PART ONE
REPORT OF THE SECOND MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
ON SPACE APPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ASIA
AND THE PACIFIC
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 had
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.
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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 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 resources 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".
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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.
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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. A number of major constraints still faced 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 to 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, were 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.
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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 to 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.
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B.
Report of the Senior Officials Meeting preparatory to the
Ministerial 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:
(a) Status of implementation of the Regional Space Applications
Programme for Sustainable Development (E/ESCAP/ENR/SOSA(2)/1);
(b) Space technology applications for sustainable development
in Asia and the Pacific: issues (E/ESCAP/ENR/SOSA(2)/2);
(c) Space vision 21: the future of space technology development
and applications in Asia and the Pacific (E/ESCAP/ENR/SOSA(2)/3);
(d) Strategy and action plan on space technology applications
for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific for the
new millennium (E/ESCAP/ENR/SOSA(2)/4).
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 included
in 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 included the present
report.
D. Other matters
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.
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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 ISRO 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
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,
K. Kasturirangan, Secretary, Department of Space, Government
of India, the members of the Bureau, and all other senior
officials whose effective steward-ship 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. 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.
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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 from 15 to 17 November.
A. Attendance
40. The Conference was attended by representatives of the
following members and associate members of ESCAP: 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: 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.
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B.Opening of the Conference
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.
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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
K. Kasturirangan, Chairman, Department of Space, and 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 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.
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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. 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.
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C. Election of officers
60. The Conference elected His Excellency Mr Murli Manohar
Joshi, Minister for Human Resources Development and Science
and Technology, Government of India, Chairperson.
61. The following were elected Vice-Chairpersons: H.E. Lt
Gen Muhammad Noor Uddin Khan, P.S.C. (Rtd.), Minister for
Science and Technology, Bangladesh; H.E. Dasho Nado Rinchen,
Deputy Minister, National Environment Commission, Bhutan;
H.E. Mr Lar Narath, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Post
and Telecommunications, Cambodia; H.E. Mr Hui Yongzheng, Vice
Minister of Science and Technology, China; H.E. Mr Ri Kwang
Ho, Minister, Academy of Sciences, Democratic People's Republic
of Korea; H.E. Mr Claude Allegre, Minister of National Education,
Research and Technology, France; H.E. Mr Muhammad A.S. Hikam,
Minister of State for Research and Technology, Indonesia;
H.E. Mr Mehdi Tabeshian, Deputy Minister for International
Affairs, Ministry of Post, Telegraph and Telephone, Islamic
Republic of Iran; H.E. Mr Souli Nanthavong, Minister to Prime
Minister's Office, Science, Technology and Environment Organization,
Lao People's Democratic Republic; H.E. Mr Chan Nyein, Director-General,
Ministry of Science and Technology, Myanmar; H.E. Mr Surendra
Prasad Choudhary, State Minister, Ministry of Science and
Technology, Nepal; H.E. Mr Batty Weerakoon, Minister of Science
and Technology, Sri Lanka; H.E. Mr Arthit Ourairat, Minister
of Science, Technology and Environment, Thailand; and H.E.
Mr Dang Vu Minh, Director General, National Centre for National
Science and Technology of Viet Nam.
62. His Excellency Mr H. Harijono Djojodihardjo, Chairman,
LAPAN/Indonesian National Institute for Aeronautics and Space,
was elected Rapporteur.
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D.
Adoption of the agenda
63. The following agenda was adopted for the Conference:
1. Opening of the Conference.
2. Election of officers.
3. Adoption of the agenda.
4. 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.
5. Report of the Senior Officials Meeting preparatory to the
Ministerial Conference:
(a) Status of implementation of the Regional Space Applications
Programme for Sustainable Development;
(b) Issues concerning space technology applications for sustainable
development;
(c) Strategy and action plan on space technology applications
for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific;
(d) Space vision 21: the future of space technology development
and applications in Asia and the Pacific.
