BRIEFING FOR PERMANENT MISSIONS

BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE FOR OUTER SPACE AFFAIRS

Friday, 8 September 2017

11.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.

Vienna International Centre

Building "C", Conference Room C-3, 7 th floor

 

STATEMENT

Distinguished representatives of Permanent Missions,

It is a pleasure for me to welcome you all at the annual briefing on the activities of the Office for Outer Space Affairs, in line with the practice that I initiated in 2015 of holding regular briefings for Permanent Missions. It continues to be my intention to institute a closer dialogue with you on processes and activities of interest and importance to Member States. I am therefore pleased to see your presence here today as a demonstration of the usefulness of these briefings.

The invitation circular that contains a list of the main topics for this briefing was circulated to all Permanent Missions at Vienna on 30 August 2017, and is also available in the back of the room. This statement is also available at the back of the room and will after this briefing be posted on the UNOOSA website. I will address each of the main points, and I and my team present here today are ready to respond to any questions you may have. Following my briefing, Niklas Hedman will provide you with information related to the meetings of the Committee and its Subcommittees and the preparations for the meetings at the 72 nd session of the General Assembly.

Distinguished representatives,

We are in one of the busiest and most challenging sessions cycle of the Committee and its Subcommittees, as we are approaching UNISPACE+50 in June 2018.

The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), at its 60 th session in June 2017, reiterated the importance of UNISPACE+50 as a  unique opportunity for countries to reflect on the achievements of more than 50 years of space exploration and look towards the future, aligning our work with current challenges and opportunities in the space arena and strengthening mandates. In other words, UNISPACE+50 should succeed in making COPUOS, its subsidiary bodies and the Office for Outer Space Affairs fit for purpose and responsive to new realities in the space arena, which we are all witnessing today, including the growth and diversification of space activities and increasing number of actors.

I would like to underline again the unique timing of UNISPACE+50 since this process coincides with global efforts towards meeting goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as implementing actions contained in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Distinguished representatives,

UNISPACE+50 also coincides with broader efforts made at the level of the United Nations Secretary-General to engage with Member States to strengthen the work of the United Nations, which calls for forging greater collaboration across the pillars of peace and security, development, and human rights, and overcoming silos and fragmentation to be able to generate improved policies and products, as the Secretary-General underlined in his recent message to Member States. UNISPACE+50 is in line with these processes because the very essence of this endeavor is to make considerable substantive progress at the global level, mainstreaming the use of space as a driver for development and enhancing cooperation and coordination of three inter-governmental platforms, namely the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC), the Legal Subcommittee (LSC), and the main Committee. With that, UNISPACE+50 combines and merges space science, technology, policy and law, thus following a unique cross-sectorial approach, which is essential if we are to strengthen the contribution of space to meeting the goals and targets of the sustainable development agenda.

In this regard, I wish to inform you that I held several meetings in July at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, including with representatives of the Executive Office of the Secretary-General as well as with the Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs with the aim of discussing and developing further cooperation regarding the contribution of space as a driver for sustainable development. I have further updated the high-level officials at the headquarters about our efforts, at the level of the Committee and the Office, to develop a comprehensive Space2030 agenda, to be approved at UNISPACE+50 in 2018. In this regard I'm pleased to inform you that we have received positive feedback from the Executive Office of the Secretary General on the topic. I also wish to underline the attention given by the Secretary-General to these so-called 'new frontier' issues, which will be duly considered in shaping Space2030 and in building up UNISPACE+50's concrete outputs and deliverables, with the aim of strengthening the role of 'frontier' space technologies in addressing overarching, long-term development concerns.

I. Preparations for the UNISPACE+50 high-level segment (20-21 June 2018) of the 61st session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including an update on progress of work under UNISPACE+50 thematic priorities and outcomes of flagships events

Distinguished representatives,

Allow me to briefly guide you through the main decisions by the Committee in June 2017 that serve as guidance for our upcoming work and activities. Further information is available in the final report of the Committee, A/72/20, para. 319-338. You will find copies of the COPUOS report at the back of this room as well as on our website at www.unoosa.org.

