General Assembly. United Nations A/AC.105/1128

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1 United Nations A/AC.105/1128 General Assembly Distr.: General 7 November 2016 Original: English Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space Report on the United Nations/International Astronautical Federation Workshop on Space Technology for Socioeconomic Benefits: Integrated Space Technologies and Applications for a Better Society (Guadalajara, Mexico, September 2016) I. Introduction 1. The United Nations Programme on Space Applications, implemented by the Office for Outer Space Affairs of the Secretariat, was established in 1971 to assist Member States with capacity-building in the use of space science, space technology and space applications in support of sustainable development and to promote international space cooperation. Since its inception, the Programme has been organizing training courses, workshops, seminars and meetings for the benefit of Member States. 2. The Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III) adopted the resolution entitled The Space Millennium: Vienna Declaration on Space and Human Development and recommended that activities of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications should promote collaborative participation among Member States, at the regional and international levels, in a variety of space science and technology activities, by emphasizing the development and transfer of knowledge and skills to developing countries and countries with economies in transition At its fifty-eighth session, in 2015, the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space endorsed the programme of workshops, training courses, symposiums and conferences of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications for Subsequently, the General Assembly, in its resolution 70/82, endorsed the activities to be carried out by the Office for Outer Space Affairs under the auspices of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications in Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 70/82 and in accordance with the recommendations of UNISPACE III, the United Nations/International Astronautical 1 Report of the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Vienna, July 1999 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.00.I.3), chap. I, resolution 1, sect. I, para. 1 (e)(ii), and chap. II, para. 409 (d)(i). (E) * *

2 Federation Workshop on Space Technology for Socioeconomic Benefits was held in Guadalajara, Mexico, from 23 to 25 September 2016, in conjunction with the 67th International Astronautical Congress, which was also held in Guadalajara, from 26 to 30 September The Workshop was jointly organized by the Office for Outer Space Affairs and the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) and hosted by the Government of Mexico, represented through the Mexican Space Agency. A. Background and objectives 6. The Workshop was the twenty-fifth in the series of United Nations/IAF workshops and built upon the experience and recommendations of the previous workshops held between 1991 and Over the past few years, the workshops have been organized under the overall theme of Space technology for socioeconomic benefits. This year, the programme committee had decided on a special topic under that theme, entitled Integrated space technologies and applications for a better society. 8. Creating a better society for all and leaving no one behind was the guiding motto of the Workshop. That goal was part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 70/1 of 25 September The 2030 Agenda is based on a framework of 17 Sustainable Development Goals and includes specific targets and a comprehensive framework of indicators; it is a plan of action for people, the planet and prosperity, and for peace to be achieved, through partnership, with no one left behind. 9. Space technology is one of several technologies essential for successfully implementing the 2030 Agenda. It provides data, information and services that directly or indirectly contribute to achieving particular Sustainable Development Goals or to assessing and monitoring the status of the progress in achieving the Goals. Access to reliable, frequent and open geospatial data, in particular, Earth observation data, is also key for achieving several of the Goals set out in the 2030 Agenda. 10. In parallel, the international space community is now on a mission to develop a new agenda for its work in future decades. The event UNISPACE+50 will be held in June 2018 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the first of a series of United Nations conferences on the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space. UNISPACE+50 aims to define concrete deliverables of space activities for the development of countries under the four pillars of space economy, space society, space accessibility and space diplomacy. 11. The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, at its fifty-ninth session, in 2016, identified seven thematic priorities, upon which the decisions to be taken by Member States at UNISPACE+50 would be based (A/71/20, para. 296). The Workshop therefore aimed for concrete, concise, relevant and important observations and recommendations that would contribute to the preparations for UNISPACE+50, in particular under the event s thematic priority 7, Capacity-building for the twenty-first century, and that would also support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 12. The specific objectives of the Workshop were as follows: (a) Enhance the capabilities of countries in the use of space-related technology, applications, services and information for economic, social and environmental development; 2/13