6. Ministerial declaration on space technology applications
for improved quality of life in the new millennium.
7. Other matters.
8. Adoption of the report.
E.
Adoption of the report
64. The Conference adopted its report on 20 November 1999.
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PART
TWO: ANNEXES TO THE REPORT OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
REPORT
OF THE MEETING OF SENIOR OFFICIALS PREPARATORY TO THE MINISTERIAL
CONFERENCE
I. MATTERS CALLING FOR ACTION BY THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
OR BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION
1. The Meeting observed the significant progress that had
been achieved in the field of space applications for sustainable
development since the first Ministerial Conference on Space
Applications for Development in Asia and the Pacific, held
in Beijing in 1994. The Meeting observed that ESCAP and the
three-tiered network established under the Regional Space
Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (RESAP),
which was launched by the first Ministerial Conference, have
been instrumental in this regard, and recommended that the
next phase of regional cooperation in space technology applications
and development should build upon the foundation established
by RESAP, and that ESCAP should be provided with the mandate
to continue to promote regional cooperation in space technology
development and applications in the Asian and Pacific region.
2. The Meeting noted that the progress thus far had been
made possible by the warm spirit of cooperation that had developed
between countries. In this regard, the Meeting expressed its
deep appreciation to the generous support extended by both
developed and developing countries to RESAP, as well as by
multilateral funding agencies and the United Nations.
3. The Meeting agreed that to continue promoting operationalization
of space applications in the region and sustaining the momentum,
the following issues need to be addressed: human resources
development; involvement of private sector industry and academia;
strengthening of institutional frameworks and improvement
of national coordination mechanisms; the establishment of
an appropriate regional cooperative mechanism; and further
raising of awareness of policy makers of the many beneficial
uses of space technology applications.
4. The Meeting endorsed and adopted the Strategy and Action
Plan, which would launch the next phase of RESAP, or RESAP
II. RESAP II would, inter alia, identify a more structured
Minimum Common Programme focusing on the minimum core requirements
of the countries of the region. The Meeting recommended that
these include environmental and natural resource management;
food security and agricultural systems; human resources development
and education; poverty alleviation; weather forecasting; natural
disaster reduction; health care and hygiene; and sustainable
development planning. In this regard the Meeting also urged
the governments to recognize the increasing role that satellite
communication could play in addressing the requirements of
remote rural areas.
5. Under RESAP II, the Meeting also recommended that the
three-tiered network of the Intergovernmental Consultative
Committee, four regional working groups, and the Regional
Information Service and Education and Training Network be
strengthened and expanded. In this regard, closer partnerships
among governmental, academic and industrial sectors should
be developed. Furthermore, the Meeting called for increased
harmonization of regional initiatives in space technology
applications and development. In particular, the United Nations
and other intergovernmental organizations should strive to
effectively coordinate their activities and work more closely
together to avoid duplication and enhance the impact of their
efforts.
6. The Meeting observed that the coming years would see more
advanced satellite instruments being launched for the study
of the global ecology and environment and that optimal integration
of these observations would require careful planning by national
and international organizations to derive greater benefits
from both the current and the planned observation systems
and to address common problems of concern. The Meeting recommended
that the countries of the region take note of this evolving
strategy and adopt a common vision to derive maximum benefits
for sustainable development in the region. In this regard,
the Meeting drew the attention of the countries to the fact
that integrating space technology inputs into development
planning called for conscious efforts and the adoption of
an appropriate policy framework in the countries.
7. Also, noting that rapid technological developments which
were taking place globally would bring increasing practical
applications of space and information technologies of direct
relevance to sustainable development, the Meeting recommended
that implementation of the Strategy and Action Plan should
take advantage of these. In addition, it should take into
account the integration of space technology with other frontier
technologies. Moreover, recognizing the uneven development
of space technology applications among countries of the region,
the Meeting recommended that regional cooperative mechanisms
be institutionalized to facilitate equitable sharing of the
benefits of space technology development and applications
by all countries in the region.
