Statement by Ms Lulu Makapela Department Of Trade And Industry at the 49th Session of the Legal Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful uses of Outer Space, Vienna, 26 March 2010

Agenda Item 10: Capacity-Building In Space Law 

Mr Chairman

The South African delegation appreciates the opportunity to take the floor to make interventions on capacity-building in space law. As was mentioned in our statement during the General Exchange of Views, my delegation attaches great importance to this item as it is a matter of concern to developing countries, in particular Africa.

Mr Chairman,

We are pleased with the efforts by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) with regard to capacity-building and the support that was offered by the Office during the 3rd African Leadership Conference that was held in Algeria from 7 to 9 December 2009. South Africa regards these fora as platforms through which issues related to the African Agenda can be promoted, in order to achieve the aim of sustainable development for the African continent. Some of the recommendations made during the Conference with regard to capacity-building were to set up a common regional and sub-regional platform to permit dialogue and to exchange information about space policy and space law as well as to strengthen the education policy on space law within African universities. We believe that this was the foundation of a new partnership between UNOOSA and Africa. However, we would like to urge the international community to intervene by encouraging institutions and organisations in their respective areas to offer assistance in space law and related fields.

Mr Chairman,

My delegation notes with appreciation the comprehensive Directory of educational opportunities in space law provided by the Secretariat, and encourages UNOOSA to continue its sterling work in this regard. South Africa is committed to strengthen and promote the development of capacity in space law and related fields. To this end, South Africa has initiated a process of engagement with the various academic institutions and the national centres of excellence within the country with the aim of developing a short and long term capacity-building programme in the field of space law and related fields. The Government of South Africa has engaged the University of Pretoria to develop a postgraduate course that will be open to decision and policymakers, students, educators and professionals involved in space activities. The University of Pretoria is considering including a component of space law in its Public International Law postgraduate course. The course is expected to commence in 2011. My delegation is also committed to looking at the long-term interventions of expanding the programme to a much broader base, with the vision of expanding the postgraduate course to an LLM programme and curriculum in space law.

Mr Chairman,

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology started a human capital development initiative that will train students in Satellite Systems Engineering using the CUBESAT as a model for the programme. The programme has a number of seminars related to space law and policy. These seminars will also provide a platform for our local experts to meet and discuss the direction that the industry should take. This platform will also grow our space knowledge base so that we can make the best out of the limited local resources.

Thank you Mr Chairman and distinguished delegates for your attention.