United Nations/United Arab Emirates High Level Forum: Space as a driver for socio-economic sustainable development

Transcription

1 ANNOUNCEMENT United Nations/United Arab Emirates High Level Forum: Space as a driver for socio-economic sustainable development Organized by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the United Arab Emirates Co-organized and co-sponsored by Secure World Foundation, Sierra Nevada Corporation s Space Systems and the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems Hosted by the United Arab Emirates Space Agency and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre November 2016 Dubai, United Arab Emirates 1

2 Background The First High Level Forum: Space as a driver for socio-economic sustainable development, to be held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from 20 to 24 November 2016, is being organized by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in collaboration with the Government of the United Arab Emirates. The Forum is hosted by the United Arab Emirates Space Agency and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre. The Forum is co-sponsored by Secure World Foundation, Sierra Nevada Corporation s Space Systems and the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems. The First High Level Forum aims to drive debate on the role of space science and technology in fostering global development. The Forum therefore represents a unique opportunity for the collective space community to address the future global space governance leading up to the fiftieth anniversary of the First United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space UNISPACE+50 in This also could be a fitting time to take stock of the contributions of the three UNISPACE conferences, held in 1968, 1982 and 1999 respectively, to global space governance. In recent years, the world has been witnessing space activities flourish with an impact on the local, regional, continental and global markets. In resolution 66/288 1, entitled The future we want, the United Nations General Assembly highlighted in 2012 the importance of space technology in contributing to a more solid basis for informed sustainable policy decisionmaking. In the same resolution, the need to strengthen science-policy interfaces to facilitate decision-making on sustainable development and the need for enhanced capacity-building for sustainable development were clearly spelled out. The 2030 Agenda embraces the three dimensions of sustainability economic, social and environmental. It has 17 Sustainable Development Goals that will build on the progress achieved under the Millennium Development Goals. In line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and sustainable development goals, UNISPACE+50 aims to chart the future of the contribution of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) to global space governance. Leading towards 2018, a series of high level fora: Space as a driver for socio-economic sustainable development, to be hosted by the Office for Outer Space Affairs in 2016 through 2018, will be a unique opportunity for the collective space community to address the crosssectoral impact of integrating economic, environmental, social, policy and regulatory dimensions of space in pursuance of global sustainable development. Forum Objectives and Expected Outcomes The United Nations/United Arab Emirates High Level Forum: Space as a driver for socio-economic sustainable development aims to become a platform for providing updates and recommendations on the potential of space innovations to address new and emerging sustainable development challenges. Space technology provides the means that can transform traditional approaches in virtually any sector of the economy. The United Nations General Assembly in its resolution on the 1 2

3 International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space (A/RES/70/82 2 ) noted that space science and technology and their applications provide indispensable tools for viable longterm solutions for sustainable development and can contribute more effectively to efforts to promote the development of all countries and regions of the world, and stressing in that regard the need to harness the benefits of space technology towards implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Objectives of the United Nations/United Arab Emirates High Level Forum include the presentation of lessons learned and new ideas in the four thematic areas of space economy, space society, space accessibility and space diplomacy, and all their interactions and interlinkages. The Forum aims to produce a declaration with a set of recommendations to further shape and position space activities as drivers for innovation, socio-economic development and diplomacy for a sustainable future. Expected outcomes of the Forum include: increased awareness about the on-going space activities and trends in the use of space technology and services that aid sustainable development; acknowledged relevance of the space sector for the economy, society and diplomacy of a nation; recognised benefits from the space as a core sector for socio-economic development; identified strategies to link space activities as a driver for socio-economic development; recommendations on utilizing innovative space activities to address emerging sustainable development challenges; establishment of partnerships to aid in addressing space for sustainable development; and recommendations on how voluntary actions from governments, international organizations, research and development institutions, academia and other relevant stakeholders could support the partnerships in increased used of space as a driver for socio-economic development. Forum Working Modality The working language will be English. The Forum will start with a High-Level Panel(s) bringing together decision-makers and experts. Two days will then be used for breakout sessions to be conducted on the four main topics of the High Level Forum, as described below, opened by a key-note speech of a renowned specialist on that topic. Discussion sessions in the format of breakout sessions will target specific topics and yield concrete recommendations. The Forum program will include sufficient time for discussions among participants to identify the priority areas where pilot projects and/or feasibility studies should be launched and examine possible partnerships that could be established. A half day technical tour will be arranged by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre during the Forum. The final day will be used for a Roundtable Discussion Session in order to address the future global space governance leading up to UNISPACE+50 in 2018; and to conclude the Forum with short presentations of the findings of the four breakout sessions and to adopt the Dubai Declaration with conclusions of the Forum to be presented to the Committee on the Peaceful 2 ES_70_082E.pdf 3

