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The ability of space technology to create wealth and
improve the quality of life over broad geographic and
economic areas, combined with its largely environmentally
benign impact, makes it a powerful tool for sustainable
regional development. Recognizing the fundamental role
of space technologies in enabling widespread economic
and social progress, the Economic and Social Commission
for Asia and the Pacific established the Regional Space
Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP),
following the recommendations made by governments in the
region at the Ministerial Conference on Space Technology
Applications for Development in Asia and the Pacific,
which was held in Beijing in 1994.
The Second Ministerial Conference on Space Applications
for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific was
held at New Delhi in November 1999. In reviewing the status,
the issues and the future of space technology applications
for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific, the
Conference acknowledged the significant progress that
had been made in space technology applications in the
region. It recognized the pivotal role played by ESCAP,
particularly in maintaining the framework of cooperation
established under RESAP.
RESAP, through its three-tier network mechanism embodied
in the Intergovernmental Consultative Committee on the
Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable
Development (ICC), the four regional working groups in
major fields of space technology applications, namely
remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS) and
satellite-based positioning; satellite communication applications;
meteorological satellite applications and natural hazards
monitoring; and space science and technology applications;
and the Regional Information Service and Education and
Training Network, provided a solid foundation upon which
a new phase of activities could be built. This new phase
is expected to encourage further cooperation to enhance
national capacity-building and to strengthen regional
capabilities towards providing opportunities and facilitating
the equitable sharing of the benefits of space technology
development and applications by all countries.
In the light of the above, the Conference produced two
important documents to support regional cooperative mechanisms
and to enhance collaboration for regional space applications
and development: the Delhi Declaration on Space Technology
Applications in Asia and the Pacific for Improved Quality
of Life in the New Millennium, and the Strategy and Action
Plan on Space Technology Applications for Sustainable
Development in Asia and the Pacific.
The Delhi Declaration launched the second phase of RESAP,
to be known as RESAP II. To sustain the momentum of RESAP
and to build on the foundation established during its
implementation, RESAP II now aims to further regional
cooperation in space technology applications and to establish
meaningful, cooperative, self-sustaining mechanisms for
an action-oriented, results-driven programme for optimizing
human and financial resources in the region. This action-oriented
programme is to be known as the Minimum Common Programme.
In addition to and in support of the initial objectives
of RESAP, the second phase, RESAP II, focuses on the following
objectives:
- To coordinate the work at the regional and national
levels so as to bring about synergy and minimize duplication,
idle capacity and waste of resources;
- To create an environment conducive to partnership
between government R and D organizations, educational
institutions and the industrial sector;
- To educate and train specialist human resources, including
experienced managers for programmes related to space
technology;
- To promote the integration of space applications with
development planning;
- To adopt national policies enabling the reorientation
of space activities from technology-push to application-driven;
- To overcome the lack of strong commitment of many
members and associate members in space technology and
applications;
- To enhance funding for space applications and the
Regional Information Services and Education and Training
Network;
- To implement the Minimum Common Programme, as its
core element, with a view to addressing common concerns
and development priorities on the following:
- Environmental and natural resources management
- Poverty alleviation
- Natural disaster reduction
- Food security and agriculture systems
- Capacity-building
- Human resources development and education
- Health care and hygiene
- Sustainable development planning
RESAP II will be implemented under the existing but strengthened
regional network.
