United NationsOffice for Outer Space Affairs

For information only - not an official document

UNIS/OS/467
10 June 2016

United Nations publishes first Annual Report on its Office for Outer Space Affairs

VIENNA, 10 June (UN Information Service) - For the first time, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) has published a comprehensive Annual Report on its activities.

The 2015 Annual Report describes the Office's work in promoting international cooperation for the peaceful use and exploration of space, and in the use of space science and technology for sustainable economic and social development. It also illustrates statistics and provides key facts about UNOOSA.

"UNOOSA is an essential partner in global sustainable development efforts, and has undertaken numerous activities across a broad range of mandates," said the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Yury Fedotov, at the launch event for the Report.

The Annual Report functions not only as an activities report to the members of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, but also as an awareness-raising tool for UN member states, as well as a source of information on the activities, mandates and background of the office as a whole.

"I am pleased to present this new initiative in support of the Office's transparency and outreach efforts," said UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo.

The 2015 Annual Report reviews what has been a busy year for UNOOSA, with preparations beginning for UNISPACE+50, the commemoration in 2018 of the 50th anniversary of the first United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Throughout the course of the year, UNOOSA continued to support Member States to strengthen their capacity in the use of space science, applications, technology and space-based data and information. Increased outreach activities included the redesign of UNOOSA's website and the #whyspacematters campaign in conjunction with NASA astronaut Scott Kelly.

In 2015 the international community also committed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Paris Agreement, all of which act as guiding lights for UNOOSA's work.

"We are proud of what we have achieved in the past year and we are happy to present one overarching publication on the activities of the Office. I am really impressed with what the Office has accomplished, but I am equally eager to prepare for the future," said Ms Di Pippo.

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The UNOOSA 2015 Annual Report is available here.

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For further information, please contact:
Daria Brankin
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Telephone: (+43- 1) 26060-8718
Email: daria.brankin[at]unoosa.org