APRSAF-10

Background

The Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) is an annual meeting to enhance the space development of each country and to exchange views toward the future cooperation in space activities in our region. In the final day, all participants adopt the recommendations, which we should keep in mind when we conduct each activity.
Under the main theme of "Toward Promoting Cooperation on Space Application in Our Region", APRSAF-10 was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 14 through 16 January 2004, and consisted of the plenary session and the three working group sessions to discuss our future cooperation.

• The 1st Session : Tokyo, Japan / Sep. 1993
• The 2nd Session : Tokyo, Japan/ Oct.-Nov.1994
• The 3rd Session : Tokyo, Japan/ Mar.1995
• The 4th Session : Tokyo, Japan/ Mar.1997
• The 5th Session : Ulanbaatar, Mongolia/ Jun.1998/Co-Host Style
• The 6th Session : Tsukuba, Japan/May 1999
• The 7th Session : Tokyo, Japan/Jun.2000
• The 8th Session : Kuara Lumpur, Malaysia/July 2001/Co-Host Style
• The 9th Session : Daejeon, Korea/March 2003/Co-Host Style

Joint Organizers

• Ministry of Science and Technology of Thailand (MOST)
• Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency of Thailand (GISTDA)
• Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT)
• Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

General Chairperson

Dr. Wicha Jiwalai, Chairman of the Executive board of GISTDA
Mr. Masahiro Kawasaki, Commissioner, Space Activities Commission (SAC) /MEXT

Participating Countries, and International Organizations at APRSAF-10

• Asian Region -

  Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, The Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand

• Pacific Region -

  Australia

• Other Countries -

  France, Germany, U.S.A.

• International Organizations -

  AIT, AP-MCSTA, ICIMOD, UN/ESCAP

JAXA's Role

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) was established on October 1, 2003 with the merger of three space related organizations, the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL), the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). The consolidation of these three formerly independent organizations will allow a continuous and systematic approach to space exploration, from basic research to development and practical application.

As one of the co-host organizations, JAXA plays a central role not only in planning and organizing APRSAF as secretariat, but also in sending its technical experts to embody concrete cooperation in our region through the fruitful discussion.

Summary of APRSAF-10

Around 120 people representing government officials and technical experts from 21 countries in the Asia Pacific and 4 International Organizations, assembled in Chiang Mai City, Thailand from 14 to 16 January 2004 in order to participate in this forum and discuss how to promote cooperation on Space Application in our region.

The opening ceremony consisted of four address from His Excellency General Chettha Thanajaro (The Minister of Science and Technology (MOST), Thailand), Mr Suwat Tantipat (The Governor of Chiang Mai, Thailand), Mr Masahiro Kawasaki (Acting Chairman, Commissioner, Space Activities Commission (SAC), Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan) and Mr Kiyoshi Higuch(The Executive Director, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan).

The first day of this forum, Japanese chairperson of the four working-groups (Earth observation, Satellite Communication Applications, Space Education and Awareness and Space Environment Utilization) reported on the efforts which they have conducted since APRSAF-9 (Korea, March, 2003). In addition, the keynote speeches, the special speeches and other speeches were addressed.
The evening reception of the first day was hosted by GISTDA. The reception brought all the participants the wonderful night full of traditional Thai foods and pleasant conversation.

The second day, continued on the first day, the keynote speeches and the special speeches were addressed.
And in the afternoon, the three working groups (Earth Observation, Satellite Communication Applications, Space Education and Awareness) were held respectively. At the each working group, a lot of fruitful discussions to the future cooperation were held.

The evening reception of the second day was hosted by MEXT. It was also gave us relaxed time.

In the morning of the third day, the summary reports of each working group were submitted to the general chairpersons. As the result of the discussion based upon the summary reports of the working group, the general chairperson adopted the recommendations which we should implement by the next APRSAF-11:
click here for the APRSAF-10 recommendations.

In the afternoon, the technical tour organized by GISTDA.

To conduct a concrete cooperation which reflects on the recommendations, we believe that it is highly requested for the people in our region to follow up the discussions in the APRSAF-10.
At end, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all participants and those who concerned about the APRSAF-10.

Recommendations

• Click here for the Recommendations

APRSAF-10 related documentations

• Official Report