Ibadan, 28 August 2024. – The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) this autumn. This agreement reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to promote international collaboration in space science and strengthen their respective global impacts.
In July 2024, COSPAR President Prof. Pascale Ehrenfreund and COSPAR General Counsel Mr. Niklas Hedman met with Ms. Aisha Jagirani, the APSCO Director General of External Relations and Legal Affairs Department, who represented APSCO Secretary-General at the APSCO headquarters in Beijing, China
The partnership is rooted in the organizations’ mutual dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and their active roles as observers in the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). As a result, both COSPAR and APSCO share a vision of fostering cooperation in space science and facilitating dialogue among global space stakeholders.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to jointly organize international events on interdisciplinary space topics, collaborate on education and training initiatives, particularly the “Train the Trainers” program and enhance capacity building and small satellite development. Additionally, they plan to explore cooperation in planetary protection, ionospheric research, space debris monitoring, and mitigation, with COSPAR also engaging with the APSCO Space Law Alliance.
In expressing the shared enthusiasm for this partnership, Prof. Ehrenfreund commented, “We look forward to embarking on this new journey of cooperation with APSCO. By combining our strengths, aligned goals, and shared vision, we will progress space science and technology advancements for the greater good.”
Both parties will consequently sign the MoU in the coming months and have a second meeting in the autumn to move forward with the plans for cooperation. COSPAR will also be present at the APSCO/UOS/AUASS International Symposium, 5-7 November 2024, Sharjah, UAE.
