United Nations Programme on Space Applications
Some Recent Accomplishments
- Establishment of regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education (Affiliated to the United Nations): India (operational since April 1996); Morocco, Nigeria (inaugurated in 1998); Mexico and Brazil (in implementation phase); Jordan (being developed)
- Facilitator role in the establishment and operation of telescope facilities in Colombia, Egypt, Honduras, Jordan, Paraguay, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Uruguay (follow-up to the series of UN/ESA Workshops on Basic Space Science)
- Organization of seminars on advanced space applications and new system developments for managers and leaders of space applications and technology development activities as well as seminars for users in specific applications;
- Stimulation of the growth of indigenous nuclei and an autonomous technological base, to the extent possible, in space technology in developing countries with the cooperation of other United Nations agencies and/or Member States or members of the specialized agencies;
- Dissemination of information on new and advanced technologies and applications, with emphasis on their relevance and implications for developing countries; and
- Provision of technical advisory services on space applications projects, upon request by Member States or any of the specialized agencies.
The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 54/68 of 6 December 1999 requested, on the basis of UNISPACE III recommendations, the further strengthening the activities of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications to include the following:
- Facilitating and supporting the development and implementation of space-related projects that address the operational needs of Member States;
- Providing support to the regional centres for space science and technology education affiliated with the United Nations, including the Network of Space Science and Technology Education and Research Institutions of Central-Eastern and South-Eastern Europe;
- Reorienting the long-term fellowship programme;
- Organizing workshops and conferences on advanced space applications and new system developments for programme managers and leaders of space technology development and applications activities;
- Organizing medium-term courses on remote-sensing education for university educators and on telecommunications and tele-health for professionals;
- Providing technical advisory services to Member States, on request, on different aspects of space science and technology and related applications;
- Promoting cooperation in space applications projects between government establishments, universities and research institutions and private industry;
- Organizing an annual public forum to inform the general public of past, ongoing and planned space activities and the future direction of such activities;
- Promoting activities for youth, so as to encourage interest among students and young scientists and engineers;
- Promoting cooperation in the development of educational programmes in space science and technology for primary and secondary school curricula;
- Establishing a programme of visits by astronauts, cosmonauts and other space scientists and engineers to increase knowledge about space-related activities, in particular among young people;
- Promoting the participation of scientists from developing countries in space science and planetary exploration; and
- Initiating programmes to promote the use of satellite communications and Earth observation data for disaster management and to provide opportunities for professionals to put into practice the knowledge that they have acquired through training courses.