3 (b) Examine relevant affordable and accessible space-related technologies and information resources; (c) Increase awareness among policymakers and decision makers to help integrate space solutions into policy- and decision-making processes; (d) Discuss the role of space solutions in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; (e) Strengthen international and regional cooperation in that area; (f) Present relevant capacity-building initiatives; (g) Consider associated legal and regulatory matters; (h) Identify issues for consideration at UNISPACE+50. B. Attendance 13. The Workshop brought together space technology and application experts from governmental and non-governmental organizations, international and national space agencies, research and academic institutions and industry. The United Nations, on behalf of the co-sponsors, invited developing countries to nominate candidates to apply for participation in the Workshop. Applicants could submit their application and requests for financial support through the website of the Office for Outer Space Affairs. Participants were selected on the basis of their qualifications related to the theme of the Workshop, as well as on the basis of their background and work experience in programmes, projects or enterprises that used space technology applications or that could potentially benefit from using that technology. 14. The Workshop was attended by 154 participants from the following 32 countries: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Peru, Republic of Korea, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America. The following international intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and other entities were also represented at the Workshop: ESA, European Space Policy Institute, Group on Earth Observations, International Academy of Astronautics, IAF, International Institute of Space Law, International Space University, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Space Generation Advisory Council and the Office for Outer Space Affairs. 15. Funds allocated by ESA, IAF and the United Nations for the organization of the Workshop were used to provide financial support for air tickets and accommodation for the participation of 30 participants from developing countries and from academic institutions. The co-sponsors also covered the cost of the International Astronautical Congress registration fee for 30 participants, thus enabling them to participate in the 67th Congress. C. Programme 16. The programme of the Workshop was developed by the Office for Outer Space Affairs in cooperation with the programme committee of the Workshop. The programme committee included experts from a wide range of space technology and space applications fields. The International Academy of Astronautics, the International Institute of Space Law and the Committee on Space Research also provided input to 3/13

4 the Workshop s programme. In addition, an honorary committee and a local organizing committee contributed to the successful organization of the Workshop. 17. The Workshop s programme was structured in the following thematic sessions: space and sustainable development; space technology capacity-building; disaster management and early warning; space for global health and education; space solutions for managing growing cities and populations; environment and biodiversity; connectivity for reducing the social divide; special presentations on the KiboCube programme; and observations, recommendations and the way forward. 18. The Workshop s programme was complemented by a poster session, a panel discussion on capacity-building and a round table, which linked the Workshop s objectives to the preparations for UNISPACE+50 and addressed how UNISPACE+50 would act as a catalyst for optimizing the future use of space-based solutions for the world s challenges. 19. The final programme, presentations, poster presentations, speaker biographies and other information are available online on the Workshop s web page ( II. Summary of the Workshop programme A. Opening session 20. The Workshop was opened with welcoming remarks from the Director General of the Mexican Space Agency, the President of the International Astronautical Federation, the representative of ESA and the Director of the Office for Outer Space Affairs. The speakers noted the achievements of the United Nations/IAF series of workshops since 1991 in fostering space technology capacity-building and bringing representatives of emerging space countries to the annual International Astronautical Congress. 21. In his keynote address, the representative of the Instituto Polite cnico Nacional of Mexico reviewed the role of space activities as a factor that enabled solutions addressing societal challenges. In addressing the importance of space capacity-building he referred to the example of the development of remote-sensing payloads for small satellites. Mexico was one of many countries that had made small satellite development activities a priority of their space technology capacity-building road maps. 22. The Director of the Office for Outer Space Affairs outlined how space-based solutions were used in support of addressing global challenges and how the Office was contributing to those efforts by building capacity in the use of space science, technology and its applications. She stressed the important link of the Workshop to the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda and informed the Workshop about the status of preparations for UNISPACE Following the two keynote addresses, a presentation reviewed the 25-year history of United Nations/IAF workshops, their origins, the diverse range of Workshop themes over the years and the achievements and contributions to space capacity-building facilitated by the Workshop series. B. First thematic session: space and sustainable development 24. The speakers in the introductory session discussed the importance of space activities for achieving sustainable development. A presentation reviewed the status of the work of the Inter-Agency and Expert Group on Sustainable Development Goal 4/13