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8. In line with the Strategy and Action Plan, the Meeting
recommended that at the national level, national space agencies
and national coordination mechanisms should be established
and/or strengthened, closer partnerships between government
and private sector should be achieved, and greater use of
the media for promotion of national activities relating to
space technology applications should be realized.
9. The Meeting noted the issues related to satellite data
archives, their access and utilization and related data policy
and commercialization aspects, which still needed to be addressed
in a concerted manner. The Meeting recommended that data generated
on a real-time basis from the multitude of satellites in space
should be made easily accessible and available free of charge
to all countries as soon as they faced a pending natural disaster.
10. The Meeting expressed its strong hope that members and
associate members, intergovernmental organizations and various
funding agencies would actively support the implementation
of the second phase of RESAP.
11. The Meeting recommended that the Ministerial Conference
consider favourably the Strategy and Action Plan and the draft
Ministerial Declaration.
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II. PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING
A. Review of the progress of implementation of the Beijing
Declaration on Space Technology Applications for Environmentally
Sound and Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific,
including the implementation of the Regional Space Applications
Programme for Sustainable Development, at both national
and regional levels
(Item 4 of the agenda)
12. The Meeting had before it document E/ESCAP/ENR/SOSA(2)/1,
which contained an overall assessment of the progress of implementation
of the Beijing Declaration on Space Technology Applications
for Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Development in Asia
and the Pacific, including the implementation of the Regional
Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development,
or RESAP. The document described the current state of space
technology development and applications, at regional and national
levels and reviewed the various organizational, technical
and managerial measures that had been carried out under RESAP.
The Meeting expressed its general agreement with the contents
of the document
.
13. The Meeting observed that remarkable progress had been
achieved in the five years since RESAP was launched. Compared
to the situation in 1994, many more countries in the region
had established new space initiatives or had strengthened
their existing activities. Moreover, the activities were becoming
increasingly focused on the real needs of the countries. In
particular, it was notable that many countries had established
their own national space coordination committees to help raise
the profile of space technology applications and to coordinate
the activities of relevant government bodies. Other countries
that had previously focused on research and education were
now capable to move towards the operational aspects of space
technology applications.
14. The Meeting noted that RESAP had demonstrated the benefits
of regional cooperation and its critical importance in ensuring
the peaceful utilization of space. Many countries expressed
that through their participation in RESAP, through the vast
potentials offered by space technologies, some of their developmental
goals had also been realized. Several delegates thanked ESCAP
for its catalytic role in initiating cooperative mechanisms
through the first Ministerial Conference, as well as the various
activities it organized over the past five years under RESAP.
15. The Meeting recognized the invaluable contributions made
by several countries in the implementation of RESAP. A good
example of the collaborative efforts in the implementation
of RESAP was the hosting of the meetings of the Intergovernmental
Consultative Committee (ICC) and the regional working groups
by various countries. Since the first Ministerial Conference,
the three-tiered network of the ICC, the regional working
groups, and the Regional Information Service and Education
and Training Network had been firmly established. In addition,
a dialogue forum for the harmonization of regional initiatives
relating to space technology applications development had
begun meeting to enhance the coordination of various regional
initiatives and avoid duplication of efforts.
16. Several delegations described specific activities taking
place in their countries. Some countries were conducting bilateral
cooperative projects with other countries both within and
outside the region. In various countries, academic institutions
now offered degrees and courses in different space technology
application fields, which was helping to build up the core
expertise in these countries. Furthermore, at the national
level a number of govern- ment and private sector activities
had been jointly initiated, most prominently in the fields
of satellite telecommunications, satellite meteorology, remote
sensing and geoinformatics.
