About ISRO Recent Events ISRO Centres Programmes Decade Plan Space Science International Sponsored Research Space Services Commercial Training Facilities Resources Contact Us   July 16,1999 UNISPACE-III to be Held in Vienna from July 19, 1999 The third United Nations Conference on Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE-III) is being held at Vienna, Austria, from July 19, 1999 to July 30, 1999. During the conference, important aspects relevant to the future development of space and cooperation among the countries for its development will be discussed. Prof U R Rao, Member of India's Space Commission, who is also the Chairman of the UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, will preside over the conference. The Indian delegation is being led by Dr K Kasturirangan, Chairman, ISRO/Secretary, Department of Space. Since the Space Age began in 1957 following the launching of Sputnik of erstwhile USSR, the world has gained many practical benefits by adapting space technology - which previously had been mostly the domain of the military - to civilian uses. The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) has helped shape the world's policies regarding the development and uses of space technology. In two previous international conferences held in Vienna, Austria in 1968 and 1982, UN Member States were successful in creating and strengthening the United Nations Programme on Space Applications, which was entrusted with the task of assisting nations interested in using space technology for development purposes. The world community will once again gather in Vienna for UNISPACE III. The Conference will allow delegates to assess the current state of space technology and offer a blueprint for the use and exploration of outer space. Delegates to the Conference will have the opportunity to determine how best to promote the use of space technology to help solve regional and global problem. This gathering should also result in a plan for the most effective means to engage the entire international community on the benefits of using space technology applications for economic, social, and cultural development. As the only major intergovernmental gathering on outer space affairs held in the last 17 years, UNISPACE-III, will be a unique event in that, for the first time during a UN global conference, the private sector and civil society will participate as partners of the United Nations. The Conference is expected to attract the participation of high-level government officials and policy makers from 185 UN Member States, including heads of space agencies, as well as representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations and top executives from space related industry. The Vienna-based United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs is the executive secretariat of UNISPACE-III. All participants from industrialised and developing countries are expected to find UNISPACE III to be an excellent opportunity for exchanging ideas on the direction of space activities, establishing professional networks for future cooperation and exploring commercial opportunities. Conference Objectives One of the key objectives of UNISPACE III is to identify specific areas and actions through which space science and technology can help solve common problems of regional or global significance. The Conference will also promote the use of space technology and help strengthen the capabilities of UN Member States, in particular developing countries, in using space applications for telecommunications broadcasting and navigation; agriculture and vegetation monitoring; protecting the environment; disaster warning; and space research for human development. UNISPACE III will consider ways of expediting the use of space applications by UN Member States to promote sustainable development, particularly in implementing the recommendations contained in Agenda 21, adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, through the involvement of a larger number of developing countries in international research programmes such as the International Geosphere-Biosphere (Global Change) Programme. UNISPACE III will address the various issues related to education, training and technical assistance in space science and technology and their applications aimed at the development of indigenous capabilities in all States. The Conference will provide a valuable forum for a critical evaluation of space activities and help increase awareness among the general public regarding the benefits of space technology with a view towards strengthening international cooperation in space technology and applications. The Conference is expected to adopt an action plan for the international community to follow in the next decades: The Space Millenium: Vienna Declaration on Space and Human Development. Other Major Features In addition to the plenary meetings, a number of important events will be held within the frame work of UNISPACE III. Informal gatherings, a major exhibition and other special events associated with the Conference are planned to help formulate the direction of space activities for the next millennium. The Conference will feature a Technical Forum, organised in cooperation with a number of space agencies and international organisations, including around 40 workshops, seminars, forums and panels on various issues related to the agenda and objectives of the Conference, and with participants from governments, R&D institutions and space industry worldwide. A major international public exhibition on space technology is being organized to coincide with the Conference. The purpose of the exhibition will be to showcase global achievements in space technology, highlight current and future development tools; champion the spirit of international cooperation and globalisation; present emerging technologies; provide a forum for business opportunities; and establish partnerships among developed and developing nations. Another unique feature of the Conference will be the Space Generation Forum, organised in cooperation with the alumini association of the International Space University (ISU), France. Delegates to the Forum will speak for the world's youth at UNISPACE III. The Forum will give young professionals an unprecedented chance to shape humankind's future by airing their views about crucial space activities for the next century. Recommendations from the highly qualified young space professionals taking part in the Forum will complement governmental discussions at UNISPACE-III by generating fresh ideas, alternative scenarios and new insights. In addition to the Space Generation Forum, a Space Festival will provide young people from 8 to 18 years of age with opportunities to learn about practical benefits of space technology and to motivate them to join space endeavours in the future. The Festival, which is being organised by four non-profit organisations and a private firm, will feature an international essay writing contest. Other special events will include the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Moon Landing with the participation of astronauts and cosmonauts. India, which is a member of UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS), since its inception, has been playing an active role. That Prof U R Rao was elected by consensus as Chairman of (UN-COPUOS), is a recognition for India's active international cooperation in space. As one of the outcome of UNISPACE II held in 1982, India took the initiative to shares its experience in space with other developing countries by training their personnel under a programme called SHARES (of Experience in Space). India was selected by UN for setting up the Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Asia and the Pacific which started functioning in 1995. India is also participating in the Exhibition to highlight its achievements and bring out how space is used for developmental tasks in the country besides projecting its capabilities in communication and remote sensing satellites as well as launch vehicles. That Prof U R Rao will be presiding over the UNISPACE-III is a recognition for India's active role in International Cooperation in space. It may be noted that Late Dr Vikram Sarabhai was the Vice-President and Scientific Chairman of the first UN Conference on Space held in 1968 and Prof Yash Pal was the Secretary General of Second UN Conference held in 1982.