For information only - not an official document
UNIS/OS/452
26 May 2015
MEDIA ADVISORY
BONN/VIENNA, 26 May (UN Information Service) - Media are invited to a press conference in Bonn, Germany, with Astronaut Alexander Gerst from Germany, Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Mr. Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Chairman of the Executive Board of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) on the margins of the United Nations/Germany International Conference on Earth Observation to discuss the relevance of satellite technologies in the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.
Press Conference
on
Earth Observation for the Post-2015 Development Agenda
Tuesday, 26 May 2015, 13:25 - 14:45 hrs, UN Campus, Langer Eugen, Room 2105, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany (prior accreditation is mandatory, details below)
Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Mr. Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Chairman of the Executive Board of the German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Mr. Alexander Gerst, Astronaut of the European Space Agency (ESA)
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Media relevant information: Prior accreditation and on-site registration (details below) are compulsory for the following press points:
A. Photo point from 13:25 to 13:30 hrs: Prior to the press talk there will be a five-minute photo opportunity.
B. Press talk from 13.30 to 14.00 hrs: Ms Simonetta Di Pippo (UNOOSA), Mr Johann-Dietrich Wörner (DLR), Mr Alexander Gerst (ESA) and Mr Bradnee Chambers (UNBonn) are inviting the press to join a discussion on the importance of satellite technologies in the context of the post-2015 agenda.
C. Special talk from 14:00 to 14:45 hrs: German Astronaut Alexander Gerst will present "The blue dot perspective" in the plenary room of the conference (2312). Kindly indicate upon registering whether you would also like to attend this talk. Please note that spots for attending this talk are limited to ten seats.
All media relevant agenda points will be held in English. Please note there will be no translation into German.
A press release including photographs will be distributed after the event on 26 May 2015.
Prior accreditation and on-site registration at the UN Campus:
1. Prior accreditation (compulsory): Accreditation is open until Monday, 25 May cob.
2. On-site registration on the day of the event itself is compulsory: Tuesday, 26 May, 12:50 to 13:10 hrs. Venue: UN Campus, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, D-53113 Bonn. All accredited media is asked to register at the UN's security office located at the main entrance. Please bring a valid passport or identity card and press card (with photo). Furthermore you need to pass a security scan.
Context: From 26 to 28 May 2015, 130 experts from all over the world will be gathering in Bonn, Germany for the United Nations/Germany International Conference on Earth Observation to discuss the relevance of satellite technologies in the post-2015 sustainable development agenda. The conference is jointly organized by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). The experts will particularly exchange on the various applications of space technologies and on opportunities for decision makers and experts from different countries to understand better how space technologies can be harnessed effectively in order to help countries achieve sustainable development. The conference agenda is available online and is continuously being updated. http://www.un-spider.org/post2015
2015 is a key year at the global level and in the context of the United Nations. Various global summits aim at shaping a post-2015 development agenda through which nations worldwide will jointly embark on new paths to end poverty, promote prosperity and well-being for all, protect the environment, address climate change and reduce disaster risks. Most notable among the processes to be kicked off in 2015 are these three: The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), a post-Kyoto global agreement on climate change, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a new set of targets for economic, social and environmental development which are building on the Millennium Development Goals.
Satellite technologies can be key in ensuring the successful implementation of these three frameworks. The data that satellites can collect from space provide vital input to decision-making processes as well as to monitoring and evaluation efforts. The challenge however remains in awareness raising and making these technologies available for all countries and organizations worldwide.
More information and updates: http://www.un-spider.org/post2015 and on Twitter using #EO4DEV
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For more information please contact:
Sinead
Harvey
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-8718
Email: sinead.harvey[at]unoosa.org
