Policy and Law

The Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology (HRST) at the African Union Commission, Professor Sarah Anayang Agbor, has held bilateral talks with the French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Frédérique Vidal, on enhancing cooperation on space, education, science and technology between France and the African Union Commission.

President Emmanuel Macron paid state visits to Ethiopia on 13 March 2019 and Kenya on 14 March 2019. Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES) President Jean-Yves Le Gall was part of the delegation, reflecting the development of space cooperation between France and Africa supported by the agency, notably in the fields of applications and new technologies.

By Dr. Bleddyn Bowen SpaceWatch.Global is delighted to welcome Bleddyn Bowen as its latest columnist. Bleddyn will be contributing his column every quarter.

In the presence of France’s Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Lindiwe Sisulu, Jean-Pascal Le Franc, Centre national d'etudes spatiales (CNES) Director of Planning, International Relations, and Quality, and Valanathan Munsami, CEO of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), signed an agreement outlining future space cooperation between France and South Africa on 28 February 2019 in Pretoria.

France and Australia held ministerial-level meetings on science and innovation in Canberra, Australia, on 27-28 February 2019.

By Nandini Sarma - In many parts of the world, space technology is being used to improve people’s lives. Apart from their uses for everyday services like weather forecasting, long-distance communications, and GPS systems, the manifold applications of space technology assist in many other ways.

The UAE Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has adopted the National Space Strategy 2030 during its meeting at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.

Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES) President Jean-Yves Le Gall and Dr. K. Sivan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), signed an agreement on 6 March 2019 in Bengaluru to implement the short-term plan for the French-Indian programme to develop a maritime surveillance system. This signature follows on from the broader agreement signed last March during President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to India.

In 2019 CABSAT returns to its traditional March calendar slot and once again the Dubai exhibition will be complemented with an important Global VSAT Forum (GVF) programme of key satellite industry themes which will afford a high-profile to participating speakers and supporting sponsor organizations.

The Joint Force Space Component Command (JFSCC) hosted a Combined Space Operation Coalition Summit with more than 120 defence personnel from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States at Vandenberg AFB, California, 19-22 February 2019.