4 Uses of Outer Space at its sixtieth session and its subsidiary bodies sessions, Scientific and Technical Subcommittee at its fifty-fourth session and Legal Subcommittee at its fifty-sixth session, in Preliminary Agenda of the Forum Sunday, 20 November Opening Ceremony and High Level Panel(s) Welcome, opening address, and keynote speeches. The opening session will be followed by a high level moderated panel(s) discussion with participation of top-level representatives of space agencies and other relevant national/regional/international institutions and organizations from both space-faring and nonspace faring countries, establishing a direct debate with the HLF participants on the role of space science and technology in fostering global development Monday, 21 November WOMEN-IN-SPACE BREAKFAST & NETWORKING Fostering the interests of women working in aerospace, and improving the access of women to leadership positions in aerospace. Breakout Session 1: Space Economy Space activities have been flourishing, allowing the creation of local, regional, continental and global new markets. Space-faring nations have been developing the ability to master key space technologies, inducing innovation and economic growth. Capacity-building in developing countries, facilitated by the Office for Outer Space Affairs, is also contributing to raising the importance of space activities as a driver for economic sustainable development. Space spin-offs and technologies have been adapted to improve the overall quality of life. Accessibility to space ensures that all countries can benefit socio-economically and make equal use of space science and technology applications and space-based data, information and products. This breakout session will explore emergence of new technologies and increasing number of space actors at all levels; identification of current and emerging markets associated with space; economic impact of space activities funding on the economy in the short- and longterm; economic effect of space spin-off activities on different sectors of society; commercial opportunities of increasing the user base of space technology and its applications; diversification of funding sources and resource allocation; establishing support systems and mechanisms to enable the fostering and development of spin-off space activities; and evaluation of the impacts and trends in economic developments in relation to space activities. Main expected outcomes of breakout session 1: increased awareness of the benefits of space economy on the growth and sustainable development of nations; space technologies and infrastructure linked to various sectors; recommended economic rationale for the continuous support for space activities; capacity building prioritised in space science and technology as a key asset for a sustainable future; and linkages with the other three topics (space society, space accessibility and space diplomacy) defined as well as consequences, in terms of follow- 4

5 up actions. Breakout Session 2: Space Society Space society refers to a society, which carries out its core functions while making the best use of space technologies and space-based services and applications. This implies: a society benefiting from space technologies and space-based services and applications for improving the quality of life; a social setting evolving due to the use of space technologies; social awareness of state-of-art technologies and innovation linked to space activities; extension of the socio-economic prospects to space and to its spin-offs on Earth; and social sustainable infrastructure development. Main areas to be covered in this breakout session: societal challenges faced by nations worldwide that hinder development and investment in the space sector; improving current status of the space sector in developed and developing nations; the role of space-faring nations in the development of emerging space nations for the benefit of humanity; the educational needs of developing countries and/or emerging space nations to manage their use of space; increasing social awareness of the link between innovation and space activities; the increased number of advocates of the benefits of space technologies and space-based applications and services for a better life on Earth; use of innovative tools for global health supported by space-based tools for tele-medicine and tele-epidemiology; and innovative management practices for the use and conservation of energy and water and through advanced tools for precision agriculture. Main expected outcomes of breakout session 2: increased awareness of linkages between space technologies and management practices of natural resources and of the human environment; defined actions to be implemented with their relevant priority to increase the awareness of decision-makers and governments in order to make better use of space technologies and space-based services and applications for the benefit of humankind, and therefore, for a better society, which is also developing in a sustainable manner; defined strategies to integrate academia, government and industry to drive innovation in space activities; and linkages with the other three topics (space economy, space accessibility and space diplomacy) defined. Tuesday, 22 November Breakout Session 3: Space Accessibility Refers to all user communities and decision-makers being able, on an equal basis, to benefit from and use space technologies and space-based data. Data accessibility, a subset, promotes principles, policies and practices that ensure that all countries can benefit and make equal use of space science and technology applications and space-based data, information and products. Main areas to be covered in this breakout session 3: the benefits of open space data policies and practices to provide space accessibility; accessibility to space-based data; the benefits of space accessibility towards the development of the space sector; joining a global effort in the development of the global space sector for the benefit of humanity; and enhancing access to space and its assets for scientific and commercial endeavours Main expected outcomes of breakout session 3: open data principles and practices are better known and accepted; secondary and tertiary education in space science is encouraged; agenda, set to enable transparent space accessibility; policies required to enable access to space technologies are identified; and capacity-building in space as the key asset for a future sustainable society is prioritised; and linkages with the other three topics (space economy, space society and space diplomacy) defined. 5

