Utilizing Space Technologies to Further the UN Sustainable Development Goals
This session seeks to raise awareness amongst the the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) of the desire of many of the UN Member States to access and utilize space technologies in their territories in order to improve the quality of life for their citizens. The session hopes to humbly impress upon the UNGA that placing an increased strategic importance on these unique technological tools can enable the international community to benefit from the opportunities those technologies offer and ultimately assist in advancing the implementation of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reaching the objectives of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda).
The exploration and utilization of outer space is being contemporaneously undertaken at an avid pace. This is resulting in a rapidly growing inter-dependent relationship between life on and beyond Earth created by the more frequent use of satellite systems that increasingly provide mechanism to better life on Earth. With improved living conditions on Earth, the possibilities for peace and security become more realizable for more people.
The 2030 Agenda adopted by the UNGA in 2015 provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 SDGs, which are an urgent call for action by all countries in global partnership. The 17 SDGs recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
During the session, space agencies leaders will share the importance of pursuing satellites and their utilization for the benefit of their countries and regions. We will also hear from: local practitioners who are already successfully utilizing space technologies in their communities; young professionals who have built and rely on these technologies to develop their personal, academic and professional lives; and from leaders of public and private sectors who create capacity building opportunities for States to access these technologies under the principles of the Space for All organized by United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs.
This session responds to recent calls to civil society from the UNGA and the UN Economic and Social Commission to help identify and propose practical and generally applicable solutions to challenges posed to communities around the world.
Expected Outcomes:
- To impress upon the UNGA that placing an increased strategic importance on space technologies for on-Earth benefit can assist in the implementation of the 17 SDGs and ultimately in achieving the UN’s 2030 Agenda.
- To increase awareness amongst the UNGA of the desire of UN Member States and local communities to access space technologies in their territories in order to improve the quality of life for their citizens and for those in their region.
- To shed greater awareness of the desire of young professionals to utilize space technologies for their personal, academic and professional careers.
- To garner increased support for the instrumental work of individuals, States, private entities and non-governmental organizations to complement the dedicated Space for All efforts organized by the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs.
- To broaden dialogue between emerging space-faring States and private and public actors for capacity building and international collaboration in the use of space technologies, which can foster greater opportunities for peace and security.