Peaceful use of outer space for equitable global development

Address by Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe MP, at the 15th Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), Vietnam, December 10.

It is distinct pleasure for me to be able to address you on behalf of the Government and people of Sri Lanka on this important occasion - the 15th Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) - which brings together stakeholders representing State governments from the Asia-Pacific region, international and regional organisations, specialised agencies and institutions involved in space and allied technologies, academic experts and other key actors to engage in a dialogue on significant issues connected with the theme of this Session. Your theme for this year, “Space for Sustainable Development” is of especial significance for a region that shows vast potential for exponential growth and prosperity, yet remains one of the most vulnerable to endogenous and exogenous shocks - challenges that are manmade and natural, physical and environmental, financial and political. These risks pose significant barriers to the realisation of the aspirations of our many peoples and it is for this reason that the collective sharing of experience and knowledge at forums such as the APRSAF acquire such significance in today’s context.

National priority

A relatively small number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region have been able to function at the cutting edge of space technology. However many nations have accorded the subject high national priority especially in the sphere of remote sensing and other everyday technologies such as weather forecasting, GPS systems and television and communications media. However, Sri Lanka, which was home to space visionary Dr. Arthur C. Clarke for much of his adult life, remains dependent on benefits from cooperation with other nations and international organisations with access to more developed technologies in our pursuit of applied solutions that enable us to face the many developmental challenges that we are confronted with as a nation. We are fully aware of the undoubted benefits of space technology which is a key component of any integrated development strategy of the contemporary era. Accordingly we are determined to build capacities in this critical area of endeavour and look forward to working in close collaboration with our friends and partners in the region and globally in order to achieve these ends.

Risk management

From the standpoint of disaster management, which is part of my ministerial portfolio, the identification of and management of risks of disasters is a key component of our national efforts to ensure long term and durable development for our people of both present and future generations. As we move towards the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction (or “DRR”) into development planning in our countries - something that Sri Lanka has recently committed itself to - we must all be mindful of the close nexus that exists between disaster management, and more specifically, DRR and sustainable development. Indeed, a commonly used definition of DRR advanced by some UN agencies is: ‘The conceptual framework of elements considered with the possibilities to minimize vulnerabilities and disaster risks throughout a society, to avoid (through prevention) or to limit (via mitigation and preparedness) the adverse impacts of hazards (or risks), within the board context of sustainable development.’

The recent past has seen a significant increase in the use of space-based solutions and information to support the management of risk and disasters.

The use of such technologies has been proven useful in the risk assessment, mitigation and preparedness phases of disaster management. As we learnt from the tsunami event of December 2004, space technologies have a central role to play in providing early warning to communities that are at risk and also supporting rescue efforts.

Indian Ocean depression

The practical benefits of applied space technology are apparent to all. The Indian Ocean depression that affected parts of South Asia over the past week was closely tracked using space technology and we were able to put contingency plans into effect well in time. Recent disasters in Myanmar (cyclone Nargis) and China (Wenchen earthquake) have shown how the problem now is not accessing such information but coordinating the many opportunities and having and exercising the ability to take advantage of the information being provided. This is the challenge for developing countries and it is our belief that forums such as APRSAF could catalyse closer cooperation between key sectoral players in our countries. The Sentinel Asia project is one such initiative with which APRSAF can be justly proud. We eagerly await the next development steps of this Disaster Management Support System in the Asia-Pacific Region (DMSS) pioneered by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) - one of our co-hosts - which will undoubtedly pay rich dividends in terms of provision of quality and timely information sharing through synergistic networking and will benefit many peoples and countries in this region and even beyond the region.

Technology-based solutions

In order for developing countries to be able to incorporate the use of space technology-based solutions and information, there is a need to increase awareness of the availability and potential of the solution, build national capacity and also develop solutions that are tailored to suit local needs as well as and appropriate to those needs. With a view to supporting sustainable development - our theme - we should all work towards greater understanding of space technologies through appropriate educational initiatives throughout the region in order that the information gap could be successfully bridged and benefits derived could be optimised.

It is not my intention to dwell on the range of technologies and solutions that are available and emerging, which are of immediate utility relevance nor is it useful to list out the potential benefits. They are all too apparent and are well known by the distinguished gathering in this room.

Sustainable development

Permit me to share with you instead some thoughts on sustainable development in the context of the Asia-Pacific region and, in particular, the use of space technologies in supporting such development. We all know that our region has a vast and largely untapped potential in terms of human and natural resources. Any process of development should be primarily aimed at un-tapping that potential with a view to sustaining its exploitation. As evocatively expressed by the Brundtland report adopted at the UN General Assembly in 1987, it is development that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” This, to my mind, is the core principle that we should abide by.

In this connection, one of the main objects of the peaceful uses of outer space must be the promotion of equitable global development and the safety and security of humankind. Global attention has been focused on this issue for over 30 years and continues through the efforts of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) in Vienna which implements the United Nations Programme on Space Applications. OOSA in cooperation with a host of global bodies is directing its efforts towards a coordinated approach to disaster management through the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (or UN-SPIDER) initiative which has had an immediate impact for instance in the recent floods in Bihar and South Nepal earlier this year. Sri Lanka is no exception. We have, in cooperation and with the assistance of UNOCHA, arranged to receive satellite imagery which will be used for a variety of nationally important functions.

Sustainable development, as definitively stated in the 2005 World Summit, has three main dimensions - economic, socio-political and environmental. There is arguably a fourth pillar that is increasingly advocated as falling within the scope of sustainable development, which is cultural diversity. These interdependent and interlocking pillars buttress and sustain each other. Furthermore, in my capacity as Minister for Human Rights, I view the participatory nature of development as essential for sustainability. As stressed in the “Agenda 21”, information is a key aspect of ensuring participatory development. Through the development of the tools of information and communications technology, their deployment and usage supported in no small measure by space technologies, one of the critical aspects of participatory sustainable development are fulfilled.

Vital role

Some of the main elements impacting on sustainable development include: agriculture, atmosphere, biodiversity, climate change, desertification and drought, disaster reduction and management, education and awareness, forests, fresh water, health, human settlements, information for decision-making and participation, land management, oceans and seas and transport.

It is patently clear that space technology has a vital role to play in ensuring development in line with the right to development which has, at least since 1986, been recognised by international law. In that year, the UN General Assembly adopted and proclaimed the Declaration on the Right to Development, explicitly reaffirming the existence of a human right to development. Corollaries of the right are participation, the right to information and the right to equitably share in the fruits of developmental activity. To this is now added the requirement of sustainability which safeguards not only the rights of the present generation but also of those future generations.

Information sharing

On behalf of the Government of His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka, it is my earnest wish that APRSAF through this and future deliberations, moves forward rapidly with facilitating the educational, capacity building and institutional development initiatives under way in many of the region’s developing countries. As I pointed out earlier, it is not through mere observation and reporting based on environmental and ecological monitoring but also through enhancing communications and information sharing that sustainable development can be supported in the Asia-Pacific region. I am gratified therefore that one of your working groups will focus on this aspect.

It only remains for me to thank our gracious hosts the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology who have welcomed us to this beautiful part of your country. I would also be failing in my duty if I were to omit mention of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and JAXA of the Government of Japan. My sincere thanks and appreciation are also due to the main organisers from the APRSAF secretariat for this well organised and most useful opportunity to exchange views and experiences of critical importance to our region.