6 Breakout Session 4: Space Diplomacy For the purpose of fostering socio-economic sustainable development, defined as cooperation among nations in using space technologies and applications to address common challenges facing humanity and to build constructive, knowledge-based partnerships. Main areas to be covered in this breakout session 4: current international policies and practices in space; attention of governments to the need for regulatory frameworks and mechanisms at national, regional and global levels; role of international mechanisms for cooperation in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space; aligning national policies with the need for growth and development in outer space activities; processes for enhancing the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, including through transparency and confidence-building measures; challenges for public private partnership (PPP) in space activities; and development of national space policies and regulatory frameworks. Main expected outcomes of breakout session 4: mechanisms proposed for effective governance; plan of inclusion of emerging space countries into the circle of diplomacy of developed space-faring nations; the link between space diplomacy and decision-making at a global level for transparency and confidence-building is established; and linkages with other three topics (space economy, space society and space accessibility) defined. Wednesday, 23 November Parallel breakout sessions to be attended by all participants. Forum participants will be divided into four discussion groups (space economy, space society, space accessibility and space diplomacy) based on area of expertise and interest and together each group will focus on several points reaching agreement on recommendations/observations that will lead to the development of an agreed upon Dubai Declaration. Technical Tour An informative technical tour of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre will be organized for the Forum participants. Thursday, 24 November Roundtable Discussion Session The primary purpose is to address the future global space governance leading up to the fiftieth anniversary of the First United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space UNISPACE+50 in Concluding Session The primary purpose is for the moderators of the breakout sessions to present results of their discussion sessions, including any draft recommendations/observations to be included in the Forum report and issuing of the Dubai Declaration. Side events and exhibits 6

7 Specific side events could be organized by participants and/or in cooperation with the Office for Outer Space Affairs and the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAE-SA) and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) to showcase lessons learned and best practices. Poster exhibit A poster exhibit will also be organized to allow speakers and participants to present their ideas and to share them with the other participants. The posters will be grouped by subject and authors will be at the posters for one of the two afternoon poster sessions according to the schedule in the programme. Sponsorship of the Forum The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the United Arab Emirates Space Agency together with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre are co-organizers and cosponsors of the High Level Forum. Sponsorship of the Forum is still open to other interested entities. Expected Participants The First United Nations/United Arab Emirates High Level Forum is expected to bring together around 120 participants from national, regional, and international public and private organizations and institutions including: decision-makers from government agencies (space agencies, ministries, etc.); high-ranking officials from regional and international agencies involved; representatives and experts from the United Nations agencies; experts from the space community; experts from entrepreneurial and business academic community and policy makers; experts from international Centres of Excellence; researchers involved in the use of space activities; representatives of the private sector in the space and non-space fields; and civil society leaders. Participation requirements Applicants must have well-established professional working experience in the fields related to the topics of the Forum. Applicants, who can demonstrate that this Forum is central to their professional activities and/or responsibilities, will be selected on a priority basis. Applications from qualified female participants are particularly encouraged. Selected participants will have the opportunity to prepare a presentation of approximately minutes on topics relevant to the Forum objectives. Presentations on actual ongoing projects/initiatives to showcase best practices will be of particular interest to participants of the Forum. In addition, they are expected to contribute to reporting activities of the Forum. It is also necessary to submit an abstract of presentation with a maximum of 600 words including the following details: Paper Title, Author (s) Name(s), Affiliation(s), and address for the presenting author. Presentations made at the Forum will be published on the website of the Office for Outer Space Affairs ( approximately two weeks after the Forum concluded. 7

8 Financial support Within the limited financial resources available, a number of selected participants will be offered financial support to attend the Forum. This financial support will defray the cost of travel (a round trip airticket most economic fare between the airport of international departure in their home country and Dubai, United Arab Emirates) and/or the room and board expenses for the duration of the Forum. The co-sponsors of the Forum will jointly select participants on a competitive basis. Successful applicants will be notified within two weeks after the application deadline. Deadline for Submission of Applications and Abstracts For those seeking financial support - the completed application form together with the presentation abstract should be submitted on-line no later than Sunday, 11 September For participants who are self-funded or are being funded by their own organizations, the completed application form together with the presentation abstract should be submitted online no later than Sunday, 18 September Only complete applications with all the requested information and signatures will be considered by the Forum Programme Committee. Life and Health Insurance Life/major health insurance for each of the selected participants is necessary and is the responsibility of the candidate or his/her institution or Government. The co-sponsors will not assume any responsibility for life and major health insurance, nor for expenses related to medical treatment or accidents. Contact Information For information regarding the submission of nominations for attendance and funding, please contact Ms. Romana Kofler, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, at: romana.kofler@unoosa.org and Mr. Markus Woltran, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, at: markus.woltran@unoosa.org For information regarding the programme and sponsorship of the Forum, please contact Ms. Sharafat Gadimova, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, at: sharafat.gadimova@unoosa.org The focal point for the United Arab Emirates is Ms. Ghariba Salem, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, who can be contacted at: ghariba.salem@mbrsc.ae and Mr. Saeed Karmostaji, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, at: saeed.karmostaji@mbrsc.ae 8