5 Indicators and its Working Group on Geospatial Information to define indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals. It was stressed that dynamic data (varying over time and/or space), including geospatial information, were fundamental to define indicators in support of making better decisions and policy. The presentation also showed how Mexico was using geospatial information in its national implementation framework of the 2030 Agenda. 25. The representatives of ESA, the German Aerospace Centre and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States reported on their activities in support of implementing the 2030 Agenda. It was noted that space technology and its applications could contribute to all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. 26. A presentation by the European Space Policy Institute examined how development actors, including non-governmental organizations, could benefit from space applications, and made recommendations for better linkages between the space community and the development community. Other presentations in that thematic session considered how enhanced space cooperation, the implementation of a dedicated space policy to strengthen the scientific and technological development of a country, and the participation of space industry could help countries, developing countries in particular, to better utilize space in support of achieving sustainable development. C. Second thematic session: space technology capacity-building 27. The second thematic session featured various presentations on the role of space capacity-building to strengthen capabilities of countries to serve their society. Many international programmes offered opportunities for aspiring space professionals from developing countries. 28. In his presentation, the Secretary General of the Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Latin America and the Caribbean reported on the status of the centre. The Regional Centre is one of six regional centres affiliated to the United Nations established under the leadership of the Programme on Space Applications of the Office for Outer Space Affairs. 29. Representatives of the Kyushu Institute of Technology, the University of Colorado Boulder and the University Space Engineering Consortium (UNISEC) Global secretariat presented capacity-building initiatives for space technology development, such as fellowship programmes and academic and cooperation programmes for collaboration in small satellite development. A presentation by the Mexican Space Agency discussed the status of space capacity-building in Mexico. 30. The session concluded with two presentations on capacity-building in human space technology under the Human Space Technology Initiative of the Office for Outer Space Affairs: on utilization opportunities on board the Chinese manned space station, and on spaceflight opportunities using Sierra Nevada Corporation s Dream Chaser spacecraft in the framework of a future United Nations Dream Chaser mission. D. Third thematic session: disaster management and early warning 31. Presentations in the third thematic session focused on the applications of space technology for disaster management and early warning. The session began with a review of the accomplishments and activities of the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) which celebrated its tenth anniversary in A representative of the 5/13

6 Dominican Republic reported on the impact of a technical advisory mission conducted by the Office for Outer Space Affairs in the framework of UN-SPIDER. As a result of that technical advisory mission, a national integrated information system and geospatial information team was established in the Dominican Republic to coordinate the country s disaster management activities, to respond to emergency situations and support capacity-building. Another example of a UN-SPIDER intervention is the regional coordination for transboundary hazards under the Strengthening Early Warning Systems for Droughts (SEWS-D) project, presented by the Mexican Space Agency. 32. How space technology can assist with disaster management and early warning was discussed in a presentation by a representative of NASA on the develop ment of an innovative global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-enhanced tsunami early warning system based on the measurement of disturbances in the ionosphere, which can be used to detect tsunami events, and on the use of constellations of small satellites for disaster management of remote areas. 33. The useful applications of geospatial data were highlighted in presentations on FATMAP, a crowd-sourced mapping initiative built on advanced analysis and data compression software allowing for the distribution of remote-sensing and geographic information system (GIS) information to mobile platforms. E. Fourth thematic session: space for global health and education 34. Space technology and its applications can provide many solutions for global health and education. The representative of the World Health Organization presented an overview of the contributions of space science and technology for advancing the health-related Sustainable Development Goals. He concluded that much had been achieved due to advances in technology but that there remained a need to strengthen the integration of technology and health systems, as well as implementing supporting policies. 35. The activities of NASA in the field of space education, aiming to challenge students to become future innovators, were presented by the Associate Administrator for Education of NASA. The activities address all educational levels, from elementary to graduate education. Specific programme elements supported the empowerment of young girls and women. 36. The session concluded with a presentation by a representative of the Mexican Space Agency on Mexico s space life science activities. Several Mexican institutions and universities are involved in those activities, with efforts coordinated by the Mexican Space Agency. F. Fifth thematic session: space solutions for managing growing cities and populations 37. The presentations in the fifth thematic session considered the use of space technology and geospatial data for managing the needs of growing cities and populations, which are also addressed through several of the Sustainable Development Goals. 38. In her presentation on creating a resilient city using space data, the senior technology advisor to the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles presented an overview of the wide range of space-related projects carried out by the city, focusing on the use of geospatial data to establish policies for traffic management, mitigate traffic accidents, provide earthquake early warning services and contribute to the city s comprehensive 6/13

