The World Space Forum Series

Introduction

As of today, close to 80 UN Member States have established space agencies and in 2020, the space community launched a record number of satellites, surpassing the 1,000 threshold for the first time ever - breaking the previous high set in 2019. Research shows that around 40% of the 169 targets behind the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) benefit from the use of geo-location and earth observation satellites. With the inclusion of telecommunication satellites, this statistic rises substantially. Today, innovative space-based science and technology are accelerating achievement of SDGs in many parts of the world.

The United Nations aims to leverage innovative solutions and technological developments to realise common sustainable development goals, and attention is increasingly placed on the unique potential of space technologies in this endeavour. It is therefore important to build on the outcomes of UNISPACE+50 and take advantage of the momentum it generated to ensure that the current exchanges fully capture the political, legal and capacity building elements of international cooperation in space exploration.

Uniqueness

Launched in November 2019, the WORLD SPACE FORUM is a new event series hosted by the United Nations that is built on the recommendations generated at three High-Level Fora held from 2016 to 2018. The sequence of Fora demonstrated the growing interest of an increasing number of actors in discussing the future of space and international cooperation along the pillars of space economy, space society, space accessibility and space diplomacy. Going forward, the World Space Forum will take the place of the High-Level Forum.

As the only Office in the United Nations system that deals exclusively with the peaceful uses of outer space, UNOOSA is in a unique position to bring together all relevant stakeholders to make a difference and to ensure that the benefits of space are available to the broadest possible user base, in all countries around the world.

As we look ahead to the future and welcome more actors to the space arena, international cooperation for a sustainable space environment is essential. Together with its partners, the United Nations stands ready to facilitate productive and impactful international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.

The WORLD SPACE FORUM brings together experts and policymakers from regional, national and local institutions, private organizations, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and international organizations, who exchange views on the four pillars of space economy, space society, space accessibility and space diplomacy.

Objectives

As we embark on the Decade of Action to deliver global goals, space agencies all over the world continue to achieve remarkable ends in pursuit of the SDGs. UNOOSA, as the gateway to space in the United Nations, is well placed to bring this range of global activity into one place to encourage the coordinated direction needed to maximise the impact of such efforts:

Position the UN as a unique forum for Space Actors to collectively shape the future
Raise awareness of space activities and space tools for the achievements of the global agendas
Present new space technologies that are enabling progress and driving cooperation and partnership in Outer Space
Exchange on the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of outer space activities
Discuss global governance of outer space activities and its contribution towards the future of space
Bring together space actors to exchange best practices and explore ways to collectively address challenges to humanity and sustainable development issues to launch a:

'World Space Forum Action Report'

♦ Space solutions to secure broader inclusion of space solutions and generate more space resources for the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals ♦

♦ Global action for space safety and sustainability ♦

♦ Partnership action to jointly develop solutions to overcome the growing "space divide" ♦

Current Forum

The Austria/United Nations World Space Forum 'Space 4 Climate Action' will take place between 6 and 9 December 2021 in Vienna, Austria. This event will be hosted by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology (BMK) and the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs (BMEIA) on behalf of the Government of Austria.

Click here for more details.

Past Forums

World Space Forum 2020

The United Nations/United Arab Emirates Forum focused on 'Space for our Future' on maximizing the efforts in ensuring that the benefits of space are brought to everyone, everywhere.

The 2020 edition sought to facilitate the exchange of best practices and more inter-agency collaboration in support of the SDGs so that space assets, exploration and utilization finally become more universally used as one of the key tools for a better future.

World Space Forum 2019

The United Nations/Austria World Space Forum 2019 focused on 'Access to Space4All' to leverage space technologies to their full potential to achieve sustainable economic and social development globally.

The 2019 edition provided an opportunity for representatives of the collective space community to address international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space activities across the four pillars of UNISPACE+50 (space economy, space society, space accessibility and space diplomacy) and concluded with specific observations and recommendations which can be found in the report. These outcomes, inter alia, represent a valuable opportunity to elevate space as an important pillar of the global agenda.

Report of the Workshop

A/AC.105/1219

High Level Forums

Preceding the World Space Forum, three High Level Forums (HLFs) were organized to debate and collect recommendations that shaped and positioned space activities as drivers for innovation, socio-economic development and diplomacy for a sustainable future. Going forward the World Space Forum has replaced the High-Level Forum. The HLFs were organized annually from 2016 to 2018, with a preparatory meeting organized in 2015.

Working Language

The working language of the WSF is English.

Contact Information

For information regarding the submission of nominations for attendance and funding as well as the programme and sponsorship of the Forum please contact:

UNOOSA - World Space Forum Organizing Team

E-Mail: worldspaceforum[at]un.org

United NationsOffice for Outer Space Affairs