I.1. Main COPUOS decisions affecting the 2018 cycle of sessions and UNISPACE+50 draft resolution

  • Regarding the format of the UNISPACE+50 high-level segment, to be held on 20 and 21 June 2018:

The Office has prepared a Note Verbale for submission to Permanent Missions in New York, Vienna and Geneva, inviting delegations of all United Nations Members States to participate in the UNISPACE+50 high-level segment, as the Committee agreed, at the level of Head of State or Government, the ministerial level or at the otherwise highest possible level. Further information on UNISPACE+50, a sort of a fact sheet, is also attached to the Note Verbale, which is available for your information at the back of the room.

A tentative programme of the UNISPACE+50 high-level segment, as already presented at the 60 th session of COPUOS in June, is contained in the Annex to this statement.

  • Regarding consideration of UNISPACE+50 by the General Assembly in plenary meeting at its seventy-third session in 2018:  

A draft resolution will be tabled by Canada in its capacity as Chair of the Committee and will be submitted to this year's 72 nd session of the General Assembly. The draft resolution proposes for the General Assembly to consider UNISPACE+50 as a separate item on the agenda of its plenary meeting at the 73 rd session in 2018, to be held adjacent to the Fourth Committee when the Committee considers its agenda item on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. This draft resolution will be considered by the Fourth Committee on 11-17 October this year.

  • Regarding the outputs of UNISPACE+50 in 2018:

As agreed by the Committee, the UNISPACE+50 high-level segment is expected to conclude with concrete deliverables and outcomes as part of a draft resolution to be recommended for adoption by the General Assembly.

The Secretariat is preparing a first version of the draft resolution on UNISPACE+50. An advanced edited version in English will be circulated among all States Members of the Committee, and we are taking measures to have the draft resolution made available in the six official languages of the United Nations in advance of the 55 th session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, scheduled for 29 January to 9 February 2018.

In parallel, the Secretariat is preparing the "Space2030" agenda and its implementation plan - "Space as a driver for sustainable development". This document is envisaged as a long-term vision for space, for strengthening the contribution of space activities and space tools to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, strengthening the global governance of outer space activities, and based on the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. Set around the four key pillars - space economy, space society, space accessibility and space diplomacy, the "Space2030" agenda and its implementation plan will derive strategic objectives from the recommendations developed under the UNISPACE+50 thematic priorities, the High Level Forum on space for socio-economic sustainable development, and other UNISPACE+50 related key events. This strategic document will be made available in all official UN languages before the 55 th session of STSC. As mentioned earlier, I would like to again underscore the interest and possible contribution by the United Nations Secretary-General to this strategic document and we are working with the Executive Office of the Secretary-General to this extent.

With regards to Member States' negotiations on the UNISPACE+50 draft resolution and as agreed by COPUOS, the negotiations will take place during sessions of the Subcommittees and inter-sessionally. I would like, in this respect, to reiterate the importance of the intersessional meeting in the week of 7-11 May 2018 at the Vienna International Centre to finalize the draft resolution, and the Office, in its capacity as the Secretariat, will be inviting all States Members of the United Nations to participate in that meeting. It was agreed by the Committee that the chairmanship of this intersessional meeting will be undertaken by Canada.

I.2. Status of UNISPACE+50 thematic priorities (TPs) and flagship events/global conferences related to TPs:

With regards to the progress of work under the seven UNISPACE+50 thematic priorities, I wish to inform you that the Office, in its capacity as the Secretariat to the Committee, is, together with the respective mechanisms, working under each UNISPACE+50 thematic priority, preparing substantive reports on the outcomes and recommendations for implementation of the COPUOS-agreed objectives. The reports, to be issued in all of the official United Nations languages, will be available for the 2018 cycle of sessions. Their recommendations will, as mentioned, form inputs for the Space2030 agenda and its implementation plan.

I will use some slides now to brief you on progress under UNISPACE+50 thematic priorities, including the holding of several flagship events since COPUOS in June that provided recommendations for TPs.

[See power-point presentation: UNISPACE+50 Thematic priorities - Progress of work and flagship events]

I.3. Other ongoing initiatives and activities of the Office for Outer Space Affairs

In furthering our contribution to meeting the sustainable development goals and building cross-sectoral partnerships, both within the United Nations and with Member States and all relevant stakeholders, I also wish to inform you of the successful holding of the side event on 11 July at the 2017 High-level Political Forum, which is the United Nations central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. The side event, entitled "Eradicating Poverty and Promoting Prosperity in a Changing World: The Use of Space-based Technologies and Applications for Sustainable Development", was co-organized by the Permanent Mission of Austria in New York, the Permanent Mission of Ethiopia and UNOOSA. This side event, which was moderated by the Permanent Representative of Austria and opened with welcoming remarks by the Minister of Science and Technology of Ethiopia, clearly highlighted our joint commitments in strengthening the contribution of space for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and towards preserving our planet, as well as the relevance of holding such awareness-raising activities at the United Nations headquarters and the importance of the presence of the Office on a regular basis in New York.

