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The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Bulelani Magwanishe has arrived in Vienna, Austria where he will deliver a country statement at the UNISPACE+50 High-level Segment of the 61st session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). This is where the international community is gathering to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

Deputy Minister Magwanishe is leading a South African delegation that comprises officials from the Departments of Trade and Industry (the dti), International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Science and Technology, and Telecommunications and Postal Services, South African Council for Space Affairs and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) to the UNISPACE+50 celebrations and COPUOS. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Trade and Industry, Ms Joanmariae Fubbs is also in attendance.

“South Africa’s participation in these celebrations re-affirms our commitment in the crafting of the future of space governance that enables space-derived economic and social benefits through the Space 2030 Agenda. We gather here at a critical time when the international community has commenced with the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. South Africa is fully committed to this effort, particularly in building partnerships and strengthening international cooperation in space activities and making sure that our people benefit from space technologies,” says Magwanishe.

With the aim of promoting her programmes and activities, South Africa is showcasing her capabilities in Space Science, Space Engineering, Space operations, Earth Observations and Space regulations amongst other at the UNISPACE+50 Exhibition from 18-23 June 2018.
 
The goal for the UNISPACE+50 is for UNCOPUOS to recognise the achievement over the past 50 years and to endorse a resolution that will be submitted to the General assembly later in the year. It is also to further build, together with all stakeholders, a comprehensive Space 2030 Agenda for the contribution of space activities to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, addressing overarching, long-term development concerns, and based on the peaceful exploration and uses of outer space.

Issued by Department of Trade and Industry