UNISPACE+50, the first global United Nations space summit in the twenty-first century, has opened today in Vienna, Austria. The event brings together government leaders, policy makers, space experts, and industry and civil society representatives to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the 1968 Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
The event is a milestone opportunity to consider the broad societal benefits of space as an area of innovation, inspiration, interconnectedness, integration and investment. It brings together the international community to discuss how to enhance the use of space as a driver of socioeconomic development and consider the future course of global space cooperation for the benefit of humankind.
Organized by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, which implements the UN-SPIDER programme, UNISPACE+50 consists of a symposium (18-19 June) and high-level segment (20-21) of the 61st session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Former US astronaut and United Nations Champion for Space Scott Kelly will join the participants at the Vienna International Centre (VIC). An exhibition with more than 40 organizations showcasing their activities runs from 18 to 23 June as part of the event. The exhibition will be open to the public in the morning of 23 June.
