For information only - not an official document
UNIS/MA/223
7 June 2018
VIENNA, 7 June (United Nations Information Service) - The Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen will formally open the High-level Segment of UNISPACE+50, the first United Nations global space summit of the 21st century, at 10.45 a.m. on 20 June 2018 in the presence of high-level dignitaries from around the world.
UNISPACE+50, organized by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), will be held from 18 to 21 June 2018 in the M-Building of the Vienna International Centre (VIC). It will consist of two parts: a Symposium on 18 and 19 June, and a High-level Segment on 20 and 21 June.
UNISPACE+50 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, held in Vienna in 1968, and provide an opportunity for the international community to consider the future course of global space cooperation for the benefit of humankind.
Hundreds of representatives from the space community are expected at UNISPACE+50, including United Nations Member States, Permanent Observers, United Nations entities, space agencies, non-governmental organizations, academia, civil society, students, and the private sector and industry.
The UNISPACE+50 High-level Segment will be held in the M-Plenary room of the VIC. The ceremonial opening of the High-level Segment will take place on Wednesday 20 June at approximately 10:45 a.m., after administrative formalities at 10 a.m., with addresses by:
European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli will also donate a flag featuring the Sustainable Development Goals, which was flown on the International Space Station, to the United Nations.
After the ceremonial opening, United Nations Member States will endorse a UNISPACE+50 resolution before commencing statements by their representatives. A number of Ministers and Vice-Ministers are expected to represent and speak on behalf of their States.
Following the opening session, a press conference will be held from 2.15 p.m. to 2.45 p.m. in room M4. The Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) will join Ms. Di Pippo and Mr. Kelly at the press conference.
Member States' statements will continue in the afternoon of 20 June and on 21 June.
A panel of heads of United Nations entities will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday 21 June in the M-Plenary room.
Other activities
The UNISPACE+50 high-level segment will be preceded by a UNISPACE+50 Symposium from 18 to 19 June, to which media are also invited. Details of the Symposium can be found in a separate media advisory available here.
There will also be a number of side events during UNISPACE+50, which are listed in the UNISPACE+50 programme.
In addition, a UNISPACE+50 exhibition featuring more than 40 exhibitors will be held in the Rotunda of the VIC from 18 to 23 June. The exhibition will be open to the public from 9 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. on Saturday 23 June. A press release about the exhibition open day is available here.
Further details about UNISPACE+50, including the full programme, are available at http://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/unispaceplus50/media.html
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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 M-Building is via Gate One of the Vienna International Centre.
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For more information, and to request interviews with Ms. Di Pippo or Mr. Kelly, please contact:
Daria
Brankin
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Telephone: (+43 699) 1459 8718
Email: daria.brankin[at]un.org
