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GENERAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Fifty-sixth session EMERGING ISSUES AND DEVELOPMENTS AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL: ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT (Item 7 (b) of the provisional agenda) REPORT OF THE SECOND MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON SPACE APPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
CONTENTS I. MATTERS CALLING FOR ACTION BY THE COMMISSION OR BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION II. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE III. ORGANIZATION OF THE MEETING I. MATTERS CALLING FOR ACTION BY THE COMMISSION OR BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION 1. The Conference acknowledged the significant progress achieved in space technology applications for sustainable development since the first Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Development in Asia and the Pacific, held at Beijing in 1994, and the instrumental role played by ESCAP and the Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP) in the realization of those achievements. The profound advances in space technology and its applications should be readily available to enhance sustainable development and to achieve rapid improvements in the quality of life in the countries of the region, in particular the least developed and other developing countries. 2. The framework of cooperation established under RESAP provided a solid foundation upon which a new phase of activities could be built. In particular, the Conference noted that in several countries space technologies applications had entered the operational stage, contributing directly and significantly to their economic and social development. It expressed the hope that other countries would soon be able to operationalize their space technology applications programmes. The Conference agreed that in order to continue promoting the operationalization of space applications in the region, the following issues needed to be addressed: human resources development; the involvement of private sector industry and academia; the strengthening of institutional frameworks and improvement of national coordination mechanisms; the establishment of appropriate regional cooperative mechanisms; and raising awareness among policy makers of the many beneficial uses of space technology applications. 3. The Conference noted with satisfaction the assurances given by the members and associate members of ESCAP that they would participate in and contribute to the cooperative activities emerging from the second phase of RESAP (RESAP II). Under the new phase, further cooperation should be encouraged through both bilateral and multilateral approaches, and therefore bilateral and multilateral funding and development agencies were urged to provide the necessary financial support to facilitate implementation of the activities. 4. The Conference also noted with satisfaction the offers of assistance from several countries to implement RESAP II and directed the secretariat to follow up on those offers so that the other countries of the region could benefit from such assistance. 5. Recognizing the uneven development of space technology applications among the countries of the region, the Conference recommended that regional cooperative mechanisms should be institutionalized to facilitate equitable sharing of the benefits of space technology development and applications by all countries in the region. Furthermore, the Conference called for increased harmonization of regional initiatives in space technology development and applications. The Conference agreed that the least developed countries in particular should be encouraged and be provided with the opportunities to share the benefits from space technology applications. 6. The Conference noted with interest the numerous activities of the other bodies and specialized agencies of the United Nations and of other intergovernmental organizations in the application of space technology. Those organizations should continue to strive to coordinate their activities and work more synergistically to avoid unnecessary duplication and enhance the impact of their efforts. ESCAP was called upon to enhance collaboration with those agencies in the development and implementation of future activities under RESAP II. 7. The Conference noted that the issues related to satellite data archives, their access and utilization and related data policy and commercialization aspects still needed to be addressed in a concerted manner. Data generated from the multitude of satellites in space should be made easily accessible at affordable cost to all countries for various applications in their development activities. The Conference stressed the urgency of operationalizing the provision of real-time data free of charge to all countries as soon as they faced a pending natural disaster. 8. The Conference endorsed the Strategy and Action Plan on Space Technology Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific for the New Millennium, which was expected to serve as the overall framework for the implementation of RESAP II. The Conference recommended that RESAP II should identify a structured Minimum Common Programme focusing on the minimum core requirements of the countries of the region, including environmental and natural resource management; food security and agricultural systems; capacity-building; human resources development and education; poverty alleviation; natural disaster reduction; health care and hygiene; and sustainable development planning. The ESCAP secretariat should immediately initiate the necessary activities to formulate a programme of work to translate the recommendations of the Conference into action and facilitate the implementation of the Strategy and Action Plan. 9. The Conference adopted the Ministerial Declaration submitted by the Senior Officials Meeting and decided henceforth to call it the "Delhi Declaration on Space Technology Applications in Asia and the Pacific for Improved Quality of Life in the New Millennium". II. