COPUOS/T.551
Page 13
major achievements of researchers in Nigeria and
Africa in all aspects of space science and technology.
Mr. Chairman, Nigeria remains committed to
its bilateral and multilateral agreements, including
those with international organizations such as the
DMC, CEOS and GEOS. It also pledges its support to
international protocols and treaties governing space
exploration, especially the peaceful uses of outer space.
Mr. Chairman, Nigeria considers the use of
space technology strategic to the realization of its
economic reform programmes, such as the National
Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy.
This reform is aimed at achieving some of the
objectives of the New Partnership for Africa’s
Development, NEPAD, and the United Nations
Millennium Development Goals, MDG, particularly in
the areas of food security, comprehensive rural health
delivery, job and wealth creation and poverty
alleviation.
Mr. Chairman, the systematic implementation
of the Nigerian space policy and programme is
considered as part of the overall national development
strategy and Nigeria remains focused and committed to
the achievements of these objectives.
I thank you Mr. Chairman.
The CHAIRMAN
(interpretation from
French): Thank you Mr. Maiyegun for your statement
on behalf of the Nigerian delegation. I have to say that
I was very impressed by the breadth of space-related
activities pursued by Nigeria, these observation
satellites, the future telecommunications satellite, on
which you are working right now. I was very pleased
to hear that the DMC constellation has joined the
International Charter on emergency situations and you
are fully participating now in these Charter activities.
Congratulations on the remarkable accomplishments of
your country in the area of outer space activities.
We are now moving on to the statement by the
delegation of India. I believe Dr. Suresh is going to
speak on behalf of his country. Thank you.
Mr. B. N. SURESH (India): Thank you Mr.
Chairman. The Indian delegation is pleased to see you
in the Chair guiding the deliberations of the forty-ninth
session of COPUOS. We express our hearty
congratulations to you for the election as the Chairman
of COPUOS for the year 2006-2007. We are confident
that under your able guidance and leadership and with
your vast experience in the space arena and also your
long-term association with the United Nations forum,
this Committee will achieve substantial progress during
the session. You can also count on the full cooperation
and support of the Indian delegation in achieving
excellent results in this Committee under your
leadership.
We also congratulate Mr. Elöd Both and Mr.
Paul Tiendrebeogo on being elected as the First and
Second Vice-Chairman of COPUOS. We are sure the
new Bureau, with the assistance of the Office for Outer
Space Affairs, will contribute significantly to the
progress of the matters related to the agenda items
identified for this session.
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Adigun Ade Abiodun led
the COPUOS Committee very efficiently during the
period 2004 to 2005. We place on record our sincere
appreciation for his excellent contribution as the
Chairman of the COPUOS during his two-year tenure.
Mr. Chairman, the year 2005 had seen some
major disasters in various parts of the world like
massive earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and landslides.
India conveys its deepest condolences to the countries
who people were devastated by these disasters. More
recently, there has been a devastating earthquake that
struck the Indonesian island resulting in great loss of
lives and property. India conveys its deepest
condolences to the people of Indonesia.
Mr. Chairman, the Indian delegation
congratulates the United States of America on the
successful return to flight mission of the Space Shuttle
and also on the Silver Jubilee Year of the Space Shuttle
this year. The successful launch of their New Horizon
spacecraft to the distant planet Pluto by the United
States of America is another important space effort and
we wish them success in their future endeavours. We
also congratulate the People’s Republic of China on its
second successful manned mission flight during
October 2005.
Mr. Chairman, the effective utilization of
space systems for national development is the way for
all developing countries to make substantial progress.
Conceiving specific application programmes to address
the societal problems at the grass root level is of utmost
importance. Towards this goal, COPUOS has been
providing the right platform by enthusing many
countries to take up space application programmes for
the benefit of mankind. In the coming years,
international cooperation in the space arena should get
further fillip providing better benefits to the developing
countries. We look forward to a very fruitful and
participative deliberation during this session.