New space institutions in Latin American and Caribbean countries have agreed to identify common elements in their space policies to facilitate international cooperation. In recognizing mutually beneficial aspects of using space, the collaboration would serve as the foundation for a future regional space policy.

This was the main outcome of a space policy workshop held in Mexico City last month, organized by the Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (CRECTEALC) and Secure World Foundation. The workshop — Space Policy in Latin America and the Caribbean: Looking to the Future — brought together high-level space policy-makers from Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Germany, Japan, South Africa, Mexico, The Netherlands, United States of America, and Venezuela. The workshop was held in cooperation with the National Institute for Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics (INAOE) and the General Directorate for the United Nations System of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico.

“This workshop was an eye opener for me,” said Dr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of Secure World Foundation. Williamson said that the smaller Latin American countries are very interested in getting into space for the benefits that space systems can provide, “both in development of high technology industry and in the use of space applications to improve people’s health, resource management, and education. The United States should support these interests.” The workshop was organized at a unique point in time when there are several countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean region with recently established national space agencies or commissions, or that are in the process of establishing one, said Dr. Sergio Camacho, Secretary General of CRECTEALC. The Centre is affiliated with the United Nations and has a Campus in Brazil and one in Mexico. Camacho is the former Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, a post that he held from 2002 to 2007. “For any country, particularly for one with an incipient space program, participating in international cooperation activities is a way of developing space capability at a faster pace than by acting alone. Such participation is facilitated when its national space legislation is aligned with the international outer space treaties. Furthermore, cooperation is facilitated when countries have compatible space policies and goals,” Camacho said.

Among proposals detailed at the workshop, a central proposition is to develop capability in space policy and space law in the region, building on the initiatives of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and CRECTEALC. To the extent feasible, these capabilities would be developed in cooperation with national and international institutions, including non-governmental institutions, with expertise in the subject area. “The three-day workshop was very successful, yielding a number of action items in order not to lose the momentum,” said Agnieszka Lukaszczyk, Space Policy Consultant for Secure World Foundation (SWF) based at the Foundation’s office in Vienna, Austria. Lukaszczyk said that the gathering of policy leaders had a positive impact on developments in the Latin American regional space arena.

“One project that emerged from the workshop is creation of a database/map of Latin America space capabilities, to identify those involved, where and how these abilities can be used,” Lukaszczyk said. “This will help to avoid duplication and unnecessary spending on data already available and will foster regional cooperation in knowledge and resource sharing,” she said. A draft report on the proceedings of the workshop, as well as recommended next steps, is being prepared by CRECTEALC. That draft report will seek comments by the co-sponsors of the activity and by the workshop participants. A final report will be further distributed to other countries in the region who will be invited to take part in areas of their specific interest.