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE A. Policies and perspectives on space technology development and applications, and status of preparedness of the region to meet challenges and opportunities in the twenty-first century 10. Under this agenda item, the Executive Secretary of ESCAP delivered a statement which highlighted the main policies and perspectives on space technology development and applications, and focused on the issues that needed to be called to the attention of and be deliberated on by the Ministerial Conference. He pointed out that the outcome of the Conference would generate a handbook, an Agenda 21 for space applications for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. It would serve as a blueprint for RESAP II. 11. The Executive Secretary pointed out that space technology was still considered a cutting-edge technology in many countries of the region and that for various reasons, the benefits of space technology for sustainable development had still not been fully harnessed in the region. In that regard, the Executive Secretary emphasized the need to level the playing field to enable a greater number of developing countries to keep pace with technological developments that would allow them to gain the optimum benefits. 12. The presence of a "critical mass" of trained personnel, the Executive Secretary stated, was one of the elements necessary for realizing the full benefits of space technology in the region. He voiced the expectation that the Conference would provide the policy guidelines necessary to address the need for sustained pooling of manpower and resources for space technology applications in the region. 13. The Executive Secretary remarked that any programme on space technology applications should place strong emphasis on raising the awareness of policy planners and decision makers and should involve all sectors at all levels of decision-making. He therefore stressed the importance of multilateral partnerships between the government, private sector industry and the academic sector, as well as the urgency of bilateral and multilateral cooperation among the countries of the region in the area of space applications and development. The launching of RESAP II would be a watershed in the establishment of a meaningful, cooperative, self-sustaining mechanism, based on firm commitments by the countries of the region to integrate space technology applications operationally with development planning. 14. The Conference was briefed by the heads of the delegations on the various activities taking place under their respective national space programmes, any current problems and constraints that they were facing, and their priorities for the future. The Conference noted with satisfaction that since the launch of RESAP, very significant achievements had been attained at regional and national levels. In particular, it recognized the inspirational role of the first Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Development in Asia and the Pacific and RESAP in promoting collaboration and cooperation in space technology among the countries of the region. Special thanks were offered to the Government of China for having hosted that historic event in 1994. 15. The achievements realized during the last five years in various sectors of space applications had built up the technological foundation for coping with contemporary problems relating to the destruction of the environment and the promotion of the welfare of the people. 16. Regional cooperation contributed significantly towards nurturing the general development of the region. The Conference reiterated its conviction that such cooperation should be further strengthened in the coming years. Recognizing that the Ministerial Conference was the first regional meeting held after the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III), held in 1999, the importance of the Conference was underscored in that it was able to consolidate, coordinate and synergize its recommendations with those of the conclusions and recommendations of that global event. In particular, it noted the importance of "The Space Millennium: Vienna Declaration on Space and Human Development" and its annexed action plans as a framework for cooperation. 17. There were a number of major constraints still facing the countries, particularly those with limited financial and human resources. The Conference stressed that more training was required in the various fields of space technology applications and called for regional seminars and training programmes to be conducted as frequently as possible. The Conference also acknowledged the usefulness of the joint research and development projects, both bilateral and multilateral, which had been initiated with the assistance of ESCAP, and suggested that joint ventures, such as the development of small satellites, be conducted, especially involving the least developed countries. Joint research initiatives could help address common problems which transcended political boundaries. 18. The costs of developing technology and investing in infrastructure for space applications were high, underscoring the need to make RESAP II practical and effective in order to benefit the space technology development of the countries in the region. One delegation suggested that developed countries should allocate some of their past profits from commercial space activities to RESAP II, and that information on space technology applications which they had collected should be offered to developing countries at low cost or free. The Conference stressed that consideration should be given to additional financial and technical support for national capacity-building in the least developed and developing countries in the region. 