UNITED NATIONS, Oct 11: Gathered at a United Nations conference in Bangkok, countries from the Asia-Pacific region pledged to work together to leverage the power of space technology and boost sustainable development.
Adopting a ministerial declaration on Wednesday, countries also agreed to enhance resilience and mitigate disaster risk, through a regional action plan, making Asia-Pacific the first region ever to adopt a coordinated approach to using space technology and geospatial information services, in the service of development, United Nations news reported.
Hongjoo Hahm, the acting head of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), highlighted that the declaration reaffirms countries’ commitment to the key role of space technology for a sustainable future.
“Our region has the potential to achieve a developmental transformation that will serve as a global model on the cooperative use of innovative technologies for the common good of humankind,” he said.
Our region has the potential to achieve a developmental transformation that will serve as a global model on the cooperative use of innovative technologies for the common good of humankind ? Hongjoo Hahm, acting head of ESCAP
The 21-point ministerial declaration also includes a specific call on Governments to promote women’s participation in science and technology education, in addition to the space and development pledges.
Countries also urged the UN to promote regional cooperation and support sharing of good practices as well as assist with the development of national polices relating to the aims of the declaration.
Also endorsed on Wednesday, the Asia-Pacific Plan of Action on Space Applications for Sustainable Development (2018-2030) will help countries harness space applications and digital innovations to strengthen the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Plan of Action was formulated through a comprehensive and inclusive consultation process driven by country needs, according to ESCAP.
It focuses on six key sectoral areas, including disaster risk management; natural resource management, connectivity, social development, energy, and climate change, and will be implemented through research and knowledge-sharing, capacity-building and technical support; and intergovernmental processes.
(UNI)
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