Newswise — Important strides are being taken in shaping a Latin American national space policy, one that unifies various space efforts throughout the region.
A recent seminar has called attention to progress in Latin America toward developing national space policies, noting the increasing use of space applications, such as Earth remote sensing to help ameliorate the devastating impacts of natural disasters.
The special seminar, Steps Toward a Space Policy for Colombia, was held April 28-29 at the Sergio Arboleda University Auditorium in Bogota, Colombia.
Last month’s seminal gathering of officials was organized by Secure World Foundation, the Sergio Arboleda University, its School of Law and Astronomical Observatory, and the Research Group CREAR.
The seminar is being viewed as a major step toward establishing a Colombian space policy, as well as an additional impetus toward coordinated policies for the use of space throughout Latin America.
“This conference was a major step toward the creation of a space policy for Colombia and harmonized Latin American space policies,” said Ray Williamson, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation (SWF).
Key principles under discussion
“The progress made in Colombia on the peaceful applications of the space and satellite technologies and the creation of the Colombian Space Commission and the National Agency for the Spectrum is outstanding,” said Ambassador Ciro Arévalo-Yepes, Chairman of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and a seminar participant.
“The committed support by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in particular the Minister, Dr. Jaime Bermudez, has been instrumental in developing international space cooperation for the country,” Arévalo-Yepes said. The UN COPUOS is contributing to Colombia’s space initiatives, he added, with cooperative programs in several areas, such as disaster management, Global Positioning System satellites, education and training in space law and related policy aspects.
Meeting participants discussed several major principles for a sound space policy, with several measures on the table for consideration by emerging space countries, such as:
-- Ratifying the 1967 Treaty on Outer Space and later international agreements-- Incorporating treaty provisions in State law, regulations-- Taking active part in the United Nation’s Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and its subcommittees-- Contributing constructively to other international space-related organizations-- Taking an active role in assuring the long term sustainability of outer space-- Adhering to orbital debris guidelines-- Becoming an active participant in international technical committees focused on sustainability
Regional space policy
Some 40 Colombians and other authorities from across the region attended the meeting, including deputies of various Colombian agencies involved in space activities.
The recently held Colombian space policy seminar built upon a November 2009 gathering of experts convened by Secure World Foundation and the Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (CRECTEALC).
“The space law seminar had as a main objective bringing together key members of the public administration, State, political establishment, university and industry to give a definitive boost to the space issue in Colombia,” explained Camilo Guzman Gomez, Director of Research Group CREAR and public law Department at the Universidad Sergio Arboleda.
“The progress made in recent years in the country must continue and move toward the creation of a comprehensive policy on space activities. At the same time, the development of activities in a domestic level must necessarily be done in parallel with international cooperation and the creation of regional projects,” Gomez said. “The positive development that occurs in various Latin American on outer space is favorable to a national and international movement to make Colombia and Latin America major players in space.”
Second conference
The recently held conference was the second space policy event in Latin America in which Secure World Foundation played a significant role, said Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, SWF’s Space Policy Consultant in Vienna.
“The Foundation believes it is necessary for the countries in the region to develop national space policies compatible with the international treaties, which should eventually lead to a regional space policy,” Lukaszczyk added. “The Latin American region has already benefited greatly from space applications, especially in regards to disaster management and Earth observation. We believe, however, that space technologies can be utilized even more if regional cooperation increases and appropriate policies are put in place.”
For more information regarding the Steps Toward a Space Policy for Colombia seminar, please contact:
Ray Williamson, Executive DirectorSecure World Foundation314 W. Charles St.Superior, CO 81321
Phone: 303-554-1560 Cell Phone: 303-501-0430Email: [email protected]
Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, SWF Space Policy Consultant c/o European Space Policy InstituteSchwarzenbergplatz 6A-1030 Vienna
Phone: +43 1 718 11 18 35Cell Phone: +43 699 11 59 81 71Email: [email protected]
About Secure World Foundation
Secure World Foundation (SWF) is headquartered in Superior, Colorado, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Vienna, Austria. SWF is a private operating foundation dedicated to the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples.
SWF engages with academics, policy makers, scientists and advocates in the space and international affairs communities to support steps that strengthen global space security. It promotes the development of cooperative and effective use of space for the protection of Earth’s environment and human security.
The Foundation acts as a research body, convener and facilitator to advocate for key space security and other space related topics and to examine their influence on governance and international development.
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