Mexico to chair events on the peaceful use of outer space

This year, Mexico will chair the 61st session of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), as well as the special segment UNISPACE+50 , according to the general director of the Mexican Space Agency (AEM), Francisco Javier Mendieta Jiménez.

In a statement, the director said this decision proves Mexico is consolidating its position as an actor with global responsibility, but now in the topic of outer space .

Mendieta confirmed Mexico is willing to cooperate in developing initiatives, proposals, and contributions with Mexican talent in favor of the peaceful uses of space.

The official said the General Coordinator of Outer Space International and Security Affairs, Rosa María Ramírez de Arellano y Haro will be the one in charge of both, the COPUS session and the Summit UNISPACE+50.

For her part, Ramírez Arellano stressed that Mexico has the necessary experience to chair the Committee and the Summit since Mexico is a founder member since 1959 and in September 2016 was chosen to host the International Astronautical Congress.

In 2015, Mexico was honored with a Vice-presidency at the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), for becoming, in only two years, the Latin American leader of international space cooperation .

UNISPACE+50 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, before the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, and representatives of the 193 member countries of the UN.

This, he said, is an opportunity to discuss the future of international space cooperation and build the agenda “Space 2030” between Government and Non-Government players, in order for space activities to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.

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