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UN agencies coordinate space-related activities
Focus on satellite communications for emergencies
Geneva, 19 March 2010 - The United Nations Inter-Agency Meeting on Outer Space Activities concluded its 30th session on 12 March 2010 in Geneva. Future prospects for improved coordination, cooperation and synergy within the United Nations system in space-related activities and the importance of satellite communications during disasters and emergency situations were discussed. Organized by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and hosted by the International Telecommunication Union, the Inter-Agency Meeting agreed to further enhance UN common coordination efforts by adopting the following measures:
Strengthening the Secretary-General’s Report on coordination of space-related activities in the UN system by aligning it to the UN development agenda
Re-structuring its contents in line with the thematic clusters of work and cross cutting issues of the Commission on Sustainable Development, given the increasing role that space technology and its applications have in achieving sustainable development
Preparing special reports on selected topics biannually, with the next special report focusing on climate change and the use of space technology within the United Nations system
During the Meeting, Member States and UN agencies also met in the Open Informal Session to discuss “Space Technology for Emergency Communications” with a view to engaging Member States in a direct dialogue with UN entities on the importance of space technology to better predict catastrophes, warn people in advance and, when it occurs, quickly help and restore vital communications.
More information on the United Nations Inter-Agency Meeting on Outer Space Activities and its Open Informal Session can be found on the website for the United Nations coordination of outer space activities (www.uncosa.unvienna.org/uncosa/index.html)
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) implements the decisions of the General Assembly and of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and its two Subcommittees, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the Legal Subcommittee. The Office is responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, and assisting developing countries in using space science and technology. Located in Vienna, Austria, UNOOSA maintains a website at www.unoosa.org/.
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