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17. Several delegations expressed their thanks to the countries
that had held regional training courses in various fields
of space technology applications, such as those organized
by the governments of China, India and Indonesia. These training
courses had indeed contributed to the human resources development
and national capacity building in these fields as participants
put their newly acquired skills to practice upon returning
to their own countries.
18. A number of countries also mentioned that they were increasing
efforts to improve the preparedness and mitigation systems
on natural disasters by the use of space technology, which
had affected many countries of the region more acutely over
the recent years than in the past. The Meeting recommended
that the data generated on a real-time basis from the multitude
of satellites in space should be made easily accessible and
available free of charge to all countries as soon as they
faced a pending natural disaster.
19. Several countries expressed their keen interest in continuing
their participation in the various activities and meetings
under RESAP, but noted that since participation in the meetings
of the Intergovernmental Consultative Committee and the four
regional working groups had become self-funded as part of
the move towards self-sustainability, it might be difficult
for them to participate as actively as in the past. The Meeting
expressed its hope that a way to resolve this issue and to
facilitate the participation of all interested countries could
be found by securing the required funds. The Meeting also
expressed its hope that collaboration between ESCAP and other
United Nations bodies, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO), would continue in the future.
20. The Meeting expressed its clear and strong support for
further collaboration in the activities on space technology
applications, and expressed its optimism that the continuation
of the regional programme through RESAP II, in line with the
Strategy and Action Plan, would broaden the scope of cooperation
in the use of space technology towards sustainable development
and thereby improve the quality of life of all peoples of
the region.
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B. Space technology applications for
sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific: issues,
vision, challenges and opportunities
(Item 5 of the agenda)
21. The Meeting had before it document E/ESCAP/ENR/SOSA(2)/2
on issues concerning space technology applications for sustainable
development in Asia and the Pacific region, and document E/ESCAP/ENR/SOSA(2)/3
on space vision 21: the future of space technology development
and applications in Asia and the Pacific. The two documents
had been reviewed in depth by the Ad-hoc High-level Expert
Group Meeting preparatory to the second Ministerial Conference
in conjunction with the Fifth Session of the Intergovernmental
Consultative Committee on Regional Space Applications Programme
for Sustainable Development, held in Bangkok from 10 to 12
June 1999.
22. The Meeting recognized that the two documents reflected
well the issues of space technology development and applications
in the countries of the Asian and Pacific region and agreed
with the priority areas to be addressed as identified in the
documents. The Meeting reiterated with satisfaction that the
implementation of RESAP had contributed significantly to the
enhancement of regional and national capacities for the development
and application of space technology, and that the countries
in the region had greatly benefited from their participation
in RESAP. The Meeting agreed that the next phase of regional
cooperation in space technology applications and development
should be built upon the strong foundation established by
RESAP.
23. The Meeting noted that the major issues affecting the
operational use of space technology and its applications in
Asia and the Pacific included (a) a lack of full awareness
of the potential of space technology among planners, administrators
and policy makers, (b) an insufficient institutional framework
and lack of assured financial support, (c) a lack of trained
personnel and resources, (d) inadequate private sector industry
and academic involvement, (e) spectrum limitation, and (f)
a lack of appropriate regional institutional arrangements
for pooling of resources.
24. The Meeting noted the issues related to satellite remote
sensing data archives, their access and utilization, and related
data policy and commercialization aspects, which still needed
to be addressed in a concerted manner.
25. The Meeting recognized that in the new millennium, there
would be a rapid evolution of the global information infrastructure
and that there would be a need to integrate space technology
applications such as satellite remote sensing, satellite communications,
and satellite-based positioning with other fast-evolving information
technologies.
26. The Meeting recognized that there was a need to establish
a cooperative institutional mechanism between the government,
the academic sector and private industries and to integrate
space technology applications with other information systems,
with a focus on human resources development and indigenous
capability-building to bring in associated social and economic
benefits to the countries of the region.