Among other activities, I would also like to mention the holding of the third joint ICAO/UNOOSA Aerospace Symposium on 29-31 August at the Vienna International Centre. This Symposium concluded the series of three ICAO/UNOOSA Symposia, held previously in Montreal in 2015 and Abu Dhabi in 2016. The Symposia provided a cross-sectoral platform for innovative approaches and dialogue among the broader aerospace community, including aviation, space activities, and suborbital flights, giving impetus to an enhanced dialogue among all involved stakeholders. As such, this successful series of ICAO/UNOOSA Symposia addressed some of the areas under overarching objectives of UNISPACE+50, which, in the longer-term perspective, will form a part of the Space2030 agenda that connects space governance with the global agendas for development. The report of this series of Symposia, with a set of observations, is now under preparation and will be issued in all official languages for the 55 th session of STSC. I would also like to mention in this context that UNOOSA and the ICAO Secretariat will now establish closer cooperation and endeavor to set in motion a 2 nd phase in building upon this successful series of Symposia, in promoting dialogue among the aviation and space communities on complex cross-cutting topics fundamental to present and future aerospace activities.

I.4. High Level Forum: Space for socio-economic sustainable development, 6-9 November 2017, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Regarding the United Nations/United Arab Emirates High Level Forum (HLF) on space for socio-economic sustainable development, the Office, together with its partners, is preparing for convening the next High Level Forum, which I am pleased to note is becoming a unique platform for dialogue and partnership among Governments, international organizations, industry, the private sector, academia and civil society in order to connect the four pillars (space economy, space society, space accessibility and space diplomacy), UNISPACE+50, and the Space2030 agenda and its implementation beyond UNISPACE+50.

The four-day Forum will be held in Dubai, on 6-9 November. Further information is available on UNOOSA website. Let me just remind you that while the deadline for applications for funded participants is closed, we are still inviting self-funded participants with relevant expertise for the Forum's topics to register on-line until 30 September. This year, HLF is organized in a way that, during the first two days, on 6 and 7 November, the Forum will include presentations of lessons learned and new ideas on the established four pillars of space economy, space society, space accessibility and space diplomacy, including all their interactions and inter-linkages, as outlined in the Dubai Declaration.

On the following two days, 8 and 9 November, there will be a high level panel bringing together decision-makers from governments, space agencies, and other stakeholders to discuss the plan-of-action towards UNISPACE+50 and the Space2030 agenda. Please check our website for regular updates regarding the HLF2017.

II. Development of Space2030 agenda and its implementation plan

The Space2030 agenda is a long-term vision for space: for strengthening the contribution of space activities and space tools to the achievements of the internationally agreed development goals, and strengthening the global governance of outer space activities, based on the peaceful exploration and use of outer space.

The Space2030 agenda and its implementation plan, a strategic document, elements of which, as mentioned already, will be included in a dedicated UNISPACE+50 General Assembly resolution, is set around the four pillars of space economy, space society, space accessibility and space diplomacy, and corresponding strategic objectives.

The Office is fully committed to helping all countries benefit from space technologies and capabilities. The Space2030 agenda is therefore aimed at reducing the so-called "Space Divide" - a gap between nations mastering space capabilities and the rest. Similar to the Digital Divide, the difference in opportunities between those who have access to information and communication technologies such as the internet, the gap between nations mastering space capabilities and the rest is growing, creating a Space Divide, which threatens growth and increases inequalities.

Moreover, Space2030 will draw further attention to the need to strengthen the governance of outer space activities, the universality of outer space treaties, and the vital role of COPUOS, its subsidiary bodies and the Office for Outer Space Affairs as the United Nations platforms for space diplomacy. New, collectively negotiated normsunder the roof of international bodies, such as COPUOS, can ensure the benefits of space for future generations.

Based on the outputs under the UNISPACE+50 thematic priorities and related relevant inputs during preparatory work, the Space2030 agenda will also include elements on funding and implementation of actions, and expected time-bound results, including any additional or repositioned mandates of the Office for Outer Space Affairs and corresponding resources, in order to strengthen the delivery of adequate services, in particular for the benefit of developing countries.

