AMBASSADOR DAVIES' INTRODUCTORY CALL WITH UN OUTER SPACE

UNCLAS UNVIE VIENNA 000474 SIPDIS E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: TSPA UNPUOS UNGA SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DAVIES' INTRODUCTORY CALL WITH UN OUTER SPACE OFFICE OFFICIALS ¶1. SUMMARY: In his introductory call with UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) Director Mazlan Othman, Ambassador Davies received an overview briefing on OOSA programs, on the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG),UN Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER),as well as OOSA's views on the dynamics of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). Ambassador Davies expressed appreciation for the work OOSA is doing and support for its efforts. END SUMMARY -------------- Overview of Ambassador Davies' Meeting with OOSA Officials -------------- ¶2. In an October 7, 2009 meeting, senior OOSA officials briefed Ambassador Davies on OOSA programs and COPUOS. OOSA was represented by OOSA Director Mazlan Othman Technical Applications lead Professor Dr. Hans J. Haubold, UN-SPIDER Program Coordinator David Stevens, and Chief of Committee Services and Research Section Niklas Hedman. Haubold briefed Ambassador Davies on the Activities of the Space Applications Program, which also doubled as an overview of the key issues under discussion during the Science and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) meeting which occur prior to the spring COPOUS meetings. These issues include nuclear power systems in space, the working group on the sustainability of accessing space, and the tracking of near earth objects. ¶3. Stevens then reviewed the use of international imagery satellites in disaster planning, mitigation, and support through UN-SPIDER (Note: UN-SPIDER is a program designed to provide countries in need with space-based information, mostly imagery, in order to plan for and cope with disasters. UN-SPIDER even sends teams to the field to do disaster assessments based on the imagery analysis the UN-SPIDER program manages). Turning to COPOUS, Hedman offered a very brief overview of the committee, as well as the role of the STSC and the Legal Subcommittee (LSC). ¶4. Othman praised the leadership and example set by the U.S. in registering all types of orbiting satellites, not just unclassified ones. Ambassador Davies was particularly intrigued with the mission of UN-SPIDER and inquired to the level of U.S. support; Othman stressed that, unfortunately, the U.S. support for UN-SPIDER was not as good as support from other countries. Ambassador Davies promised to look into the matter. The Ambassador ended the meeting expressing appreciation for the work that OOSA does and offering general U.S. support to its mission. DAVIES