7 homeless strategy. A federal crowdsourcing and citizen science toolkit had been developed which enabled citizens to gather and submit data and information in support of city projects. Some projects had also developed into international projects, such as the datanauts project for the improvement of clean water delivery in Africa using crowd-sourced and satellite data. As shown by the experience of the City of Los Angeles, releasing and using open data empowered people to make better decisions. 39. A representative of the Beijing-based commercial satellite operator Twenty First Century Aerospace Technology explained how the company used satellite remote-sensing technology to manage fast urbanization in China. The TripleSat constellation of satellites provided sub-meter resolution geospatial data in support of a wide range of applications for fast urbanization in developing countries, supporting infrastructure development projects, detecting illegal activities in urban areas such as illegal dumping of rubbish, and monitoring and managing the environment and urban land use, as demonstrated by examples of operational applications developed for the City of Beijing. 40. Providing food security to a growing worldwide population was one of the challenges of the coming decades and would require new technologies and solutions such as those provided by precision agriculture. A representative of the Mexican Space Agency presented how geospatial data could be used to improve crop management and land and soil use. The presentation reviewed the goals and benefits of precision agriculture and the activities carried out by the Mexican Space Agency to implement operational precision agriculture applications. G. Sixth thematic session: environment and biodiversity 41. The sixth thematic session addressed the use of space technology for monitoring and managing environment and biodiversity. The Secretariat Director of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) presented the GEO vision, that is, to realize a future wherein decisions and actions, for the benefit of humankind, are informed by coordinated, comprehensive and sustained Earth observations and information, and presented the status of the work of GEO as it entered its second decade of existence. To achieve that vision, GEO was promoting principles for sharing open data. The GEO Biodiversity Observation Network had been established to support the Convention on Biological Diversity and was defining essential biodiversity variables to help ensure that Earth observation systems would be able to provide essential data to support implementation of that Convention. 42. The representative of the National Institute for Environmental Studies of Japan reported on the United Nations/Kenya Conference on Space Technology Applications for Wildlife Management and Protecting Biodiversity, held from 27 to 30 June at the United Nations Environment Programme headquarters in Nairobi. The conference had brought together representatives of the space community with wildlife experts from governmental and non-governmental organizations to review the status of space technology applications for biodiversity and wildlife management. 43. Other presentations described the International Partnership Space Programme between Mexico and the United Kingdom to utilize Earth observation products to address environmental problems in the Bacalar area, the status of and plans for the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite programme and a crowdsourcing-based architecture for monitoring water basins, water pollution and illegal deforestation i n Guatemala. 7/13

8 H. Seventh thematic session: connectivity for reducing social divide 44. Satellite communications have contributed to globalization and reducing the social divide. The representative of ITU reported on the outcome of the Global Conference on Space and the Information Society, held at ITU headquarters in Geneva on 6 and 7 June The Conference participants discussed the decisions of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2015, the contributions of satellite communications to the Sustainable Development Goals, the space economy and its links to the information economy, space services and security, and big data and information society. Conference participants concluded that further harmonization and the removal of barriers created by national policies and regulations were needed, that free, full and open data policies were essential, that there were growing concerns about the privacy and protection of personal data and that benefits could be gained from integrated space applications. 45. The regulatory aspects of small satellite activities and space technology development at the National Autonomous University of Mexico were the focus of two presentations by representatives of the University and the Federal Telecommunications Institute of Mexico. 46. The representative of the University of Vigo, Spain, made a presentation on the status of the Humanitarian Satellite Constellation (HumSat) programme, which had been validated by data provided by two satellites. The in-orbit results had led to the development of HumSat 2.0, which was in the final design phase and would be demonstrated in orbit in the next two years to move the system from demonstration to the operational stage. 47. The coordination of the Mexico Conectado project and its contributions to reducing the social divide in Mexico were presented by a representative of the University of Guadalajara. From 2012 to 2016, the project had helped to increase the access to and use of broadband Internet by per cent and Mexico had improved its accessibility and connectivity and network readiness as measured by the World Economic Forum. 48. The session concluded with a presentation on the role of the University Corporation for Internet Development, a non-profit consortium of Mexican universities that manages Mexico s national research and education network and was established in 1999 to provide high-bandwidth connectivity to university and research institutions in Mexico. I. Eighth thematic session: special presentations on the KiboCube programme 49. In 2015, the Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the United Nations/Japan Cooperation Programme on CubeSat Deployment (KiboCube) from the International Space Station Japanese Experiment Module (Kibo). The programme makes it possible for developing countries to deploy one-unit CubeSat satellites. A representative and astronaut of JAXA discussed how the programme was supporting space capacity-building in developing countries. That was followed by a presentation by the representative of the University of Nairobi, whose first Kenyan university nanosatellite precur sor flight (1KUNS) project had been selected in the first selection round of the KiboCube programme for deployment from the International Space Station in The second round of selection for a satellite deployment in 2018 had been opened. 8/13

