About ISRO Recent Events ISRO Centres Programmes Decade Plan Space Science International Sponsored Research Space Services Commercial Training Facilities Resources Contact Us   July 19,1999 Speech Delivered by Prof U R Rao, who presided over the UNISPACE-III Conference Mr Secretary-General, Mr President, your excellencies, distinguished delegates and representatives of all member nations and international organisations, Introduction It is indeed a very great honour for me and my country to have been unanimously elected as the President of the historic UNISPACE-III Conference, being held on the threshold of the next millennium, exactly three decades after Neil Armstrong landed on the Moon to achieve a giant leap for mankind. I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude and appreciation to all the distinguished delegates of the Member States for entrusting me with the important task of presiding over UNISPACE-III. I take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the Austrian Government, its leaders and people for extending their proverbial hospitability to all the delegates attending this Conference. We are particularly pleased to have had the honour of the presence of the Federal President of Austria, His Excellency Thomas Klestil, at the opening of this Conference. I would also like to pay special tribute to the Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, for gracing this occasion and demonstrating the commitment of the United Nations to international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. Distinguished delegates, UNISPACE-III is the fruitful culmination of intensive efforts of all the Member Nations of the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS), over the last eight years. The onerous task of planning and preparation for the UNISPACE-III Conference itself was mandated by the UN General Assembly at its fifty second session in 1997 to UN-COPUOS, which in its forty year history, has been making historic contributions towards promotion of international cooperation in the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space. Evolution of UNISPACE III Distinguished delegates may recall the first UNISPACE Conference held in Vienna in 1968, which succeeded in bringing an awareness of the vast potential of space benefits to all the Member States. Significant successes achieved in the seventies in the application of space technology, particularly in communication, weather monitoring and management of natural resources, clearly established the urgent need to promote greater use of space technology in all Member Nations through international cooperation. Following the recommendations of UNISPACE-II held in Vienna in 1982, the United Nations programme on space applications was considerably strengthened and expanded, resulting in increased opportunity for developing countries to participate in educational and training activities in space science and technology and to develop their indigeneous capabilities in the use of space technology applications. Large increase in the number of developing countries involved in space activities since 1982, combined with the far reaching changes in the political climate of the world due to the end of the cold war, have undoubtedly created a conducive atmosphere for increased international cooperation. Rapid growth in the commercialisation of space activities, which were earlier essentially the domain of Governments, has made a qualitative change in the spread of space benefits across the world. New scientific discoveries have helped in sharply focussing our attention on the environmental problems facing the world community. Sustainable development has rightly become the watch word for the survival of humanity in the next millennium. The decision to hold UNISPACE-III Conference against the background of these developments, with a view to take stock of the recent advances in space science and technology and develop a comprehensive road map for promoting its wide spread application, is indeed both very relevant and timely. Spectacular Achievements in Space Exploration of Outer Space, studded with exotic galaxies, stars and planets, has always held the fascination of humankind, from time immemorial. Space platforms, with their ability to view through the entire electromagnetic spectrum, have unveiled the magnificent panorama of the vast cosmos, tracing our history back to the origin of the universe itself. Hundreds of exotic, compact and massive stars such as X-ray stars, Gamma ray bursters, Neutron stars, Pulsars and even a few Black Holes have now been discovered. While infrared and ultraviolet explorers have provided direct evidence for the birth of the stars and galaxies, Space Telescope has been continuously extending our reach into the depths of the universe, bringing distant worlds closer to our vision. We have been able to explore the turbulent interior of the Sun, as well as the breath taking geological features of the solar system planets and comets. The discovery of extra solar planetary bodies have provided a new impetus to look for the presence of life and also intelligence elsewhere in the universe. Extensive investigations carried out in space biology, space sciences and material processing under micro gravity conditions have been paving the way for future commercial exploitation of space. Satellite communication, with its vast reach and flexibility has become the most powerful engine of growth for development. The emergence of digital broadcasting, direct to home television and global mobile personal communication systems has made the dream of establishing instantaneous global connectivity anywhere on land, air or sea, a space age reality. Confluence of computer and communication technologies has paved the way to establish national and global information infrastructures. The global village is on the verge of transition from a concept to