APRSAF-26 Menu

APRSAF-26

November 26-29, 2019

Nagoya, Japan Japan

Outcome Documents

Two statements were adopted at the APRSAF-26 as the outcome documents: Nagoya Vision, which addresses the four goals for the APRSAF activities over the next 10 years and Joint Statement, which is the record of the APRSAF-26.

APRSAF Nagoya Vision
Joint Statement

APRSAF Nagoya Vision

PDF Version

Over the 25 years since its establishment, the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) has evolved into an open forum that seeks to promote sustainable space cooperation on a voluntary basis. Considering that space activities in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to dynamically evolve in the future, APRSAF will address the following four goals for the APRSAF activities over the next 10 years:

(1)

Promoting solutions for a broad range of social issues on the ground

APRSAF has been addressing solutions for the common issues in our region through the initiatives utilizing satellite data such as Sentinel Asia in order to contribute to the efforts taken against the natural disasters.

APRSAF will promote the SAFE EVOLUTION, which has been officially launched at APRSAF-26 and which promotes the uses of satellite data under the multilateral framework in the areas such as agricultural management. In addition, APRSAF will try to further utilize the space technology including satellite data, with the aim of contributing to solving of a broad range of social issues on the ground and achieving SDGs by taking new outcomes with respect to STI in the space field.

(2)

Enhancing human resources development, capacity building and science-technology capability

APRSAF has been contributing to human resources development and capacity building for young researchers, engineers, and youth in our region by stimulating their intellectual curiosity through initiatives such as Kibo-ABC. Also, we have been promoting the educational support for youth in cooperation with educators by providing space education programs and materials such as international water rocket event.

In addition to these activities, the APRSAF will play an important role in providing opportunities for exchanging information for the improvement of space technology development capability throughout our whole region, as well as continuing discussions for the realization of the joint development of innovative small and cube satellites. APRSAF will also aim to foster the talent with advanced knowledge who are expected to play a leading role in each country in the future

(3)

Advancing capabilities in policy implementation on common issues in the region

Acknowledging that space technology and space policy are inseparable pairs in respect to space related activities, APRSAF has been working on supporting the creation of community among policy experts as well as space engineers in the region, by providing opportunities for sharing information on space policy issues and practices of each country.

APRSAF will continue to enhance the activities of space policy community in the region, and contribute to the enhanced capability in policy implementation of each country on common regional issues in the region. In addition, as players in the space field continue to increase, we, as a whole region, will contribute as a region to global issues such as ensuring the long-term sustainability of space activities and the stable use of outer space.

(4)

Encouraging participation by new players in our region and advance diverse linkages

APRSAF has been developing from a forum primarily consisting of space agencies into the forum of having participation by diverse players including academia, research organizations, user organizations, international/regional organization, development assistant organizations, as well as industry and young generations with a focus on contemporary and advanced technology.

Taking the evolving trend of space related activities in our region, APRSAF will welcome the participation of new players, and will aim to serve as the place for sharing experiences and creating diverse cooperation. APRSAF will also contribute to the creation of new services and business within the region for the further advancement of space economy itself.

Looking ahead to the next quarter century, APRSAF will aim to contribute to the sustainable societal and economic development in the Asia-Pacific region through the above four goals over the next 10 years. APRSAF will also aim to further develop itself by expanding the areas of our activities to incorporate possible new interests in the region such as industry and space science and planetary exploration, and by restructuring its organization structure including the review of working group activities and creating new initiatives for cooperation.

Joint Statement:
Record of the 26th Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum
November 26-29, 2019, Nagoya, Japan

PDF Version

The 26th Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) was held in Nagoya from the November 26th to 29th, 2019, under the theme of “Advancing Diverse Links Toward a New Space Era”.

Held as an open forum, APRSAF has grown over the 25 years from a forum mainly consisted among the space agencies to the largest space-related conference in the region with participation from diverse players. APRSAF has an important role as a platform for exchanging information and creating concrete cooperation among the space-related players in the Asia-Pacific region. APRSAF aims to open up the new era for space activities in the region by connecting the individual links (cooperative activities) and advancing them to create a new value to the region.

The participants recognized and shared the following key points during APRSAF-26:

1. Promoting the participation of new players and facilitating diverse coordination

(1): We recognized that, over the last 25 years of APRSAF, the space activities of the region have gradually expanded from mainly the utilization of satellite data to diverse areas such as utilization of the space environment, improvement in space technology, and space exploration.
(2): We recognized that APRSAF transitioned from activities primarily centered among space agencies to become a place for the participation of diverse players including user organizations, international organizations, and industries.
(3): For the sustainability of society, we recognized the importance of partnerships among these diverse players for effectively utilizing space technology and creating innovative outcomes.
(4): Looking towards the next 25 years of space activities in the region, considering the evolving relationships with diverse players, we discussed the potential discussion topics in future APRSAF (space exploration, space debris, promotion of industry, etc.) and expectations towards the role of future APRSAF.

