Space Science and Technology Applications
[SSTA]

Terms of Reference

I. INTRODUCTION

1. The Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Development in Asia and the Pacific, held at Beijing during 19-24 September 1994, after detailed deliberations on various issues relating to promoting and enhancing the use of space technology applications, launched a Regional Space Applications Programme on Sustainable Development (RESAP) through the Beijing Declaration and the adoption of a Strategy for Regional Cooperation in Space Applications for Sustainable Development and an Action Plan on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific. The Ministerial Conference recommended the constitution of Regional Working Groups to promote regional cooperation in different themes of space technology applications for sustainable development in the region.
   
   
2. In pursuance of the recommendation of the Ministerial Conference and the Regional Strategy and Action Plan, the Regional Working Group on Space Sciences and Technology Applications is hereby constituted as a regional cooperative network under RESAP with heads of national centres/programme in space sciences and technology applications for members and associates members. The Regional Working Group comes into existence on 30 April 1996 with the present terms of reference and the following initial participating members: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam.

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3. The Regional Working Group on Space Sciences and Technology Applications shall have the major objective of developing a self-sustaining mechanism for promoting regional cooperation on space sciences and technology applications for sustainable development. The Regional Working Group shall also provide a forum for promoting technology transfer and exchange of information and experience among participating countries through sharing of information, implementing cooperative projects, and participating in workshops, seminars and training programmes. The Regional Working Group on Space Sciences and Technology Applications shall have, among others, the following functions: 
    
   1. Review the status and capability in the area of space sciences and technology in the region, with special emphasis on Earth-oriented space sciences and technology development and their applications; 
   2. Facilitate the exchange of information on national policy, programmes and planning of space sciences and technology development as well as their applications; 
   3. Promote the development of small satellites, scientific payloads/experiments and ground-based experiments on geosphere-biosphere and atmosphere for applications to sustainable development; 
   4. Promote cooperation in developing inexpensive satellite-based positioning systems, data collection platforms, Earth observation systems, and inexpensive ground stations; 
   5. Recommend mechanisms to involve government agencies, industries, universities and the private sector in promoting space sciences and technology development as well as their applications; 
   6. Suggest ways and means for enhancing and sustaining regional cooperation in space sciences and technology applications. 

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4. All members and associate members of ESCAP shall be eligible to be members of the Regional Working Group by participating in its annual meeting.
   
   
5. Heads of national agencies coordinating space sciences and technology applications on their designated representatives shall be nominated as national contact points of the Regional Working Group and shall participate in its annual meetings. The national contact point of the Regional Working Group shall act with general coordination of the national focal point for RESAP.
   
   
6. The Regional Working Group shall meet at least once a year to discuss common problems and develop cooperative programmes. The agenda may include the following items:

1. Exchange information;
2. Review activities and programmes of work;
3. Formulate collaborative projects;
4. Propose its funding mechanism and solicit funds for implementing projects;
5. Propose its annual work plan and monitor the implementation.

7. Regional Working Group shall decide a coordination office located in a national agency/centre for space sciences and technology applications in the region and appoint a coordinator, who will be the nodal point for information flow to and from the Regional Working Group. The term for hosting the coordinating office will be two years. It may be extended for one more term only if so decided by the Working Group.
   
   
8. United Nations bodies and specialized agencies, representatives of other countries or organizations (NGOs, research institutions, universities) and experts in the field of interest, as the Regional Working Group may deem appropriate, may be invited to participate in its annual meetings in a consultative capacity.

9. The ESCAP secretariat, through its Space Technology Applications Section of the Information, Communication and Space Technology Division, shall:

1. Assist the coordinator in soliciting the nomination of members from participating countries;
   
2. Assist the Regional Working Group in organizing meetings, seminars and training;
   
3. Cooperate with the coordinator of the Regional Working Group and provide assistance in follow-up and realization of its recommendations;
   
4. Assist in project formulation, fund raising and implementation;
   
5. Facilitate information exchange through newsletters and reports;
   
6. Provide professional advice and input;
   
7. Provide a clearing house for information flow and interaction between members and the coordinator of the Regional Working Group.

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10. Regional members or associate members, who possess centres of excellence in the field of space sciences and technology applications may offer to host the coordination office of the Regional Working Group. The host country, as the nodal point of the Regional Working Group, shall:

1. Host the coordination office of the Regional Working Group by providing necessary office facilities and operational support;
   
2. Designate, at its own cost, a coordinator and assist him/her in discharging his/her coordinating functions;
   
3. Interface with ESCAP for technical support and programme implementation, as well as information exchange matters;
   
4. Initiate such activities as exchange of personnel, training, consultancy and technical visits, as requested by members of the Regional Working Group, utilizing technical cooperation among developing countries (TCDC) and other mechanisms available at the ESCAP secretariat;
   
5. Provide coordination in association with ESCAP for conducting regional seminars/conferences and cooperative projects;
   
6. Facilitate appropriate coordination with ESCAP on correspondence related to definition of substantive activities, budget estimation for external funding for programme support of those activities and exchange of letters for TCDC activities.

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V. RELATION WITH THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON REGIONAL SPACE APPLICATIONS PROGRAMME 

11. The Regional Working Group shall report its work to the Intergovernmental Consultative Committee on Regional Space Applications Programme for Sustainable Development (ICC on RESAP), which functions under the purview of the Committee on Managing Globalization. The coordinator of the Regional Working Group shall attend and present the Regional Working Group report at the annual session of the ICC.

VI. GENERAL PROVISIONS

12. Any member of the Regional Working Group may propose an amendment to the terms of reference, and the same shall enter into force, if approved by a consensus of the members in attendance.