VIENNA, 21 JUNE – The 67th session of the Committee for use Pacific Outer Space (COPUOS)hole of United Nations which meets annually to discuss the most current issues, with particular focus onfair, responsible and sustainable use of space.
At the head of the Italian Delegation, the President of the Italian Space Agency (ASI)Prof. Theodore Valens confirmed Italy’s commitment to promoting responsible use in space and the country’s strong interest in space exploration activities and the development of new technologies. ”Italy is actively engaged as Space Ambassador” Valente then declared, valorizing the network of bilateral and multilateral collaborations promoted by ASI, in particular with emerging and developing countries.
Also speaking at the opening of the session was the Permanent Representative of Italy to the international organizations in Vienna, Ambassador Debora Lepre, underlined the importance of international cooperation and recalled the focus G7 under the Italian presidency ensured at COPUOS, as well as the development of standards on spatial sustainability. In this regard he evoked thethe organization by the Italian side of the first Italian-African meeting of the heads of the space agencies, in July.
The Italian delegation actively contributed to the debate, which will continue until June 28, addressing highly topical issues such as the contribution of space technologies in climate change management, the latest space exploration activities and the maintenance of outer space for peaceful purposes. ASI also promotes two technical presentations to illustrate the Italian contribution to lunar exploration and the benefits of space applications in the management of water resources.
To give further visibility to the Italian presence at COPUOS, the exhibition was set up “THE ITALIAN SPACEWAY”, made up of interactive panels that tell the contribution of Italian research and Made in Italy to the development of space technologies. Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Organizing Committee IAC 2024 Milan and the Focus magazine, the exhibition is divided into thematic sections and pays particular attention to sustainability and the importance of space technologies in managing the planet’s resources.
In collaboration with ASI and with the International Astronautical Federation, the Permanent Representation finally organized a side-event entitled “Towers ICA 2024, Milan”. Opened by President Valente, the event provided the opportunity to present the 75th edition of the COPUOS to a large and qualified audience, including numerous Heads of Delegation accredited to COPUOS. International Astronautical Congress (the most important international space event) which will be held this year in Milan in the month of October. Also speaking at the side event were Ambassador Debora Lepre and the top leaders of UNOOSA, with Director Aarti Holla-Maini, and the International Astronautical Federation, with Executive Director Christian Feichtinger, enhancing Italy’s role in promoting peaceful use and sustainable space.
To enrich the event, a concert in homage to the composer Giacomo Puccini, on the 100th anniversary of his death, thus allowing us to celebrate not only the Italian contribution in the space sector but also the excellence of our country’s musical tradition.