27. The Meeting agreed that the next phase of the Regional
Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development should
address the priority areas of environmental and natural resource
management, food security, capacity-building, human resources
development and education, poverty alleviation, weather forecasting,
natural disaster reduction, health care and hygiene, and sustainable
development planning.
28. Some countries recommended that the next phase of RESAP
should focus on assisting the countries in their technology
development, in strengthening the institutional network that
had been established through RESAP, in establishing the physical
network for spatial information sharing and in undertaking
pilot projects with the objective of promoting operationalization
of space application integration with other information technologies
through practical applications.
29. United Nations specialized agencies and other international
organizations with space-related activities, such as APT,
CEOS, COSPAR, FAO, IAF, OOSA, UNESCO and WMO, acknowledged
ESCAP efforts in initiating the use of space technology to
address the development needs of the region. They agreed with
the issues and vision of space technology applications in
Asia and the Pacific that were elaborated in the two documents
and agreed to further coordinate their efforts in these fields.
These agencies also suggested that ESCAP should initiate an
action plan for mobilizing resources for successful implementation
of the second phase of the programme.
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30. Some delegations raised the following concerns: due to
the emergence of new space technology (such as channel spacing,
compression techniques and others) the International Telecommunication
Union should be requested to revisit the criteria of the 1997
FSS planned band, and explore more orbital positions, giving
equitable access opportunities to all countries, while safeguarding
at least a minimum number of orbital positions for each and
every country. Some other delegations voiced a different view,
commenting that the process of coordinating radio spectrum
allocation was time-consuming and complex because analyses
of potential interference to other services were required.
Reserving a number of orbital positions could make this process
even more time-consuming. Under RESAP II, the above issues
should be further considered for any possible action.
31. Some delegations proposed to include additional and recent
information in the documents and made such information available
to the Meeting. The accordingly amended parts of the documents
are provided as attachment to the report, which will be issued
as a corrigendum to the respective documents after their final
adoption by the Ministerial Conference.
C. Strategy and action plan
on space technology applications for sustainable development
in Asia and the Pacific and mechanism for effective regional
cooperation
(Item 6 of the agenda)
32. The Meeting had before it document E/ESCAP/ENR/SOSA(2)/4
on the strategy and action plan on space technology applications
for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific for the
new millennium. The Meeting was of the view that the strategy
should build on the original framework endorsed at the First
Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Development
in Asia and the Pacific in 1994, which had served as the guideline
for implementation of the Regional Space Applications Programme
for Sustainable Development.
33. The Meeting recognized that any framework for sustainable
development at the national and regional levels should take
an integrated approach, making effective use of frontier technologies
such as space technology, biotechnology and information technology.
The Meeting also recognized that the Strategy and Action Plan
framework should take into account the current trends in space
technology and the various issues still faced by the region.
In this regard, it was suggested that factual information
contained in the document be updated to reflect the changes
that have transpired since the drafting of the document. Accordingly,
a number of amendments to the document were formulated by
the Meeting to increase its accuracy and currency.
34. The Meeting was of the opinion that at the regional level,
the regional issues presented in the document adequately reflected
the existing conditions in the region. It was pointed out
that among the issues identified at the national level, human
resources development, and research and development needed
to be given more emphasis.
35. It was acknowledged that the implementation of RESAP
had made a remarkable impact on the development and application
of space technology in the region. However, it was also acknowledged
that many of the issues identified at the first Ministerial
Conference needed more time and effort to be adequately addressed
and resolved. Consequently, there remained a considerable
unfinished agenda that warranted actions to be taken for the
wider and more effective operational utilization of space
technologies in the region. In this regard, the launch of
the second phase of RESAP, focusing on the minimum essential
requirements of countries of the region, was considered as
one of the most important action plans in this field, focusing
on issues that should be addressed at the regional level.
36. The existing initiatives and facilities at the international
and regional levels offered readily available systems that
could support the integration of current activities in the
field of space applications. As an example, the established
Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the
Pacific could be useful in implementation of the next phase
of RESAP. The Meeting was also of the opinion that training
activities should make use of the existing regional and national
facilities as much as possible.
