The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Government of the United Kingdom are strengthening their partnership with a new project to bolster space sustainability.
Efforts will focus on raising awareness and building capacity related to the implementation of the Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities.
The project, which started in 2021, is now in its third phase. With funding support provided by the United Kingdom, UNOOSA will create an open access e-learning tool to help facilitate and improve understanding about the Guidelines, adopted by the Committee on the Peaceful uses of Outer Space, as well as improve their implementation. A series of virtual events will also be held to connect diverse stakeholders and promote international cooperation and capacity-building on safe and sustainable space operations.
Through the Guidelines, Member States of the United Nations have agreed on the importance of maintaining safe and sustainable conduct of space activities indefinitely into the future. Activities should be conducted to ensure equitable access to the benefits of the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes by present generations while preserving the outer space environment for future generations.
Acting Director of UNOOSA, Niklas Hedman, said: “The benefits of space technology are invaluable for our daily lives and sustainable development at large. We must jointly ensure that the steps we take today bring prosperity to both current and future generations. Partnering with the UK Government has been instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of sustainable space activities, and we are thrilled to advance these efforts together.”
UK Minister for Science, Research and Innovation George Freeman said: “The exciting growth in the space and satellite sector is driving an increasingly urgent need to tackle the growing problem of debris, and to demonstrate our commitment to wider space sustainability. Just as the expansion in shipping, rail and the motor car industry required international standards in previous centuries, often headquartered here in London, so too does Space. The UK is deeply committed to the clean space mission, and leading global partnerships in setting sustainable Space standards. That is why I announced earlier this year our plan to amend the UK Space regulations to start to create an industry kite mark for sustainable space, with improved licensing & insurance terms. We need to reward best practice and harness the market to drive up international standards in Space sustainability.”
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “Humanity relies on the benefits of space to keep us safe, connected, and able to tackle the climate emergency. Supporting the development and delivery of tools that raise awareness of the Long-Term Sustainability Guidelines is an important step in championing space sustainability. We are proud to be working with UNOOSA on this initiative to advance knowledge-sharing with other countries and helping to develop capabilities in nations that are starting out on their journey to space.”
More information about the project is available at: https://spacesustainability.unoosa.org/
For more information, please contact:
Martin Stasko
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Email: martin.stasko[at]un.org