III. Cooperation and coordination efforts by the Office towards UNISPACE+50 in 2018 and Space2030

III.1. Partnerships and agreements

With regards to furthering our cooperation with other space entities, I'm pleased to inform you that, following the decision by COPUOS in 2016, the Office is serving as the permanent secretariat to the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG), on the understanding that there would be no implications for the budget of the United Nations ( A/71/20, para. 119). This was also approved by the General Assembly in its resolution 71/90 in 2016. The Office has finalized the Call for Funds, with the European Space Agency (ESA) in support of our role as the permanent secretariat, which will allow us to carry out the responsibilities and facilitate cooperation and communication in the area of planetary defence. The European Space Agency is a member and current Chair of the SMPAG, and I would like to express my sincere thanks to ESA for their support in this regard.

I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the Government of Austria, with whom the Office has signed an agreement in support of strategic activities and events in preparation of UNISPACE+50.

The Office also announced, on Monday this week, the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) that focuses on several areas of cooperation. UNOOSA and UNITAR will work together to support Member States with Technical Advisory Missions, where the organizations will assess a state's risk and disaster management abilities and recommend solutions with space-based information, including training and capacity development.

The Office also signed an MoU with the World Space Week Association and is in the process of finalizing MoUs with the Asteroid Day Foundation and Paz y Cooperacion that will enable us to foster joint activities for key international space initiatives and promote the benefits of space to wider audiences.

With the view to complementing existing global or regional mechanisms, UNOOSA signed in the past years key cooperation agreements with providers of data and solutions, particularly with regard to Earth observation, including with DigitalGlobe and the China National Space Administration. We are now in the process of expanding these partnerships further, with a range of providers who are showing interest in more open data sharing policies and practices, so that more precise, timely and innovative resources can be made available to nations facing important challenges in sustainable development.

III.2. Engagement with industry and private sector entities

Distinguished representatives,

In accordance with the decision by the Committee at its last session in June, which endorsed that the Office must develop greater engagement with industry and private sector entities so that they support and contribute to the overall work of the Office and, for example, the "Access to Space" initiative of the Office, I wish to inform you that the Office has already established contacts with relevant UN system entities, such as the Ethics Office. This will provide us with further guidance and assistance in the establishment of an administrative framework and internal procedures so that the Office will be able to systematically and predictably engage with industries and private sector entities and, through such partnerships, deliver a greater and more substantively rich portfolio of services and solutions to help Member States and the United Nations as a whole meet internationally agreed development goals. In August, on the basis of the COPUOS endorsement, I visited several companies in the US including Facebook, Sierra Nevada Corporation and Virgin Galactic. I also received some indications from the President of the General Assembly in the same timeframe.

III.3. Resources and mandates

Based on current progress in the framework of preparations for UNISPACE+50, the implementation of the seven thematic priorities and working towards the Space2030 agenda for strengthening the use of space tools to meet internationally agreed development goals, the present status of exchange of ideas could possibly have long-term impacts on the Office's need for resources and could result in the need to review the structural set-up of UNOOSA. Documented in the ongoing fundraising efforts, the Office is already today stretched to its limits in terms of staff and resource allocation. With possible new mandates, a broader scope of responsibilities and new areas of work, the Office will face huge challenges to be able to cover the expected costs within the existing resources and to address the global challenges within the existing structures.

In this regard, UNOOSA counts on the support of Member States, mainly in terms of exploring new funding possibilities and on ideas for possible mandates' requirements for the Office. Among possible adaptations, UNOOSA identified a need to expand its physical network in order to globally support the requests of our Member States and quickly react on pressing issues, as well to be able to better lobby for our common endeavors and to promote the Office's vision of bringing the benefits of space to humankind. This could include a stronger presence in the regions of Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and in Geneva and New York.

Fulfilling existing mandates is also an important target for UNOOSA, and therefore some services, mainly as mandated under the UN-SPIDER programme, General Assembly resolution 61/110, will have to be implemented in the near future, also in line with the conclusions and recommendations of TP6. These actions will require additional resources and I hope the Office can engage with Member States to define ways and means to do that.