9 J. Panel discussion and round table 50. A panel discussion was held at the end of the second day of the Workshop, and a round table was held at the end of the Workshop, on its third day. 1. Panel discussion on building capacity for space science, technology and its applications to contribute to economic, social and environmental sustainable development 51. The panel discussion was moderated by a representative of the National Autonomous University of Mexico with panellists from the Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Kyushu Institute of Technology, the Mexican Space Agency, Embraer of Brazil and the Office for Outer Space Affairs. In their first discussion round, the panellists reflected on their individual experience with space capacity-building and identified challenges and opportunities. They agreed that a policy supporting investment in space technology capacity-building was important to ensure the availability of well-trained and qualified space technology and application experts needed in a country. The role of universities for human resource development was noted. Instilling a sense of self-confidence in engineers was also identified as important for capacity-building. International collaboration, in form of exchanges and fellowship programmes, could strengthen capacity-building programmes. 52. The panellists stressed the importance of hands-on education and training, giving trainees exposure to actual satellite development activities ranging from development, assembling, testing and launch to operation. Ensuring the continuity and sustainability of programmes and projects should be considered right from the start when defining activities for space capacity-building, for example by means of a supporting adequate long-term policy. A single failure should not lead to the immediate demise of an activity. Universities had a key role in ensuring continuity. 2. Round table on linking the Workshop to the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space 53. The round table was moderated by the Director of the Office for Outer Space Affairs, with a high-level panel of space experts, composed of three heads of space agencies ESA, the German Aerospace Centre and the Mexican Space Agency as well as a JAXA astronaut and the current Chair of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Round-table participants discussed how space technology and its applications and relevant policies could contribute to creating a better society. 54. The discussions linked the Workshop s objectives to the preparations for UNISPACE+50, an event that would act as a catalyst for optimizing the future use of space-based solutions to contribute to addressing the world s challenges. UNISPACE+50, to be held in 2018, would bring together States Members of the United Nations to reach consensus on a global space agenda for the next two decades. The round-table discussion focused on space solutions for sustainable development and on thematic priority 7 of UNISPACE+50: Capacity-building for the twenty-first century (see A/71/20, paras. 296 and 297). 55. Following the introductory remarks by the moderator, the panellists were asked how their organizations, as stakeholders in that process, would contribute in concrete terms to the goals of UNISPACE+50. All panellists referred to the contributions their organizations were already making in support of space capacity-building and in providing access to space technology and applications, including for developing countries, and noted the important governing role of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and UNISPACE+50 and its thematic priorities as principal 9/13

10 frameworks in that process. The thematic priorities needed to be further developed, in particular through the activities of the high-level forum on space as a driver for socioeconomic sustainable development held in 2016 and It was noted that UNISPACE+50 might also strengthen space governance and contribute to increasing the membership of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, given that several countries with space activities were not yet represented in the Committee. 56. The importance of international cooperation, including at the regional level, was stressed in the discussion. UNISPACE+50 could strengthen the role of the Office for Outer Space Affairs in supporting space cooperation efforts and coordinating space-related activities with other United Nations organizations. K. Poster session 57. Following the first thematic session on the first day of the Workshop, a poster session was held allowing participants to view the 19 posters displayed throughout the duration of the Workshop and discuss their content with the authors. The posters addressed a wide range of examples of space science, technology and applications linked to the theme of the Workshop. III. Observations and recommendations 58. Participants were informed that the Secretariat would compile a report on the Workshop to be presented to the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and to the United Nations General Assembly at their respective sessions in During the Workshop, the session and panel chairs and rapporteurs and the Secretariat took note of observations and recommendations made by Workshop participants. In the final observations and recommendations session, the session and panel chairs and their rapporteurs were called upon to make a short presentation on the conclusions reached in their particular sessions and panel discussions. Together with the discussions that took place in the session, that formed the input for the findings presented in the present chapter. A. Observations 60. The Workshop s participants recognized the following elements linked to the Workshop objectives and which were relevant to their discussions: (a) The major global issues for our planet and its inhabitants and the challenges facing the world in achieving sustainable development; (b) The progress made towards implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; (c) The preparations for the UNISPACE+50 conference to be held in The Workshop participants also noted: (a) The wide range of global issues, including those addressed by the Sustainable Development Goals that could be addressed by space science, technology and its applications; (b) The continuing trend towards operationalization of space applications that was offering unique opportunities for addressing global issues and for building a better society; 10/13

