For information only - not an official document

UNIS/MA/161
30 January 2017

MEDIA ADVISORY

Media representatives are invited to a

UNOOSA-ESA panel discussion on space technology and climate change

and presentation of the book

"Fragility and Beauty: My Planet from Space"

6 February 2017, 1.00pm - 2.00pm
Boardroom D, C Building, Vienna International Centre

VIENNA, 30 January (United Nations Information Service) - The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) will host a panel discussion on the value of space technology for monitoring and combatting climate change and other environmental challenges on Monday, 6 February 2017 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm in the Vienna International Centre (VIC), C Building, Boardroom D.

The discussion will include the presentation of the book created from the exhibition "Fragility and Beauty: My Planet from Space" - a collaboration between UNOOSA and ESA - which was displayed at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in 2015. The book comprises images taken from space highlighting the beauty and vulnerability of our planet, the challenges posed by climate change and how space-based technology such as satellite Earth observation can help us address these challenges.

Speakers include:

-       Simonetta Di Pippo, Director, UNOOSA

-       Josef Aschbacher, Director of Earth Observation, ESA

-       Luca Parmitano, ESA Astronaut

-       Mylswamy Annadurai, Director, Indian Space Research Organisation Satellite Centre

-       Sandy Magnus, Executive Director, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

-       Moderated by Martin Nesirky, Director, United Nations Information Service, Vienna

The panel discussion will be followed by light refreshments.

This event will take place on the sidelines of the annual session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, which is convening in Vienna from 30 January to 10 February.

The discussion will be streamed at www.unoosa.org.

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Media representatives who wish to attend the event, and who are not accredited to the VIC, should write to press[at]unvienna.org.

Access to the C-building is via Gate One of the Vienna International Centre.

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For more information about UNOOSA, please contact:

Daria  Brankin 
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs 
Telephone: (+43 1) 26060 8718 
Email: daria.brankin[at]unoosa.org

For more information about ESA, please contact:

Robert Meisner
Communication Programme Officer for Earth Observation, ESA
Telephone: (+39) 06941 80874
Email:Robert.Mesiner[at]esa.int