19. The Conference noted with appreciation the willingness of some countries to commit resources and to carry out activities at the national level in support of RESAP II. In particular, it acknowledged the contributions being made by countries and new offers made to enhance human resources development through training and education; capacity-building through data provision; participation in regional projects and sharing of facilities; and regional cooperation through the provision of experts. 20. Closer collaboration with and involvement of the other major partners in space technology applications, namely the private sector, user organizations, academia and international organizations, was important. Several delegations mentioned their plans to expand joint programmes and collaboration between their government agencies and industry on the basis of mutual interests and benefits. In every country there was a need to raise the awareness of the public and the decision makers so that they could fully comprehend the application and use of space technology. 21. There was a need to link regional initiatives with existing organizations, entities and infrastructure to ensure the successful implementation of the recommendations of the Conference. Some countries of the region had benefited from their involvement with earlier regional initiatives. It was hoped that the recommendations of the Conference would promote greater coordination and harmonization of regional activities, including an increase in industrial activities, to help accelerate the spread of practical benefits to be derived from space technology applications. 22. The Conference noted with interest the numerous activities of the other bodies and specialized agencies of the United Nations and of other intergovernmental organizations in the application of space technology in the areas of food security and sustainable agricultural development, weather forecasting, environmental monitoring and hazard mitigation, distance education, and overall human development. Those agencies and international organizations were ready to enhance regional cooperation through the framework of RESAP. In that regard, the Conference recognized the opportunities for ESCAP to collaborate with those agencies in the development and implementation of future activities through RESAP II. 23. The Conference expressed its thanks to ESCAP for providing a forum under RESAP to create a programme to determine the needs and problems of the countries in the region, and an action plan to address them. It commended the secretariat for its efforts in preparing the Conference, and acknowledged the contributions of members and associate members in the preparatory activities for the Conference. It noted that by providing strong support for the Space Technology Applications Section and its activities, awareness of the importance of space applications among members and associate members of ESCAP could be further enhanced. 24. Cognizant of the contributions of RESAP, during its first phase, in assisting countries in the Asian and Pacific region to raise awareness of space technology applications and build national capacity, the Conference recommended the launch of RESAP II. The Conference expressed its strong support for RESAP II and noted the willingness of all countries to participate in its activities. B. Report of the Senior Officials Meeting preparatory to theMinisterial Conference 25. The Chairperson of the Senior Officials Meeting, which had been held from 15 to 17 November 1999 in preparation for the ministerial meeting, presented the report of the Senior Officials Meeting preparatory to the Ministerial Conference (E/ESCAP/ENR/MCSA(2)/1), and the draft Strategy and Action Plan on Space Technology Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific for the New Millennium (E/ESCAP/ENR/MCSA(2)/2), which had been reviewed by the Senior Officials. The report of the Senior Officials Meeting contained the conclusions and recommendations arising from the review of and deliberations on the following secretariat documents:
26. The Conference expressed appreciation of the excellent work undertaken by the Senior Officials in making a careful review and comprehensive assessment of the documents and adopted the report of the Senior Officials Meeting. 27. The Conference then reviewed the draft Strategy and Action Plan and adopted it, with a minor amendment, thereby launching RESAP II. The amended Strategy and Action Plan are annexed to the present report. C. Ministerial declaration on space technology applications for improved quality of life in the new millennium 28. The Conference deliberated on the draft ministerial declaration (E/ESCAP/ENR/MCSA(2)/3), which had been carefully reviewed and endorsed at the Senior Officials Meeting earlier and submitted for the consideration of the Conference. The Conference adopted the Ministerial Declaration as presented, and decided to name it the "Delhi Declaration on Space Technology Applications in Asia and the Pacific for Improved Quality of Life in the New Millennium". 29. The Ministerial Declaration is annexed to the present report. 30. The Conference thanked the organizers of the ESCAP/ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) Science Symposium on the theme "Space Technology for Improving Quality of Life in Developing Countries: A Perspective for the Next Millennium". Nearly 200 participants from 25 countries and six intergovernmental organizations had attended the Symposium. A total of six lead talks and 26 case study presentations by eminent experts from different countries had focused on food security, environmental integrity, disaster management, education, rural development and health care, and infrastructure for space applications. A panel of experts and participants had interacted in the discussions and identified specific actions required at the regional and national levels to further develop techniques and solutions for the use of space technology in support of national development and improvement in the overall quality of life in society. 