Elaboration of a "Coordination Platform for the Use of Space Capabilities to support Sustainable Development Goals (including migration)

Paper number

IAC-16,D4,2,3,x32635

Coauthor

Mrs. Isabelle Duvaux-Bechon, European Space Agency (ESA), France

Year

2016

Abstract

The issue of migration of people whatever caused by (state of war, terrorism, poverty, economic crisis, hope for a better life) is more and more at the top of the concerns of our Member States. It is one of the greatest challenges Europe in particular has to face today. Satellites already respond to this challenge, and can further support it in the future via applications to be developed or future programmes (including in Earth Observation, Telecommunications, Technology, Human Spaceflight or Technology).

With this in mind and the request of several of its Member States to elaborate an answer to this growing concern, the European Space Agency (ESA) has started end 2015 a process to elaborate and implement an International Charter answering those concerns.

Its aim is to promote cooperation in the use of space facilities to comprehensively respond to international migration and to contribute to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), by pursuing 2 objectives:
\begin{itemize}\item to alleviate in the short term human suffering and reduce loss of lives (during migration flows, refugee assistance, fight against human trafficking and piracy, rule of law enforcement),
\item to provide a coordinated response to support the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, leading in the long term to a reduction of the need for migration.\end{itemize}

The Members signatories to the Charter, that will be space agencies, space system operators or service providers will elaborate their “catalogue” of what is available or could be provided, easing information exchange with the “Partners” -  institutions or services responsible either (a) for the management of refugees or humanitarian assistance or (b) for official development assistance – and through them to the “Beneficiaries” - nationally or internationally recognised institutions, bodies or entities that may benefit from the data, information and services through them. It is planned that the Charter will have been signed by the founding Members before end August 2016. 

As an example, the data, information and services concerned for ESA will be detailed. The process leading to the signature of this Charter, the concept embedded, and associated business case when relevant, as well as the members, partners or beneficiary concerned, will be explained.

Abstract document

IAC-16,D4,2,3,x32635.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-16,D4,2,3,x32635.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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