With regards to these issues, I am pleased to inform you that I have invited the Chief of the United Nations Programme, Planning and Budget Division (PPBD), Jan Huisman, to be present at the next session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee in January 2018. He will provide further information to Member States regarding the budgetary issues.

IV. Register

Since COPUOS, I am pleased to report that UNOOSA has processed registration submissions for 407 space objects (348 satellites, crewed spacecraft, probes and 59 non-functional objects, such as upper stages and inter-satellite structures) from Belgium, Canada, Japan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates and the United States under the Registration Convention and General Assembly resolution 1721B (XVI). Additionally, UNOOSA has also disseminated a notification on the establishment of a national space object registry by Uruguay and also notifications concerning space objects received from China and the United Kingdom.

UNOOSA also disseminated a notification from Sudan concerning the detection and survey of a meteorite impact within its territory, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 71/90, paragraph 9, concerning the work carried out by the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG) and in our capacity as the permanent secretariat of SMPAG. 

Concerning submissions, the Office would like to request that Permanent Missions submit registration documents in Word format or editable PDF format.

V. Outreach and UNISPACE+50

Regarding outreach events related to UNISPACE+50, I wish to inform you that we are moving ahead with the preparations for the UNISPACE+50 exhibition, which will be held from 18 to 29 June 2018 at the Vienna International Centre. The exhibition will consist of a number of booths in the Rotunda for exhibitors. UNOOSA will be releasing a call for applications for booth space shortly.

The Office is also preparing for the special events to be held two days prior to the UNISPACE+50 high-level segment. The following events are planned to take place on 18 and 19 June 2018:

The forum entitled: Towards Space2030: The Future of Space will bring together decision-makers from governments, space agencies, and other high-ranking officials to address the four thematic pillars: space economy, space society, space accessibility, and space diplomacy. Two special sessions on "Space for Women" (on 18 June) and "Space for Youth" (on 19 June) will also take place in conjunction with the forum.

The Office is also continuing to work with the United Nations Postal Administration on the issuance of commemorative stamps at UNISPACE+50, and is planning media and social media activities at UNISPACE+50 to increase awareness and engagement around the event.

UNOOSA is seizing upcoming outreach opportunities to continue raising awareness amongst the broader space community and the general public of UNISPACE+50 and surrounding themes. Such opportunities include a booth at the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide, Australia, later this month, and outreach activities around the 50th anniversary of the Outer Space Treaty on 10 October at United Nations Headquarters.

The Office continues to work with former NASA astronaut and now United Nations Champion for Space Scott Kelly to promote the work of UNOOSA, space for the Sustainable Development Goals, and UNISPACE+50. A major element of this cooperation takes place in social media initiatives to facilitate greater geographical reach of UNOOSA's messages. Mr. Kelly will participate in both the High Level Panel of the Space for Women Expert Meeting and UNISPACE+50 next June.

The UNISPACE+50 section of the UNOOSA website has been developed to provide clear information about UNISPACE+50 and preparatory work, including the thematic priorities. This webpage will be updated as further details are confirmed.

VI. Next briefing

January 2018 (TBC), UN HQ New York by the Director of the Office for Outer Space Affairs, together with the Permanent Representative of Austria, the host country of UNISPACE+50: The Office is currently in coordination with the Permanent Mission of Austria in New York to organize a briefing to the Permanent Missions in New York, focusing on UNOOSA's portfolio and preparations of UNISPACE+50.

Distinguished representatives,

Regular briefings before each of the sessions in 2018 will be held as usual, providing you with detailed information on the preparations for each of the sessions. Niklas Hedman and Luc St-Pierre are available in case you need additional information on the Programme on Space Applications, space law and policy, UN-SPIDER and COPUOS related issues. The Secretary to COPUOS, Niklas Hedman, will also later on brief you on preparations for the upcoming 72 nd session of the General Assembly in New York as well as other information related to contributions to COPUOS work.

Before concluding my briefing, let me stress a few key points, which I will complement with a couple of slides:

[ Concluding slides]

We are ahead of a challenging and hopefully rewarding cycle of sessions that should lead us to concrete outputs and deliverables from the UNISPACE+50 process - a dedicated UNISPACE+50 resolution to be recommended for adoption by the General Assembly and a comprehensive Space2030 agenda and its implementation plan, a strategic document containing a long-term vision for space and its contribution to the achievement of internationally agreed development goals and for strengthening the governance of outer space activities, making COPUOS and the Office for Outer Space Affairs fit for purpose and responsive to the current challenges in the space arena and global developments. New, collectively negotiated norms under the roof of COPUOS can ensure the benefits of space for future generations. UNOOSA stands ready to help Member States in the implementation of the decisions, including those related to the safety, security and sustainability of outer space activities.