31. The Conference also thanked the organizers of the technical exhibition Space '99 which had been organized as a side event of the Ministerial Conference. Twenty-one exhibitors from the private and government sectors of nine countries had exhibited their products and services at the exhibition. The focus of the exhibition had been on the achievements and products of direct relevance to the Asian and Pacific region. Specific among the exhibits were space technology material, innovative space technologies, launch vehicle technologies, professional societies and bodies, mobile satellite communication, Earth observation imaging services, space flight market products, reliability and testing equipment, ground systems and technologies, Earth observation and geographic information systems (GIS) value-added services, direct-to-home technologies and many other kinds of equipment and services. Participants in the Conference and many other experts took the opportunity to interact with the exhibitors and obtain detailed information on the products and services. 32. The Conference noted with interest the proceedings of the round-table meeting on major natural hazards, organized jointly by the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) of France and the Indian Space Research Organization as a side event to the Conference. The European Space Agency (ESA), the Indian Institute of Technology, the Remote Sensing Technology Centre of Japan, the National Remote Sensing Agency of India, CNES and Spot Image (France) had made some very interesting presentations on the current and the potential uses of satellite data for the management of major natural hazards and their consequences. Representatives of CNES and ESA had informed participants about the intention of their organizations to establish a space system operators' charter to promote efficient support for disaster management by bringing together various space agencies to facilitate the use of satellite data right at the onset of a natural disaster. That initiative had been announced at the UNISPACE III Conference in Vienna. The charter would be open to all space agencies and satellite operators interested in participating in its activities. During the round-table meeting, the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) had made a very interesting and useful presentation on its disaster management support project. 33. The Conference expressed its gratitude to the Honourable Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India, for opening the Conference and delivering an inspiring inaugural address, which had set the tone for the deliberations in the Conference. The Conference also expressed its thanks to His Excellency Mr Murli Manohar Joshi, Minister, Human Resources Development and Science and Technology, Government of India, for his opening statement. The Conference expressed its appreciation to His Excellency Mr Murasoli Maran, Minister of Commerce and Industries, Government of India, for his strong support in the organization of the Conference. 34. The Conference commended the Chairperson, His Excellency Mr Murli Manohar Joshi and the members of the Bureau for their able leadership in conducting the Conference and bringing it to a successful conclusion. 35. The Conference also expressed appreciation to the Honorary Chairman and Chairman of the National Organizing Committee, as well as the other officials of ISRO and different ministries who had served as committee members, for their dedicated work and valuable support for holding the Conference in New Delhi. 36. The Conference thanked the Chairperson of the Senior Officials Meeting preparatory to the Ministerial Conference, His Excellency Mr K. Kasturirangan, Secretary, Department of Space, Government of India, the members of the Bureau, and all other senior officials whose effective stewardship and hard work had ensured smooth preparations for the Ministerial Conference. 37. The Conference gratefully acknowledged the financial support provided by the Government of the Netherlands in the preparatory activities of the Conference. It also expressed its appreciation to the governments of Australia, China, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and the United States of America for their support in various ways in the preparations for the Conference. The Conference also thanked the members of the Intergovernmental Consultative Committee and the regional working groups, who had reviewed the background documents for the Senior Officials Meeting preparatory to the Ministerial Conference. The Conference noted with appreciation the support provided by the United Nations Development Programme and the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology in the organization of the Conference. 38. The Conference expressed its profound gratitude to the Government and people of India for providing generous financial support and excellent facilities as hosts of the Conference and for the warm hospitality extended to all the participants. III. ORGANIZATION OF THE MEETING 39. The Second Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific was held at New Delhi from 18 to 20 November 1999. The Conference was preceded by the Senior Officials Meeting preparatory to the Ministerial Conference. 