Supporting Sustainable Development with Outer Space Activities

As the Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), I am appreciative of the opportunity to contribute to the ESPI Yearbook 2016 on the topic of space and sustainable development. The role that space activities and the international space community can play in support of sustainable development is invaluable. Space activities are responsible for many of the crucial technologies and capabilities that improve everyday life on Earth and society as a whole. Regardless of geographic region and level of development, every nation should be in the position to utilize space for its empowering capacities and ability to drive innovation and address global challenges. Advancements in space benefit all member states of the United Nations in one way or another, and thus these technologies support our common goals and efforts in addressing global challenges and implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.