As the world confronts the escalating impacts of climate change, natural disasters,
and resource insecurity, space-based solutions have emerged as critical tools for
resilience, sustainability and inclusive development. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) has been at the fore of addressing these issues, assisting countries, especially developing countries, access and leverage the benefits of space to accelerate sustainable development. This panel discussion follows the formal joining of forces between the Commonwealth Secretariat and UNOOSA.
Technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and earth observation satellites provide essential insights into environmental trends and vulnerabilities. These tools enable countries to monitor deforestation, track ocean temperatures and currents, assess habitat loss and predict extreme weather events.
In addition, space technology can significantly advance communication enabling unconnected peoples to be part of national economic activities and global interactions. However, with an expanding use of space and proliferation of satellites this means that countries need to cooperate in managing the access and use of outer space, strengthen national capacities, and implement effective space law and policy frameworks.
With a large proportion of the world’s Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and climate vulnerable countries in the Commonwealth, it has been working on the use of space applications to assist Commonwealth countries to integrate these technologies into national planning and policy, enhance their ability to respond to natural disasters, protect ecosystems, manage natural resources sustainably, and build climate-resilient communities.
Objective:
To explore how satellite imagery can be used to leverage commercial data and innovation providers to drive resilience at local level, connecting the unconnected.
Participants and guests
- High Commissioners and representatives from Commonwealth countries
- Officials from UNOOSA and the Commonwealth Secretariat
- Representatives from NGOs and the private sector working in the fields of space and artificial intelligence
- Climate activists, youth groups, and other stakeholders committed to sustainable development and climate action
Speakers include
- Lorant Czaran, Acting Head of Space Applications Section, UNOOSA
- Anders Linders, General Manager, International Government, Maxar Technologies
- Atsushi Takata, Executive Vice President, Global Strategy, SpaceData Inc
- Will Marshall, CEO, Planet Labs
- Nilesh Desai, Director, Space Applications Agency, India
- Vugar Bayramov, Adviser to Chairman, Azercosmos
- Lauren Dreyer, Vice President, Starlink
- Kyle Whitehill, CEO, Avanti Space
- Dr Arjoon Suddhoo, Deputy Secretary-General, Commonwealth Secretariat
- Moderator: Mxolisi Sibanda, Interim Head of Climate Change, Commonwealth Secretariat
Media contact
-
Suné Kitshoff Senior Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
- M: +44 7740 450 901 | E-mail
