Djibouti Joins United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
Djibouti has become the latest African nation to join the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) following the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Established in 1959, COPUOS serves as the primary United Nations committee overseeing outer space’s peaceful exploration and use, focusing on space security, international cooperation, and promoting space research programmes.
Africa now has 22 nations represented on COPUOS. African countries within COPUOS actively engage in international space policy discussions and contribute to the committee’s objectives of promoting sustainable space exploration and governance. During the latest UNGA session, COPUOS focused on critical questions concerning present and future space activities, approving two significant resolutions: the annual “Omnibus Resolution” on International Cooperation on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and the declaration of 2029 as the “International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defense.”
The omnibus resolution, passed yearly by the UN General Assembly, is a formal acknowledgement and endorsement of COPUOS’s annual report, supported by all 193 UN Member States. This year’s resolution encouraged continued discussion on hosting UNISPACE IV, a significant space conference proposed for 2027 in Vienna. Such discussions will continue at the upcoming COPUOS Scientific and Technical Subcommittee meeting in February 2025, where global stakeholders will outline the next steps for international space cooperation.
Djibouti’s Growing Commitment to Space and Climate Initiatives
Djibouti’s recent COPUOS membership complements its strides toward becoming a regional leader in climate risk management and space applications for environmental monitoring. In September 2024, Djibouti joined the Space Climate Observatory (SCO) Charter, formalising its dedication to using space-based data to address climate risks. The SCO is a collaborative international initiative to improve climate risk understanding and management by integrating satellite data with ground observations.
Strategic Partnerships to Enhance Djibouti’s Space Capabilities
Djibouti has taken substantial steps to partner with international entities to support its space goals. These partnerships aim to strengthen Djibouti’s ability to integrate space technology across critical sectors, such as climate monitoring, resource management, and scientific research. One notable collaboration involves France, which is focused on advancing climate research for tropical ecosystems in East Africa. As part of this collaboration, Djibouti is working to formalise a five-year partnership with CNES and other French institutions to expand its technical and operational capacities in space.
These international collaborations are positioning Djibouti to develop local expertise, enabling the country to utilise satellite data in critical sectors like environmental management and infrastructure planning. In addition, these efforts signal Djibouti’s strategic approach to establishing itself as a centre of space-based solutions within the Horn of Africa.
Milestones in Djibouti’s Space Sector: From a Spaceport to Satellite Launches
In 2023, Djibouti marked a series of achievements that positioned it as a prominent player in Africa’s evolving space landscape. Early in the year, the Djiboutian government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group Limited and Touchroad International Holdings Group to develop an international commercial spaceport. Located in the northern Obock Region, the spaceport project is valued at approximately USD 1 billion and is expected to support satellite launches and other space activities. Once operational, the spaceport will enhance Djibouti’s space access and serve as a regional launch facility, boosting local economic growth and supporting Djibouti’s ambition to become a space-faring nation.
In November 2023, Djibouti launched its first satellite, Djibouti-1A. The satellite was developed by collaborating with Djibouti and the Centre Spatial Universitaire de Montpellier (CSUM) in France. In addition, the project provided hands-on experience for Djiboutian engineers and technicians, who travelled to France to participate in the satellite’s design, construction, and testing phases. Similarly, this milestone highlights Djibouti’s dedication to developing technical expertise in satellite technology, laying a foundation for more advanced space initiatives.
Preparing for the Launch of Djibouti’s Second Satellite: Djibouti-1B
Building on the success of Djibouti-1A, the nation is preparing to launch its second nanosatellite, Djibouti-1B. This satellite is part of “Project Hydrosat,” an initiative involving a partnership between RIDE Space, the Djibouti Ministry of Higher Education and Research, and the Centre Spatial Universitaire de Montpellier (CSUM). Djibouti-1B will be integrated into Momentus’s Vigoride vehicle, aiming for launch later this year or in early 2025.
Project Hydrosat has also provided educational opportunities, offering ten African students a chance to participate in the development of the satellite. Furthermore, the project aims to enhance the skills of young scientists and engineers from Africa, fostering a new generation of space experts across the continent. In addition, as with Djibouti-1A, Djibouti-1B will contribute to the country’s climate and environmental monitoring capabilities by supporting data collection needs for Djibouti’s Center for Study and Research (CERD). Specifically, the satellite will transmit data from meteorological stations back to the Missions Control Center in Djibouti, assisting CERD in tracking changes in water resources and aiding in sustainable water management.