Closing Statement by the Chairman of the Technical Forum
 

Distinguished delegates and representatives, dear guests, ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to report briefly about the outcome of activities of the Technical Forum during the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. As you know, the Technical Forum was an integral part of UNISPACE III and consisted of 38 seminars, workshops, symposia, scientific and technical fora, round tables and panel discussions. Its purpose was to examine various issues in detail, which were related to the items on the agenda of the Conference. Immediately following the completion of each activity, all conclusions and proposals were summarized and submitted to the relevant Intergovernmental bodies of the Conference for their consideration. Most of them were accepted and have contributed significantly to the final report of the Conference.

The individual activities of the Technical Forum have been prepared not only by UN Member States and national and international space agencies, but also by renowned scientific and technical organizations, such as COSPAR, IAF, IAA, IAU, IISL and many others. In this context I would like to particularly praise the alumni of the International Space University, who have prepared a very complex programme of the so-called Space Generation Forum, aimed at university students and young professionals so that they can fully express their creative visions the future of space in the context of the themes being discussed at UNISPACE 111.

Appropriately, the activities of the Technical Forum have been structured according to the agenda items of the Conference. The first group dealt with the status of the scientific knowledge of Earth and its environment. Its main components were the Scientific Forum on Climate Variability and Global Change, prepared by NASA; the International Forum on Integrated Global Observing Strategy into the Next Millennium, prepared by the IGOS Partnership; the Workshop on "Blue Planet and Green Planet" prepared by CNES; and the Workshop on Meteorological Satellite Systems, prepared by EUMETSAT on behalf of the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites. Each activity examined the current status of knowledge in these areas, and have identified ways and means to further enhance regional and international cooperation.

The second group of Technical Forum activities explored the status and applications of space science and technology. To date, the most promising field of applications is based on advancedmethods for remote sensing of the Earth. It was covered for example by the Workshop on resource mapping from space, coordinated by the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing [ISPRS], and by two workshops on disaster detection, monitoring and mitigation, organized by the European Space Agency and ISPRS. Applications of space remote sensing technology in agriculture, infrastructure, environment and decision-making become an indispensable tool to support sustainable development of our global society. Methods on how to use space technology, particularly satellite communications, for global health, telemedicine and education were also examined under this section of the Forum.

The benefits of basic space science and capacity building were the other areas examined by our Technical Forum. We discussed recent progress and future plans for further exploration of the solar system, particularly Mars, as well as the study of near-Earth asteroids and comets which may pose a hazard to our planet in the future. In this connection, we also addressed the issue of how to avoid the contamination of near-Earth space resulting from human space activities and how to preserve a clear sky for astronomical research. Activities to consider these issues have been organized by COSPAR, the International Astronomical Union, the International Academy of Astronautics, and the Planetary Society.

Another important group of issues is related to the information needs and economic and societal benefits of space technology applications. In the workshop organized by the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, we explored the emerging convergence of wireless communications, Earth remote sensing observations and geographical information systems. The Canadian Space Agency has prepared a two-session workshop on the importance of developing indigenous Earth observation industrial capabilities in developing countries. The emphasis was on capacity building and on developing the necessary strategic partnership between government and industry. The workshop has produced a report on the options available to those countries and suggested course of actions to assist them in developing indigenous, self-sustaining Earth observation capabilities.

The workshop on the use of small satellites for the service of developing countries has produced important guidelines for near-term involvement of the United Nations in this promising area. On the other hand, perspectives of the use of clean and inexhaustible solar power in space, discussed under the guidance of International Astronautical Federation experts, is something that might substantially influence our society in the next millennium.

Personally, I would consider the promotion of international cooperation to be a central point of the Technical Forum as a whole. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, in cooperation with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the French space agency CNES, the European Space Agency, the Indian Space Research Organization, the International Astronautical Federation, the International Space University and many others, have prepared a sequence of high-level discussion panels and fora, involving the heads of space agencies, space industry CEOs and academia, to discuss the theme of the Conference - "Space Benefits for Humanity in the Twenty-First Century". Additionally, the presentation of results from deliberations at several preparatory meetings and a four day-long Workshop on Space Law in the 21stCentury, which was prepared by the International Institute of Space Law, also fall into this important category. I am sure that this is where the main potential of UNISPACE III's contributions to the vision of future international cooperation will be identified.

Distinguished delegates,

The most important aspect of the Technical Forum was that it provided an open arena for government policy makers, top class scientists and engineers, managers of aerospace companies and the young generation of space enthusiasts to freely exchange ideas and visions for space activities. I wish to thank you all, particularly the organizers of the Technical Forum activities who have worked hard to prepare the very rich programme of this Conference.

I am confident that the results of the Technical Forum have significantly contributed to achieving the objectives of UNISPACE 111, and to maximizing the benefits of space for every human inhabitant of the Earth.

Thank you.