Background
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) has long been active in the Interagency Task Team on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (IATT) and spearheaded and facilitated space tech applications for the SDGs.
The recent "Pact for the Future" highlights the importance of international cooperation in peaceful outer space exploration for humanity's benefit. It reaffirmed the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, designating space as a shared resource, especially vital as reliance on space grows. Recognizing the need to manage space traffic, debris, and resources sustainably, the Pact aligns space efforts with the 2030 Agenda. It invites multi-stakeholder engagement, suggests discussing the establishment of new frameworks through the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and the hosting of UNISPACE IV conference in 2027.
Against this background, DESA and UNOOSA organized a Webinar dedicated to have an in-focused knowledge sharing session among all IATT members and to explore the critical role of space applications in advancing the SDGs. By leveraging satellite technology, data, and international partnerships, UNOOSA is committed to supporting sustainable development efforts globally, particularly through the Space for SDGs initiative. In alignment with the priorities under review at this year’s High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), the Webinar emphasized SDGs 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 14 (Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and informed the preparation of the 2025 STI Forum.