37. The Meeting acknowledged that the Ministerial Conference
was the first regional meeting held after UNISPACE III and
expressed confidence that the recommendations of UNISPACE
III would be taken into account in the implementation of the
Strategy and Action Plan.
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38. The Meeting recognized that the region was experiencing
a significant growth in space-related activities and also
had a growing sense of self-reliance. In this regard, the
Meeting was of the view that the new phase of RESAP could
encompass further steps in the areas of coordination and harmonization
of regional initiatives, including the increasing involvement
of private sector industry in this field.
39. The Meeting took note with appreciation of the "Summary
of outcomes of the sessions and action items" of the United
Nations Conference on Space Applications in Promoting Sustainable
Agricultural Development held in Beijing in September 1999,
which was circulated as document ENR/SOSA(2)/INF.1. The Meeting
recognized that the recommendations of the Conference reinforced
the Strategy and Action Plan as presented in the Meeting.
D. Review of the draft ministerial
declaration on space technology applications for improved
quality of life in the new millennium
(Item 7 of the agenda)
40. The Meeting noted that the High-level Expert Group Meeting
preparatory to the Second Ministerial Conference in conjunction
with the Fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Consultative
Committee on Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable
Development, held in Bangkok from 10 to 12 June 1999, had
formulated a draft ministerial declaration on space technology
applications for improved quality of life in the new millennium,
which was circulated in the Meeting as document E/ESCAP/ENR/SOSA(2)/5.
41. The Meeting carefully reviewed the above-mentioned draft
declaration and adopted it as amended, and agreed to submit
it for the consideration of and adoption by the Ministerial
Conference.
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II.
ORGANIZATION OF THE MEETING
A. Opening, duration and organization of the Meeting
42. The Senior Officials Meeting was held in New Delhi from
15 to 17 November 1999. The Meeting was in preparation for
the Second Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for
Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, to be held
in New Delhi from 18 to 20 November 1999.
43. The Meeting was opened by His Excellency Mr Murasoli
Maran, Minister for Commerce and Industry of the Government
of India. The Deputy Executive Secretary of ESCAP also made
an opening statement.
44. H.E. Mr Maran, in his inaugural address, welcomed all
delegates to the Meeting. He noted that a sustainable development
strategy required appropriate integration of scientific and
technological inputs into development processes. The potential
that space technology, together with bio-technology and information
technology, had for providing appropriate solutions to development
problems, as envisaged in Agenda 21, was now widely recognized,
and though rather late in starting, the countries of the region
had achieved significant progress in terms of capacity development
and investment.
45. H.E. Mr Maran pointed out that by its very nature, space
technology was global and thus required closer cooperation
between countries in the region. He noted that the Asian and
Pacific region had amply demonstrated the possibility of regional
cooperation in space applications through the first Ministerial
Conference on Space Applications for Development in Asia and
the Pacific held in Beijing in 1994 and the subsequent launching
of the Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable
Development. He acknowledged that the pioneering initiative
taken by ESCAP to organize the first Ministerial Conference
had galvanized the efforts in the region to initiate many
meaningful activities in space technology development and
applications.
46. H.E. Mr Maran noted that India was among the first countries
in the region to utilize space technology, and its space programme
had been directed towards realizing the operational applications
of direct relevance to national development. He expressed
India's willingness to share her experience with other countries
in the region. In view of the major challenge of establishing
equitable access to space technology development and applications
so that benefits could be shared by all, H.E. Mr Maran called
on the countries of the region to work together by pooling
their limited resources.
47. H.E. Mr Maran concluded that the Second Ministerial Conference
on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia
and the Pacific, taking place at the onset of the new millennium,
had the major responsibility for defining a new vision for
the region and setting appropriate goals in line with emerging
technologies and increasing demands on limited resources.