40. The Conference was attended by representatives of the following members and associate members of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific: Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, France, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United States of America and Viet Nam. 41. Representatives of the following United Nations bodies and specialized agencies attended: United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, United Nations Population Fund, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and World Meteorological Organization. 42. Representatives of the following intergovernmental organizations also attended: Asia-Pacific Telecommunity, Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, European Space Agency and International Organization of Space Communications. 43. Representatives of the following non-governmental organizations and other entities also attended: the International Astronautical Federation and the International Council of Scientific Unions/Committee on Space Research. 44. A number of space planners, scientists, academics and entrepreneurs participating in the ESCAP/ISRO Science Symposium and the technical exhibition Space '99, both held in conjunction with the Ministerial Conference and the Senior Officials Meeting, attended as observers. 45. The Honourable Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India, opened the Conference. In his inaugural address, the Prime Minister welcomed the participants to the Conference on behalf of the Government of India. 46. The Prime Minister observed that, as the human race stood at the threshold of a new millennium, it had fulfilled what had been a dream of the past: to extend its reach to space. That endeavour was a collective journey and not one of any single country or group of countries. The Prime Minister stressed that regional cooperation, as part of the wider context of global cooperation, lay at the heart of the exploration of space. 47. The Prime Minister noted that the countries of Asia and the Pacific shared many challenges to sustainable development, especially in the areas of food security, water conservation, environment protection, disaster management, education and health care. There was an urgent need to refocus the collective attention of the countries in the region, as well as that of the world, to achieve improved quality of life for the population of the region, which represented about 60 per cent of the global population. Observing that space technology was already meeting several developmental needs, the Prime Minister gave examples of many areas where space technology could be further harnessed. 48. The Prime Minister mentioned that India had made considerable achievements in space research and applications. Over the years, it had contributed very significantly to RESAP, which had been launched at the first Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Development in Asia and the Pacific, held at Beijing five years previously, and was willing to contribute further. He expressed India's willingness to share experience and expertise with the countries in the region and to work jointly towards achieving a sustainable living for all peoples in the region through both bilateral and multilateral arrangements. 49. The Prime Minister stressed the need to develop space applications for global peace and security. He noted that space must become the newest frontier, not for an arms race but for humankind's collaborative and common race for development. He expressed the hope that the region would set an example to the world in the use of space applications for sustainable development and that the Conference would produce a practical strategy to realize that vision. 50. In his welcoming address, His Excellency Mr Murli Manohar Joshi, Minister, Human Resources Development and Science and Technology, Government of India, welcomed the participants. He was glad to note that during the ESCAP/ISRO Science Symposium and other meetings preceding the Conference a number of detailed discussions on the practical applications of space science and technology, as well as several other important issues, had taken place. He drew the attention of the Conference in particular to the need for cooperation to address the important task of mitigating natural disasters in the region, of which the recent cyclone in the state of Orissa, India, was a sad example. 51. The Minister informed the Conference of his country's intention to conduct major studies to create a long-term vision for space exploration and applications over the next few decades and to take further action based on those studies. He invited the participation of other countries, particularly ESCAP members and associate members, in those studies and actions. 52. The Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his message to the Conference, stated that space technology and its applications were providing new tools to address the problems of society and the environment and were likely to have many more exciting new uses that were still to be discovered. He noted that, in the Asian and Pacific region, the use of satellites had reduced the isolation of distant islands and villages and made remote areas more accessible. The Conference provided an opportunity for the countries of the region to unite behind a common cause: developing new ways to use space to improve conditions on Earth. 53. The Secretary-General expressed his confidence that the participants in the Conference would move towards ever greater collaboration in space activities and that the deliberations would provide a framework for concrete strategies and a plan of action for continuing the cooperation achieved through RESAP thus far. He offered the continued support of the United Nations in that endeavour. 