4 days ago
Morocco Promotes Inclusive Space Development at UN Committee
At the 68th session of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in Vienna, Morocco called for deeper international and regional cooperation to ensure space technologies benefit all nations, especially developing countries.
Addressing delegates, Morocco's ambassador to the United Nations Office in Vienna, Azzeddine Farhane, stressed that collective action is the most effective way to harness the full potential of outer space. He argued that cooperation in space science, technology transfer , and capacity building is essential for bridging global gaps and advancing peaceful space use.
Morocco reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening multilateral frameworks and voiced strong support for the upcoming UNISPACE IV conference, which it sees as a timely platform to address emerging challenges in the global space landscape.
Farhane also pointed to Morocco's active role in regional cooperation, particularly through the African Space Agency and the African Space Council. He emphasized that partnerships across the continent are central to Morocco's national strategy, with numerous bilateral and international agreements already in place to support African nations in building space expertise.
A key part of this effort is the African Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education in French (CRASTE-LF), based in Rabat. Since 2000, the center has trained specialists from across Francophone Africa; in 2024 alone, it enrolled 89 students from 10 countries in its master's programs in space science and technology.
Looking ahead, Morocco plans to expand its educational and training efforts by offering short courses and workshops on space law and policy through CRASTE-LF. It also aims to foster cross-continental partnerships through events like the June 27 side event, co-hosted with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), titled Celebrating African Space Development: Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Global Space Sector.
Morocco's ambassador further emphasized the strategic importance of its national satellite program, including the Mohammed VI A and B satellites, launched in 2017, 2018.
These advanced Earth observation satellites orbit the planet at around 700 kilometers above ground and capture high-resolution images that support everything from climate monitoring and agricultural planning to urban development, border surveillance, and disaster risk management.
Their data is already being used by Moroccan ministries and public agencies to make more informed decisions—whether mapping water resources, tracking land use, or responding to natural hazards. The ambassador stressed that these satellites are not just technological achievements, but powerful tools that serve both public and private interests and drive sustainable growth at home and across the African continent.