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48. The Deputy Executive Secretary of ESCAP expressed her
profound thanks to H.E. Mr Murasoli Maran for inaugurating
the Meeting, and to the Government of India for hosting the
Ministerial Conference and for its active support and involvement
throughout the preparatory process. The Deputy Executive Secretary
also noted that the Conference had been made possible by the
generous assistance of various countries contributed both
in financial terms and in kind, as well as by the efforts
of the members of the Intergovernmental Consultative Committee
and the four regional working groups, who extensively reviewed
the background documents.
49. The Deputy Executive Secretary noted that RESAP had made
a significant impact on the countries of the region in the
field of space applications. It was clear that all participating
countries had achieved impressive progress in building up
their national capacities in this field. While recognizing
that these developments had contributed to making the region
into one of the most dynamic in the area of space technology
applications, the Deputy Executive Secretary noted that the
benefits from the applications of space technology were still
far from being fully reaped in many countries of the region.
50. The Deputy Executive Secretary noted that the emerging
concern was provision of adequate assistance to these countries
in order for them to achieve acceptable levels of economic
growth and to promote their efforts on sustainable development.
She indicated that space technology applications could play
a critical role in national efforts on sustainable development.
The first phase of RESAP had helped to improve coordination
in the development and application of space technology at
both national and regional levels. The Deputy Executive Secretary
noted that the Second Ministerial Conference was expected
to launch the second phase of RESAP, which was expected to
build upon the achievements and experience gained in implementation
of the first phase, further promoting regional cooperation
in space applications. She expressed her best wishes to the
delegates for success in the deliberations, which would provide
the required guidance and direction to the future of RESAP.
51. In his opening remarks, K. Kasturirangan, Secretary,
Department of Space, Government of India, recalled the first
Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Development
in Asia and the Pacific, and noted its importance as a milestone
in the promotion of space technology and its applications
in the region. Five years on, the countries had gathered again
to discuss the ways and means to cooperate further in this
field. He noted that rapid technological developments were
taking place globally, leading to the integrated use of space
and information technologies, and thus the coming years would
increasingly see practical applications of direct relevance
to sustainable development. Mr Kasturirangan pointed out that
the region should take advantage of these emerging trends
and formulate plans to fully exploit the potential in high-priority
application areas such as food security, distance education
and disaster management.
52. As one of the parallel activities of the Ministerial
Conference, the Science Symposium on Space Technology for
Improving the Quality of Life in Developing Countries: A Perspective
for the Next Millennium, was held from 15 to 17 November 1999.
The Symposium was opened by His Excellency Mr Murli Manohar
Joshi, Minister for Human Resources Development and Science
and Technology. Jointly organized by ESCAP and the Indian
Space Research Organization, the Symposium was intended to
serve as a forum for interaction among scientists, academicians,
and policy makers who are involved in policy planning, research
and development applications, and industrial development in
space technology. Several leading specialists from various
fields of space policy, technology and applications attended.
53. Following the opening of the Science Symposium, the Space
'99 Exhibition was opened by the Deputy Executive Secretary.
Held from 15 to 20 November 1999, this technical exhibition
was co-organized by the Indian Space Research Organization
and Exhibitions India, Ltd. Over twenty participants from
all over the world, including Canada, China, France, India,
the Republic of Korea, Spain, Thailand, the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States
of America, representing the leading players in the space
industry, displayed their exhibits on the latest satellite
technologies.
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>B. Attendance
54. The Meeting 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, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal,
Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Sri
Lanka, Thailand, United States of America, and Viet Nam.
55. Representatives of the following United Nations bodies
and specialized agencies also attended: United Nations Office
for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA), United Nations Population
Fund (UNFPA), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO).
56. Representatives of the following intergovernmental organizations
also attended: Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), European
Space Agency (ESA) and Intersputnik International Organization
of Communications (INTERSPUTNIK).