54. The Executive Secretary of ESCAP, in his opening statement, expressed his profound gratitude and sincere appreciation to the Prime Minister of India for inaugurating the Conference and to the Government of India for its generosity as host of the Conference. He also extended his deep gratitude to Mr K. Kasturirangan, Chairman, Department of Space, and Mr George Joseph, eminent scientist, who served as Honorary Chairman and Chairman of the National Organizing Committee, respectively, as well as the other officials of ISRO and various ministries who served as members of the Committee. The Executive Secretary also conveyed his thanks to the Government of India for the generous financial support that it had provided for the organization of the Conference, as well as for supporting the participation of ministers and senior officials from several least developed and developing countries as honoured guests of the Government of India. 55. The Executive Secretary also thanked the Government of the Netherlands for the financial support that it had provided, which had greatly facilitated the preparatory activities for the Conference. He further extended his thanks to China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea for their inputs to the background documents; the members of the Intergovernmental Consultative Committee and the regional working groups for their support and assistance; and to the governments of China and the Philippines for the secondment of experts and to the governments of Australia, India, Pakistan and the United States for providing experts for the preparation of the Conference. 56. The Executive Secretary observed that the first Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Development in Asia and the Pacific had paved the way for promoting space science and technology development and applications in the region through RESAP. Since the launching of RESAP, inspiring developments had contributed to greater awareness and use of space technology among both developed and developing countries of the region. He informed the Conference that the Commission, at its fifty-third session held at Bangkok in April 1997, had expressed satisfaction that the outcome of the first Ministerial Conference was being translated into concrete action at the national and regional levels. He noted, however, that a major challenge remained to ensure equitable access to space technology development and applications so that all countries in the region could benefit when addressing societal and environmental problems. 57. The Executive Secretary noted that at the global level, UNISPACE III, held at Vienna in 1999, had heralded the need for enhancing international cooperation in promoting more effective means of using space-based data in addressing practical problems and environmental issues of local, regional and global significance. He expressed his hope that the Conference would be able to translate that universal goal into the regional context to reflect the aspirations of the countries of the region. 58. The Executive Secretary stated that, with the support of its members and associate members, ESCAP had been able to organize and coordinate numerous projects and activities under RESAP. He assured participants that ESCAP would continue to play a catalytic role to accommodate the recommendations of the Conference under the new phase of RESAP. He expressed his confidence that the collective wisdom of the Conference would provide the framework for the next phase, enabling the countries in the region to share the benefits from space technologies more equitably. 59. Mr K. Kasturirangan, Secretary, Department of Space, Government of India, delivered a vote of thanks to the Prime Minister of India, the Minister for Human Resources Development and Science and Technology, the Executive Secretary of ESCAP, the Ministers, the senior officials who attended the Senior Officials Meeting preparatory to the Ministerial Conference; the various members of the Intergovernmental Consultative Committee and the regional working groups, and the participants in the Science Symposium and the technical exhibition Space '99. 45. The Conference elected His Excellency Mr Murli Manohar Joshi, Minister for Human Resources Development and Science and Technology, Government of India, Chairperson. 46. The following were elected Vice-Chairpersons: HE Lt Gen Muhammad Noor Uddin Khan, PSC (Rtd.), Minister for Science and Technology, Bangladesh; HE Dasho Nedo Rinchen, Deputy Minister, National Environment Commission, Bhutan; HE Mr Lar Narath, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, Cambodia; HE Mr Hui Yong-zheng, Vice Minister of Science and Technology, China; HE Mr Ri Kwang Ho, Minister, Academy of Sciences, Democratic People's Republic of Korea; HE Mr Claude Allegre, Minister of National Education, Research and Technology, France; HE Mr Muhammad A.S. Hikam, Minister of State for Research and Technology, Indonesia; HE Mr Mehdi Tabeshian, Deputy Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Post, Telegraph and Telephone, Islamic Republic of Iran; HE Mr Souli Nanthavong, Minister to Prime Minister's Office, Science, Technology and Environment Organization, Lao People's Democratic Republic; HE Mr Chan Nyein, Director-General, Ministry of Science and Technology, Myanmar; HE Mr Surendra Prasad Choudhary, State Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology, Nepal; HE Mr Batty Weerakoon, Minister of Science and Technology, Sri Lanka; HE Mr Arthit Ourairat, Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, Thailand; and HE Mr Dang Vu Minh, Director General, National Centre for National Science and Technology of Viet Nam. 47. His Excellency Mr H. Harijono Djojodihardjo, Chairman, LAPAN/Indonesian National Institute for Aeronautics and Space, was elected Rapporteur. 45. The following agenda was adopted for the Conference:
45. The Conference adopted its report on 20 November 1999. Annex LIST OF DOCUMENTS
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