United Nations

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VIENNA, 27 September (UN Information Service) -- The United Nations and the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) are jointly organizing a Workshop on "Space: An Integral Part of Sustainable Development". The meeting, co-sponsored by the Government of the Netherlands, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES, French Space Agency) and the telecommunications service provider Station 12®will be held from 30 September to 3 October 1999 at the International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences (ITC) in Enschede, Hengelosestraat 99, preceding the 50th IAF Congress to be held from 4 to 8 October 1999. 

 The Workshop is being conducted as part of the 1999 activities of the Space Applications Programme of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, which is mandated to promote the awareness of advanced technologies and the development of new systems in developing countries. The Programme conducts a series of annual training courses, seminars, workshops and regional conferences. It also administers a long-term fellowship programme for the in-depth training of specialists in space science and technology, provides technical advisory services on request and initiates programmes for the development of indigenous capability at the local level. 

 The present Workshop, the ninth in a series, will discuss how the space arena can become part of an agenda towards creating a sustainable world. Special Sessions and Working Group Meetings will focus on the initiating and funding of space-assisted development projects and on space technology applications for water resources management and forestry. 

 The Workshop will provide a unique forum for space experts, policy and decision makers and space-industry representatives from developing and industrialized countries to exchange their experiences in using space technology applications for development purposes. Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences and to examine opportunities for increased regional and international cooperation among developing countries or between developing and industrialized countries.

 In the past, contacts established between participants have resulted in a number of initiatives and activities strengthening the role of space technology applications for improving the quality of life in developing countries. Emphasis will also be given to the recommendations made by member States at the recent Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III), which was held in Vienna, Austria, from 19-30 July 1999.

 It is anticipated that the discussions and exchange of first-hand experiences and opinions will result in a set of guidelines on how to most efficiently introduce the broad range of space benefits to the developing countries. The proceedings, containing the conclusions and recommendations of the meeting, will be widely disseminated to high level policy and decision makers with the aim to enhance the use of space technology in support of national development plans and programmes.

 Participants from the following countries will be represented at the Workshop: Brazil, China, Egypt, France, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Turkey, UK, and USA.

 The Workshop will be formally opened at 9 a.m. on Thursday 30 September by representatives of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, the Government of the Netherlands, the International Astronautical Federation, the Committee on Liaison with International Organisations and Developing Nations, and the host organizations.
 
 

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