Our joint endeavor is to meet our global goal to promote the development of international cooperation, space law and policy, and to harness the benefits of space science, technology and applications for all countries. 

UNISPACE+50 provides a unique opportunity to move forward with this space agenda and strengthen the governance of outer space activities, and in this regard directly address the use of space tools in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as goals and targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

The four pillars of space diplomacy, space accessibility, space economy and space society, which underpin the Space2030 agenda, underline the increasingly pivotal role of space in our daily lives and its importance in our modern society and for global economic development.

It is therefore important to consider all these issues in the plenary meetings of the General Assembly at its 73 rd session under a separate agenda item "Space as a driver for sustainable development".

Regarding the UNISPACE+50 outputs, let me again stress some of the key dates:

From 6-9 November, the space community will gather at the HLF2017 in Dubai to pave the way for further recommendations for UNISPACE+50. I would like to engage you to disseminate information on HLF2017 to your respective capitals. The applications are still on-going, with the deadline for self-funded participants 30 September.

I would also like to underscore the importance for Member States to engage actively in shaping the UNISPACE+50 resolution, to be presented to the General Assembly at its 73 rd session, in particular the importance of in-session and intersessional negotiations, which will take place here in Vienna in the week of 7-11 May 2018.

To conclude, it is a real pleasure for me to be able to engage with you in an mutually beneficial endeavor as we together progress on our common path towards the UNISPACE+50 cycle of sessions of the Committee and its Subcommittees, culminating in the UNISPACE+50 high-level segment on 20-21 June 2018.

I look forward to working with you in this regard and appreciate the support and trust vested in our Office and the on-going processes towards UNISPACE+50, Space2030 and beyond.

I will now open the floor for questions, and thereafter ask the Secretary of COPUOS, Niklas Hedman, to brief you on the upcoming General Assembly and Committee related events and contributions.

Thank you. The floor is now opened for questions.

 

 

ANNEX [1]

Key dates: 2018 cycle of sessions

Dates of the sessions of the Committee and its Subcommittees in 2018: 

  Date Location
Scientific and Technical Subcommittee 29 January to 9 February 2018 Vienna
Legal Subcommittee 9 to 20 April 2018 Vienna
Inter-sessional consultations on the UNISPACE+50 draft resolution 7 to 11 May 2018 Vienna
Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, with the 20 to 29 June 2018 Vienna
UNISPACE+50 High-level Segment 20 to 21 June 2018 Vienna

 

Dates and format of UNISPACE+50 in 2018

  • In 2018, the sixty-first session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) is scheduled to take place from 20 to 29 June 2018 in the Vienna International Centre, M-Building, Board Room B.
  • UNISPACE+50 will take place as part of the Committee's 61st session, with the two first days of the session, 20 and 21 June 2018, dedicated to the UNISPACE+50 High-level Segment.
  • Symposia, outreach events: Two days prior to the session, 18 and 19 June 2018, are allocated for activities engaging the broader space community and all relevant stakeholders, including civil society and the media to present the Space2030 agenda.

 

Tentative programme*

Tentative programme of the UNISPACE+50 high-level segment is proposed as follows:

20 June 2018 (VIC, M-building, Board room B)

AM: Opening of the 61st session of COPUOS: Adoption of the agenda and Election of the Officers of the Committee

Opening of the UNISPACE+50 High-level Segment

Addresses by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres; UN Champion for Space, Scott Kelly

Endorsement of the UNISPACE+50 resolution

Member States' statements

Lunch time ceremony

PM: Member States' statements

Closing of the first day of the UNISPACE+50 High-level Segment

Ceremonial event and opening of the UNISPACE+50 exhibition

21 June 2018 (M-building, Board Room B)

AM: Continuation of the UNISPACE+50 High-level Segment

Member States' statements

Lunch time ceremony

PM: Member States' statements

Closing of the UNISPACE+50 High-level Segment

22 June 2018 (M-building, Board room B)

COPUOS regular session resumes

(*Tentative schedule)

  [1] Information as provided in the conference room paper A/AC.105/2017/CRP.5.

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