improvement of search and rescue, geodesy and other activities by space based navigation and positioning system, capacity building through enhanced education and training activities and information sharing between nations by establishing efficient national and global information infrastructures. The protection of outer space environment has been emphasised to ensure smooth and orderly growth of future space activities by Member States. The Declaration has also stressed on the role of the UN system for strengthening and re-positioning of space activities and in the formulation of appropriate treaties and obligations governing principles of space activities by Member States.

The Vienna Declaration, thus, symbolises the expression of the common will of entire humankind to ensure a dignified life of fulfillment for all people and a prosperous future for coming generations. It recognises that the entire humankind on this planet has a common genetic origin and in-spite of the inherent differences in physical, technical and cultural attributes, which is the essence of human diversity, the right to live a life of fulfillment is most fundamental for all human beings on this planet.

While all of us agree that the achievements of the UNISPACE-111 Conference have been truly substantial, the real impact of the Vienna Declaration can only be realised when all Member States translate it into actions. It is for the distinguished delegates and COPUOS to carry forward the glowing torch of the new space vision contained in the Vienna Declaration by implementing the action plans, which will enable the humankind, as a whole, to build a new world that we have envisioned. If we succeed in our effort, which we must, history will surely recognise UNISPACE-111 Conference as a major milestone in our space adventure heralding the turning point in intensifying global efforts to promote sustainable development.

I take this opportunity to record our sincere thanks to Mr Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of UN and His Excellancy Thomas Klestil, Federal President of Austria for their inspiring address on July 19 and setting the tone of the Conference. Organizing a Conference of this magnitude requires intense coordination and support and the entire credit goes to our dynamic Executive Secretary, Dr Jasentuliyana, and his excellent staff in the Office for Outer Space Affairs division. These dynamic people, backed by their Secretariat and Interpreters, have spent sleep-less nights in planning, preparing and coordination of various activities and have made this Conference a memorable one.

I have been equally fortunate in having an excellent Bureau, including the distinguished VicePresidents, Rapporteur General and the Chairmen of the two Technical Committees and the technical forum and their Rapporteurs whose assistance have been invaluable in the conduct of the Conference. I would also like to commend and thank Mr Tremayane Smith, who readily agreed and volunteered to coordinate the Open-Ended Working Group of the Plenary and did an excellent task in coordinating the various suggestions of the delegations for finalising the Conference Report. Various Experts who participated in the Technical Forum, participants of the Space Generation Forum, leaders of space industries, UN and its specialized agencies, professional bodies, NGOs and many eminent personalities all over the world have, directly and indirectly, contributed to the success of the Conference. I would like to extend my grateful thanks to all these people and many others who have worked for the success of this Conference.

The credit for the positive achievement of this historic Conference, truly belongs to all the distinguished delegates and representatives participating in this Conference. But for the excellent spirit of cooperation, accommodation and understanding exhibited by all of you, the Conference would not have been able to achieve its objectives. I am grateful to all of you for unanimously electing me as the President of the Conference and providing your whole-hearted support that made my difficult task much simpler and enjoyable. While it has been my great privilege to be the Chairman of COPUOS for the last three years and President of this unique and historic event, I only hope I have lived upto your expectations and justified your faith in me. Distinguished delegates, two weeks ago we assembled here to collectively chalk out our future programme to be followed and the goals to be realised in the application of space science and technology. All of us have shared the same dream, the dream of forging a global partnership for achieving improved standards for all, better protected and managed ecosystem and a safe and more prosperous future. The Vienna Declaration may not be a blue-print for solving all the ills of the world nor is it intended to be. But I believe it is certainly a giant step forward in actively pursuing the dream of establi . shing a truly equitable global village of the future. I hope that the spirit of the Vienna Declaration would be carried far beyond the boundaries of this beautiful city to spread across to every corner of the world and perhaps into outer space. I now bid farewell to all of you and hope you will have a safe journey back to your homeland from where you will dedicatedly pursue the goals set forth in the Vienna Declaration.

I now declare closed the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

Thank You.