57. Representatives from a number of non-governmental organizations
and other entities attended: International Astronautical Federation
(IAF), Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) and
Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).
58. A number of space planners, scientists, academicians,
and entrepreneurs participating in the ESCAP/ISRO Science
Symposium and the Technical Exhibition Space '99, both held
in conjunction with the Preparatory Meeting of Senior Officials
and the Ministerial Conference, also attended the Meeting
as observers.
C. Election of officers
59. The Meeting elected K. Kasturirangan, Secretary, Department
of Space, India, as Chairperson; Guo Bao-Zhu, Deputy Director-General,
China National Space Administration, China, and Suvit Vibulsresth,
Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science, Technology
and Environment, Thailand, as Vice-Chairpersons; and His Excellency
Mr Mehdi Tabeshian, Deputy Minister for International Affairs,
Ministry of Post, Telegraph and Telephone, Islamic Republic
of Iran, as Rapporteur.
D. Adoption of the agenda
60. The following agenda was adopted by the Meeting:
1. Opening of the Meeting.
2. Election of officers.
3. Adoption of the agenda.
4. Review of the progress of implementation of the Beijing Declaration
on Space Technology Applications for Environmentally Sound and
Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, including the
implementation of the Regional Space Applications Programme
for Sustainable Development, at both national and regional levels.
5. Space technology applications for sustainable development
in Asia and the Pacific: issues, vision, challenges and opportunities.
6. Strategy and action plan on space technology applications
for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific and mechanism
for effective regional cooperation.
7. Review of the draft ministerial declaration on space technology
applications for improved quality of life in the new millennium.
8. Other matters.
9. Adoption of the report.
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E. Other matters
61. The Meeting noted with interest the report of the Symposium
on Space Technology for Improving the Quality of Life in Developing
Countries: A Perspective for the Next Millennium. Nearly 200
participants from 25 countries and six intergovernmental organizations
attended the Symposium. A total of six lead talks and 26 case
study presentations by eminent experts from different countries
focused on five areas: food security; environmental integrity;
disaster management; education, rural development and health
care; and infrastructure for space applications. A panel of
experts and the participants interacted in the discussions
and identified specific actions, required at the regional
and national level, 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.
62. The Meeting also noted that the Space '99 Exhibition
was organized as a side event of the Ministerial Conference.
The Exhibition was inaugurated by the Deputy Executive Secretary
of ESCAP on 15 November. Twenty-one exhibitors from the private
and government sectors from nine countries exhibited their
products and services at the Exhibition. The focus of the
Exhibition was on the achievements and products of direct
relevance to the Asia-Pacific region in this sector. Specific
among the exhibits was 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 GIS value-added services, direct-to-home
technologies, and many other types of equipment and services.
Participants of the Conference and many other experts took
the opportunity to interact with the exhibitors and obtained
detailed information on products and services.
63. The Senior Officials Meeting expressed its deep appreciation
to the Government of India for its generous hosting of the
Meeting and for the excellent arrangements.
F. Adoption of the report
64. The Meeting adopted its report on 17 November 1999.
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STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN ON SPACE TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM
A. Introduction
1. The first Ministerial Conference on Space Applications
for Development in Asia and the Pacific was organized by the
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
at Beijing from 19 to 24 September 1994. The Conference adopted
the Beijing Declaration on Space Technology Applications for
Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Development in Asia
and the Pacific, which endorsed the Strategy for Regional
Cooperation in Space Applications for Sustainable Development
and the Action Plan on Space Applications for Sustainable
Development in Asia and the Pacific. The Conference launched
the Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable
Development (RESAP) to work towards the realization of the
goals set forth in the Strategy and Action Plan.
2. RESAP was implemented by ESCAP through a network comprising:
(a) the Intergovernmental Consultative Committee (ICC); (b)
four regional working groups, one each on remote sensing,
geographic information systems (GIS) and satellite-based positioning,
satellite communication applications, meteorological | 
