The United Nations Office Of Outer Space (UNOOSA) will on September 23 2019, host a conference with support from the United Nations 74th General Assembly and the governments of Italy, the United States and Zambia.

The event tagged: “Bringing the benefits of space to everyone, everywhere: the UN and the Private Sector,” is targeted to showcase how the UN is building an exciting partnership with the private space sector to bring the benefits of space to everyone, everywhere. 

Last year, the international community celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first UN Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Today, after 50 years of the UN system supporting new approaches to civil and commercial space activities, space continues to be the example of how far humanity can go when we go together. As the UN, through the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), adapts to this rapidly evolving sector, partnership with the private space sector is playing an increasingly important role as we work together to bring the benefits of space to everyone, everywhere.

Global space private sector is rapidly evolving, with large cooporates and newspace companies playing significant roles in the research, creation, advancement;  commercialisation and provision of space-enabled products and services to millions of people all over the world. The 2018 Bryce report on the global space economy estimated its value to be over USD 360 billion, out of which USD 80.7 billion are government budget, with the United States government contributing USD 50.1 billion. African States’ governments pitch in less than USD 1 billion. According to Morgan Stanley Research, the value of the global space industry is expected to be over USD 1 trillion by 2040. It is, therefore, safe to say that the private sector-led commercial space activities constitute over 70% of the global space economy.

In view of this massive impact, the UN through its space-focused arm, UNOOSA, supports new approaches to the civil and commercial use of outer space , and seeks, in collaboration with partner groups, to underscore the achievements made since the dawn of the space age and, with the future in consideration, how the UN is uniquely positioned to work with the global space industry, especially the private sector, for the benefit of all humankind.

To be held during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) 2019 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the conference is in line with the UN’s mandate to explore the peaceful use of outer space. 

In 1964, Zambian schoolteacher, Edward Makuka Nkoloso, launched what could have been Zambia’s first space programme. However, the programme failed as a result of lack of funds. In partnering with UNOOSAT, Zambia reaffirms its interest in the development of space science and space-related activities in Africa and globally.

The event is public and open to all. Click here to register for the event.