2. Endeavors for Sustainable Utilization of Outer Space

(1): With the increase of outer space activities causing greater congestion in outer space, it is important to tackle space debris issues and to ensure the stable use of outer space and the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. We recognized the importance to promote domestic efforts to ensure implementation of the international standards (i.e. (1) LTS guidelines, (2) space debris mitigation guidelines, (3) IADC guidelines, (4) ISO standards), and the importance of enhanced transparency and confidence building measures through space object registration, pre-launch notifications, and implementation of other related measures to facilitate sustainable development and the use of outer space.
(2): For ensuring the stable use of outer space and for effectively tackling the regional and global issues, we recognized the importance of continuously advancing national legislations and various procedures concerning space activities in accordance with international norms, such as the Outer Space Treaty.
(3): We welcome the launch of the National Space Legislation Initiative proposed during the Space Policy Practitioners Workshop, which aims to enhance the mutual understanding and raise the capacity of legal response in the region. It will also contribute to the rule making under UNCOPUOS where the report on the status of national legislation in the region will be submitted to the Legal Subcommittee of UNCOPUOS.
(4): We recognized that the Space Technology Working Group plays an important role for information exchange for research and development in the Asia-Pacific region with regard to measures against space debris to ensure the stable use of outer space.
(5): It is important that space agencies make concerted and continuous efforts to improve and develop innovative space technologies for tackling space related issues such as space debris.

3. Coordinating Regional Efforts with Global Efforts

(1): Regarding SDGs as the common language for building a sustainable society, we shared the common goal to contribute to global issues such as SDGs through regional cooperation, in partnerships with international organizations and development aid organizations.
(2): We look forward to further promoting the APRSAF initiatives such as SAFE and Sentinel Asia to solve social issues such as natural disasters, climate change, food security, and water resource management which are taken on by the global agenda (the UN’s SDGs, the Sendai Framework, and the Paris Accord).
(3): In particular, we welcome the advancement of SAFE initiative to “SAFE EVOLUTION” for further promoting the multilateral cooperation for utilization of satellite data. We welcome the sharing of satellite data through data platforms and exchanging information on best practices for space applications, which will lead to enhancing the multilateral cooperation in the region.
(4): We welcome the joint implementation of Sentinel Asia among participating organizations, and regard this initiative as one of the successful examples of multilateral cooperation in APRSAF. Through the effective disaster management in Sentinel Asia, we look forward to Sentinel Asia as being the social infrastructure.

4. Promotion of Dialogue with the Next Generation

(1): Regarding that space development requires long years of strenuous efforts, we recognized the importance of passing on the achievements of our predecessors to the young generations who will lead the future space sector.
(2): APRSAF-26 provided the opportunity for high-school students, university students, and young professionals to present their innovative ideas for using space technologies for contributing to global issues to the heads of space agencies in Asia-Pacific region.
(3): We expect that APRSAF will play an active role in providing opportunities for exchanging information across generations.

5. Improving Space Technology Capability in the Region

(1): We recognized APRSAF as an important opportunity for sharing the best practices related to space technology in each country, which will lead to the overall space technology advancement in the region. Also, we recognized the need to continue discussions to realize the joint activities to develop innovative small and cube satellites through confirming the technological and resource status of each agency and preparing the appropriate missions and development systems for satellite systems.
(2): We welcomed the new capacity building program “robot programming challenge” under the Kibo-ABC initiative, and advancement in bilateral cooperation of micro-g experiments, which will further promote the utilization of Kibo in the Asia-Pacific region. We look forward to the further advancement of space technology which will enhance the continuous utilization of space environment utilization.
(3): Regarding the space education activities promoted in each country, we recognized the importance of continuing discussions also from the perspectives of SDGs, such as “promoting of education of young generation”, “promotion of the STEM education for women’s social advancement”, “education for creating innovation”, “international cooperation”.

6. Promoting Participation in Lunar Exploration Activities

(1): Recognizing that sustainability is the key for future lunar exploration, we noted the importance of promoting space exploration by actively exchanging information of ongoing global activities and welcoming diverse players from industry and academia.
(2): We recognized that there are increased opportunities for new players in the Asia-Pacific region to contribute to lunar exploration such as through dual utilization of lunar exploration technology (utilization of ground technology to lunar exploration and utilization of lunar exploration technology to ground), utilization of Kibo for technology demonstration towards future space exploration, and development of small satellites. We noted the importance of continuing discussions regarding space exploration at APRSAF.
(3): We welcome the increasing new players of space exploration in Asia-Pacific region, such as participation of International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) which JAXA is currently the chair, Moon Village Association (MVA), industry and academia.

The 27th APRSAF will be held in Vietnam in 2020 and the 28th in Indonesia in 2021.