United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Kenyan Space Agency Collaborate on Space Law for New Space Actors Project – Social News XYZ

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The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Kenya Space Agency have agreed to collaborate under the “Space Act for New Space Actors” project. The collaboration will include a technical advisory mission to Nairobi, Kenya in the first half of 2023 to provide tailored capacity building and legal advisory services to regulatory authorities in Kenya. This activity is made possible thanks to the generous contribution of the French government, donor of the Space Law for New Space Actors project.

The mission will assess Kenya’s needs in the area of ​​international space law, taking into account the specific judicial, administrative and technical requirements of the country. The main objectives of the project are to establish a network of intergovernmental focal points to organize international expertise and provide opportunities for peer-to-peer networking, in-person training and joint promotion of the project as it is implemented. .

The Space Law for New Space Actors project provides UN Member States with ad hoc capacity building to draft national space legislation and/or national space policies consistent with international space law and the normative framework to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities. . In addition, the project raises awareness and encourages adherence to the existing normative framework governing space activities, in particular the five international treaties on space law developed and concluded within the framework of the United Nations, namely the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Space. outer space (COPUOS). .

The Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (Outer Space Treaty), which celebrates its 55th anniversary this year, serves as the foundation of international space law. Since the Outer Space Treaty, UN member states have agreed and adopted a growing list of treaties, principles and guidelines that collectively form the normative framework defining responsible activities in outer space. outer space. This framework has been instrumental in creating a safe and sustainable space environment that has enabled more than half a century of exponential growth in space activities and the global space economy.

Acting Director of UNOOSA, Niklas Hedman, said: “Based on the strong support and cooperation that Kenya has provided to UNOOSA activities for many years, we look forward to the opportunity to provide in-country capacity building and advisory services. We are confident that this activity will result in greater acceptance, adherence to and implementation of the UN Treaties on Outer Space, as well as possible new legislation, policies or space strategies in Kenya. Finally, I would like to thank the French government for funding this opportunity.

Acting Director General of the Kenya Space Agency, Brigadier Hillary B. Kipkosgey, said, “UNOOSA has been a beneficial partner to Kenya through its universal access to space initiatives. Space is a new field and emerging countries like Kenya are still building their human and technical capacity in space science and technology. Therefore, Kenya appreciates the support and goodwill of France as a donor country to assist UNOOSA experts to offer technical expertise and advice as we seek to create an enabling policy and legal and regulatory framework. space activities in Kenya. We look forward to future collaborations and partnerships.

Delphine Hournau-Pouëzat, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations and international organizations in Vienna, declared: “France is committed to the principle of free access to space and supports the efforts deployed by UNOOSA in strengthening space sector capabilities for emerging space. – prosperous countries. The Space Law for New Space Actors project contributes to enabling all nations to benefit from the socio-economic advantages offered by space infrastructures. This program is essential for developing a common understanding and sharing of experiences on how to implement the Outer Space Treaty and ensure the sustainability of space activities. France is happy to collaborate with UNOOSA and Kenya, a country that is dynamically advancing its space sector and contributing to space development in Africa.

Distributed by APO Group for the United Nations Information Service Vienna (UNIS).