UN Germany High Level Forum 'The Way Forward after UNISPACE+50 and on Space2030' in Bonn

"Aerospace activities require strong collaboration between governments, space agencies, international organisations and private stakeholders," emphasised Thomas Jarzombek (Member of Parliament), Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace Policy, in his opening address. "Only if we work together will it be possible to unleash the full potential of space sciences and technology, in order to achieve our global development goals and ensure the sustainable use of space."

Representatives from government, administration, industry and civil society attended the high-level gathering to discuss the resolutions of the UNISPACE+50 Conference, which took place in Vienna in June 2018. The event focused on how space applications can contribute to achieving the UN sustainability targets enshrined in the Space2030 Agenda, as well as on the issue of space law, which mainly addressed the preservation of existing agreements. The more than 70 talks and presentations addressed issues such as exploration, the prevention and monitoring of space debris and environmental monitoring from space.

"Designing the Space2030 Agenda is extremely important to achieve the best possible and most effective use of space technologies and applications in the interest of sustainable development," said Pascale Ehrenfreund, Chair of the DLR Executive Board. "Science, technology and innovation are key components of the Agenda and it is important to link them more closely with development cooperation and the private sector and thus better integrate space activities into national development plans."

Greetings from Alexander Gerst

A special kind of video message was beamed down to the participants from space. "Hello from the International Space Station," said the German ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst, welcoming the conference guests. "It is a delight to see you all gathered in Bonn to share a common vision for aerospace and to set the course for the Space2030 Agenda." Alexander Gerst reminded the attendees that the unique research platform ISS would never have been possible without international cooperation. "The direction in which space exploration will proceed in years to come rests in your hands, which is an immense responsibility – as it requires a visionary spirit and the ability to see far beyond the limits of our current horizon," continued Gerst.

Long-term support for the UN SPIDER Office in Bonn

There was good news from the area of international cooperation in the area of disaster relief: "I am delighted to inform you that DLR will be able to support the UN SPIDER Office in Bonn through its next phase of implementation thanks to its close cooperation with the University of Bonn," explained Walther Pelzer, DLR Executive Board Member responsible for the Space Administration. The UN SPIDER Programme (United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response) was established as a UNOOSA programme by the General Assembly of the United Nations 2006. It ensures that all countries have access to space-based information and are able to contribute to its expansion, in order to strengthen the entire disaster management process. BMWi and DLR, through its Space Research and Technology area, have been contributing human and financial resources to UN SPIDER for the last 10 years.

Knowledge transfer to developing and emerging nations with DLR_School_Labs

There was also a novelty to report from the DLR_School_Labs in the area of 'Capacity building'. Aerospace has great potential to fascinate and inspire young people. The Education Department at DLR will therefore cooperate with UNOOSA to organise a one-week workshop for teaching staff from various countries, mainly in developing and emerging nations. This will also involve visits to a number of DLR_School_Labs and some joint workshops.