Bonn, [12th September 2025] — The University of Bonn, the International Peace Alliance (IPA Space), and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) have signed a four-year partnership to advance global capacity-building in the peaceful use of space technology.
The signing ceremony, held on Friday, 12th September 2025, at the University of Bonn, brought together senior representatives from all three institutions. Ms. Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of UNOOSA; Dr. Wang Tianyi, Executive Chair of IPA; and Prof. Dr. Klaus Sandmann, Vice Rector for Studies, Teaching and University Development at the University of Bonn formally signed the agreement, marking a significant step in strengthening global cooperation on space-based solutions for sustainable development and disaster risk reduction.
Advancing UN-SPIDER’s Mission Through Strategic Collaboration
The four-year collaboration between the University of Bonn and IPA Space will channel their complementary strengths to advance UNOOSA’s global capacity-building and outreach mandate. Anchored by the UNOOSA’s UN-SPIDER programme, the UN Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response, and IPA Space’s widely recognised IPSPACE symposium platform, the partnership unites scalable expertise, broad international networks, and proven convening power. The University of Bonn, in particular the Centre for Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces (Zentrum für Fernerkundung der Landoberfläche - ZFL), supports the UN-SPIDER Bonn Office, a long-standing hub for research, training, and advisory services on the peaceful use of space-based information for disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. Over the past decade, the Bonn Office has cultivated a global expert network, produced widely referenced technical guidelines, and convened annual conferences that translate research into actionable policy advice.
Responding to a Global Need
The partnership responds to a growing demand for timely, high-quality space-derived knowledge and training to support governments and communities worldwide. By combining the strengths of all three institutions, the project aims to scale up knowledge-sharing, research collaboration and educational initiatives across the global space community.
Looking ahead, over the next four years, the collaboration will offer predictable resources for multi-annual planning, moving beyond one-off events to a portfolio of activities that foster long-term capacity and innovation. In doing so, it reinforces the commitment of all three partners to ensure that space technology benefits every corner of society.
