The Legal and Policy Foundations For An African Space Agency
- Paper number
IAC-13,E3,P,4.p1,x19956
- Author
Mr. Phetole Sekhula, South Africa
- Year
2013
- Abstract
The creation of an African Space Agency has generated much discussions recently with the announcement by the African Ubion Ministerial Committee on Communications (AMCOST) to convene a Woeking Group to develop the African Space Policy framework with a view to lay the foundations fo the establishement of the continental Space Agency. The critics point to the underdevelop national space programs as a limiting factor militating against establisihng such a body. On the other hand, the importance of, and the benefits derived from enhanced cooperation at a continental or regional level in underscored by contemporary pactice towards greater international cooperation in space use and exploration. Space technology has demonstrated its efficacy in addressing delivery of much needed services and products in geographically dispersed and vast under-populated areas such as the African continent. Space applications related to environmental management, food security, early warning and emergency responses, including disater management, can be harnessed effectively through cooperative mechanisms, especially where fragmentation has led to ineffective responses as a result of lack of financial and human resources. Yet, effective cooperation mechanisms must be based on solid policy and legal foundations. It is necessary to examine the ploicy and legal framewrok necessary to ensure that the mooted African Space Agency is conceived on solid and responsive basis for efffective implementation and roll-out of space applications and programs to address Africa's plight.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)