reality, with information super highways providing instantaneous access to the vast data bases and information network, an essential requirement for any nation to compete in the knowledge based global economy. Satellite communication, combined with the phenomenal developments in GPS and geographic information systems, has totally revolutionised navigation bringing the concept of free flight within the realm of our horizon. Satellite remote sensing, using optical and microwave techniques, now provides vital inputs on landuse practices, forest monitoring, water resource management, soil classification, wasteland identification, agricultural monitoring, ocean dynamics, cartography and environmental pollution. Advanced earth observation systems with very narrow band spectroscopy and platforms capable of imaging at a resolution of better than one meter have been developed. Continuous monitoring of ozone, rain precipitation, aerosol content and green house gases are providing valuable inputs to study global climatic changes. Remote sensing and meteorological satellites are helping us to keep a constant vigil on cyclones, hurricanes, landslides, forest fires and other natural disasters. In combination with geographic information systems, satellite remote sensing has emerged as the most versatile and powerful tool for supporting decision-making process on resource management, even at micro-level. The practical benefits of space technology applications today virtually touch every facet of human endeavour extending over communication, navigation, meteorology, education, health, agriculture, resource management, environmental protection, disaster management and entertainment. Challenges for Humanity Inspite of these spectacular advances, as Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India stated in her address to the UNISPACE-II Conference in 1982. "The promise of gains from advanced technologies elude the majority of peoples, whose aspirations for a better and richer life remain unfulfilled". A large number of developing countries continue to be plagued with problems of malnutrition, hunger, illiteracy, low agricultural productivity, poor infrastructure, lack of resources and an absymally low standard of living. Developing countries carrying over three quarters of the global population, account for just 25% of energy consumption and contribute to less than 16% of the global GDP. 25% of the people in these countries do not even have access to safe drinking water and almost 40% of the people continue to be illiterate. Large scale migration of rural people to the socially deficient urban areas has led to serious environmental degradation and rapid spread of respiratory, communicable and water borne diseases. Economic globalisation in the technologically advanced world has resulted in the marginalisation of countries with scarce resources. Humankind, in its relentless pursuit of progress, comforts and security, has been indiscriminately overgrazing both the renewable and non-renewable resources of our planet, resulting in severe degradation of large tracts of once fertile land and loss of bio-diversity. Over exploitation of natural resources beyond their regenerative capacity has led to the global disease of environmental degradation, stretching the life sustaining mechanisms well beyond their recuperative limits, posing a serious challenge to the society as a whole. Rapid increase in green house gases due to unchecked anthropogenic activities such as large scale deforestation, industrialisation and gross mismanagement of natural resources has become local as well as global concern, which could initiate unprecedented climatic changes through global warming, ozone depletion and sea level variations. Rapidly growing population has further compounded these problems, particularly in the developing countries where poverty, environmental degradation and human deprivation are closely linked. Unless food grain productivity in the developing countries is doubled in the next five decades, they will not be able to provide basic food security to their peoples, conservatively estimated to cross 9 billion by 2050. Improvement of health, education level and skills of all people, particularly women, is the essential part of the development strategy for achieving rapid economic progress and improved human prospects. The greatest challenge facing the humankind in the next millennium is in providing adequate food, economic, health and environmental security on an assured basis to all the people in the world. Initiation of totally integrated sustainable development has become imperative if the catastrophic spectre of large scale starvation in the next millennium has to be avoided. The fundamental aspect of long term sustainable development strategy has to be based on the paradigm of technological innovations, economic determinism and physical constraints arising out of the need to strike a judicious balance between ultimate exploitability and regenerative capacity. Fortunately, recent developments in the application of space remote sensing have clearly demonstrated their potential for initiating sustainable development strategies when they are combined with appropriate biotechnological inputs. The intensive national and international efforts, particularly in the last two decades, have undoubtedly enabled many countries to benefit from the application of space technology in several areas. While a few developing countries have developed their own indigeneous capability to build and launch satellites, others have used commercially available satellites from other countries and international organisations. Recent development of small application satellites based on "faster, better, cheaper" philosophy has facilitated even economically poorer countries to have low cost access to space. Notwithstanding these efforts, the impact of space technology in developing nations