The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) has signed agreements with both the Government of Italy and the Italian Space Agency (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana – ASI), for increased cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
A Framework Agreement between UNOOSA and the Government of Italy for cooperation in space science and technology was signed by UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo and the Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations in Vienna, Ambassador Maria Assunta Accili. The Framework Agreement facilitates a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for increased cooperation between UNOOSA and ASI, which was signed by UNOOSA Director Di Pippo and ASI President Roberto Battiston.
Under their MOU, UNOOSA and ASI have agreed to focus on cooperation in the fields of space science and exploration such as satellite navigation, satellite communication, space education, earth observation and natural disaster management, as well as the organization of conferences, seminars and workshops in these areas. UNOOSA and ASI will also work towards promoting and coordinating regional cooperation on these topics.
“I am pleased to welcome the Government of Italy and ASI into a formalised partnership with UNOOSA. Italy and ASI have demonstrated expertise in space science and technology; our cooperation will allow Italy to share this expertise with UNOOSA and our goal of bringing the benefits of space to all humankind, in particular the use of space as a tool for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. My team and I are looking forward to working more closely with Italy,” said UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo.
“This is an extremely significant achievement, which confirms the commitment of the Italian Government to advancing its already excellent cooperation with the United Nations in the space sector, with a view to the historic milestone of UNISPACE+50 and beyond,” the Permanent Representative of Italy, Ambassador Maria Assunta Accili said.
“ASI has been highly committed with the UN through the work of COPUOS since the 90s. It regularly supports the Italian Government in space strategies and policies, in particular with international space organizations. The signature of these two agreements marks a major success for us as it recognizes the activities already carried out under the framework of COPUOS and opens a new era in the relations between Italy and United Nations in the space sector and between ASI and UNOOSA,” said ASI President Roberto Battiston.
Both signings took place on 20 November, during the United Nations/Italy Workshop on the Open Universe Initiative, being held at the Vienna International Centre from 20 to 22 November. The Initiative aims to promote open and transparent access to space science data for use by all. It is the first concrete application of increased cooperation between UNOOSA and Italy under the framework of these agreements.
Upon entry into force, the Framework Agreement and the MOU will remain in effect indefinitely.