11 (c) The essential role of space applications to achieve sustainable development by helping humankind to move from a business as usual trajectory to a sustainable development trajectory; (d) The increasing number and growing diversity of stakeholders in the field of space activities; (e) The increasingly successful applications of crowd-sourced data and the potential of combining in situ data with Earth observation data, which could help to overcome major barriers for sustainable development, including the detrimental impact of corruption. 62. In their discussions, Workshop participants identified the following needs: (a) The importance of investing in space capacity-building and the recognition that human resources are the most precious resource for the sustainable development of our society; (b) The importance of science-based data, in particular space data and information to inform policymaking and decision-making processes, in order to progress from a situation of decisions not based on evidence or policy to one of policy-based decisions and, eventually, evidence-based decisions. B. Recommendations 63. Participants agreed on the following recommendations: 1. Capacity-building and education 64. Noting the successes of a wide range of education and capacity-building programmes, it was recommended that such activities should be designed to include hands-on training activities that allowed the trainees to be directly involved in space technology development programmes and projects and in the operational use of space applications. Hands-on training activities enhanced opportunities for knowledge and technology transfers and thereby contributed to efficient capacity-building. 65. Noting that the continuity of programmes was key for the sustainability of capacity-building activities and for deriving lasting benefits from space-related activities, it was recommended that all capacity-building stakeholders should aspire to provide a framework to ensure the continuity of programmes, including the necessary governance framework and measures to shield capacity-building efforts from political and economic disturbances. 2. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space 66. Noting the need for the space community to coordinate their activities and cooperate in reaching out to Governments that have accepted the responsibility for leading the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to inform them about the availability and importance of space-based solutions and the need for the coordination of the activities of space-related organizations in that regard, it was recommended that UNISPACE+50 should be used as an opportunity to unite the activities of the space community in that regard. 67. Noting that UNISPACE+50 will provide a unique opportunity to revisit the contributions of space technology and its applications for sustainable development in the light of the technical, legal, political, regulatory developments since UNISPACE III, held in 1999, it was recommended that thematic priority 7 of UNISPACE+50, Capacity- 11/13

12 building for the twenty-first century, should be used as the framework in which to consider space capacity-building activities adapted to the needs of coming decades and in support of implementing the 2030 Agenda. In line with that, participants also recommended that UNISPACE+50 should be used as an opportunity to review, renew and, if necessary, update the mandate of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications. 68. Participants recommended that the Office for Outer Space Affairs should prepare a plan of work for consideration by Member States at UNISPACE+50 under its thematic priority 7, making use of the observations and recommendations made at the present Workshop. 3. Space capacity index and a space solutions compendium 69. Participants noted the progress made in space capacity-building since the United Nations Programme on Space Applications was established in 1971 and noted the proposal of the Office for Outer Space Affairs to develop, in cooperation with all Member States, a space capacity index and a space solutions compendium. 70. The compendium of space solutions would be based on a database linked to the Sustainable Development Goals and would contain searchable information such as relevant observations and recommendations, best practices, space expert contact information and example programmes and projects. It would be a valuable resource for countries seeking to optimize their use of space technology and space applicat ions. 71. The space capacity index would be a tool for measuring the capacity of countries to make optimal use of space technology solutions and would be an invaluable tool to apply results-based management to space capacity-building. There are several existing examples of such indices that are being successfully applied by various United Nations entities, such as the ITU Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Development Index. 72. Participants recommended that the Office for Outer Space Affairs should take the lead in developing the space capacity index and the space solutions compendium. 4. Other matters 73. Participants recommended that the observations and recommendations of the Workshop should be brought to the attention of other relevant United Nations entities through the framework of the Inter-Agency Meeting on Outer Space Activities, in order to enhance and strengthen the coordination of space-related activities within the United Nations. 74. Finally, Workshop participants thanked the Mexican Space Agency and the Government of Mexico for hosting the Workshop and the local organizing committee for the excellent arrangements for the Workshop. The participants also conveyed their appreciation to the members of the Workshop s honorary committee and programme committee, for the contributions they had made to prepare the Workshop s programme, and to IAF, the Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Workshop s co-sponsors for organizing the Workshop. IV. Follow-up actions 75. At the meeting of the IAF Committee for Liaison with International Organizations and Developing Nations, held during the 67th International Astronautical Congress, which was attended by representatives of the Office for Outer Space Affairs, it was reconfirmed that the twenty-sixth United Nations/International 12/13

13 Astronautical Federation workshop would be held in Adelaide, Australia, from 22 to 24 September 2016, as an associated event of and in conjunction with the 68th International Astronautical Congress, which would take place in Adelaide from 25 to 30 September The report on the present Workshop would be brought to the attention of relevant policymaking and decision-making bodies, including the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and the General Assembly, and would contribute to the preparations for UNISPACE /13