continues to be minimal primarily due to non-affordability, lack of expertise and inadequate awareness among decision makers. Our vision of the 21st century global society has to be necessarily based on achieving an acceptable quality of life to all the people in the world. Space technology, with its proven capability, has a decisive role to play as an enabler in the development of the technology rich, information society of the future. While eradication of illiteracy, initiation of sustainable development, achievement of food and economic security, establishment of global human connectivity and protection of earth's eco-system are undoubtedly the immediate challenges to be tackled, long term human aspiration will no doubt include industrial exploitation of space through establishment of semi-permanent space stations and colonisation of outer space. Education is the key for building necessary technological capabilities and development of adequate human resources within each nation to enable them to optimally exploit the direct and spin-off benefits from space. Space industry, with an annual turnover of over 120 billion dollars, has matured into a viable, competitive and rapidly growing business, capable of responding to the user needs on an end-to-end basis. Judicious integration of the market economy controlled space industry capability with overall economic policies of each nation, can greatly accelerate the spread of space benefits across the world. Expectations From UNISPACE III The primary objective of UNISPACE-III Conference is to promote maximal use of space science and technology to solve problems of global and regional significance. This requires strengthening the capabilities of all Member States, in particular developing countries, to use space technology towards achieving economic, social and cultural development. Regional preparatory conferences held last year, have enabled Member States in each of the four regions to identify their specific problems and formulate concrete plans for tackling them. "Space benefits for humanity in the 21st Century", the main theme of the Conference, is expected to address the basic issues of the developing countries related to education, training, technical assistance and industry involvement. The Conference provides an unique opportunity for policy makers around the world to become aware of the latest scientific and technological developments in space which may help them in evolving appropriate techno-economic policies for their own national development. It also provides a forum for the leading space scientists and technologists and leaders of space industry around the world to exchange ideas and shape visions for future space endeavours. Delegates assembled here may also decide to propose new initiatives to establish global systems for monitoring and management of environment and natural disasters. Distinguished delegates, the draft report prepared by UN-COPUOS identifies several actions that need to be taken to solve pressing global and regional problems with the help of space technology. These action programmes specifically address our needs for, protecting the environment and managing our resources, using space applications for human security and welfare, advancing scientific knowledge of space, increasing the opportunities for capacity building and promoting enhanced regional and international cooperation. Let us hope that "The Space Millennium : Vienna Declaration on Space and Human Development" to be finalised at this Conference, will serve as a manifesto for the global community to promote maximal use of space technology for achieving sustainable integrated development, without compromising the needs of and opportunities for future generations. Conclusion Interconnectivity of both natural and anthropogenic phenomena occurring anywhere on the earth, have inextricably linked the fate of each country with that of the world as a whole. Unless we appreciate that land is not just a real estate, a mere lifeless geosphere but a living biosphere through which our planet breathes, sustainable development will remain a dream. It is necessary for all nations "to think globally while acting locally" in order to ensure harmonious development of all societies in the coming decades. Distinguished delegates, history has provided us the unique opportunity of addressing the important issues which will determine the state of the world in the next century. We should recognise the strong scent of hope of people across the world who expect UNISPACE-III to herald the turning point in intensifying global efforts to promote sustainable development. UNISPACE-III should demonstrate that all members of global community including policy makers, industrial leaders, scientists and engineers can work together to collectively face the formidable challenges of the next century. I earnestly hope that at this defining moment in the history of human kind, Member Nations participating in this Conference will decide to forge a global partnership for achieving improved standard for all, better protected and managed eco-system and a safe, more prosperous future. More than three decades ago, President Kennedy of the US stated "Never before has man had such capacity to control his own environment, to end thirst and hunger, to conquer poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy and massive human misery. We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind or to make it the last". We have the unique opportunity of creating history, which comes but rarely, and it is for us to seize this opportunity to establish a new international order where the entire human kind, can live a peaceful and contented life in a serene environment. If we succeed, which we must, we will then be able to truly realise the noble goal of "Vasudeva Kutumbakam", meaning "the whole world is a family", as conceived by our ancient sages.