VIENNA/NEW YORK, 11 July (UN Information Service) – An exhibition that illustrates how space technology can be used to build sustainable and resilient societies has opened in New York. The “My Planet, My Future: Space for the Sustainable Development Goals” exhibition will be on display in the Visitors’ Lobby of the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ) until 5 September 2018.
The exhibition is organized by the NGO CANEUS International with the support of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), and designed by CANEUS partner MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications. It is sponsored by the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency (GSA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
The exhibition shows space-related case studies from around the world with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under review at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which is held at UNHQ from 9 to 18 July, namely:
- Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
- Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
- Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
- Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
- Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
- Goal 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.
“Thanks to the space age, we can track diseases, monitor water quality and availability, tackle disasters at all stages, monitor the weather and plan for more effective energy generation, keep track of air and water pollution, analyze migration patterns of species, protect wildlife, or spot forest fires, illegal deforestation or signs of desertification, and more. To bring the benefits of space to all nations, we have to raise awareness of the importance of space science and technology to sustainable development and how it can contribute to the global community’s commitment to leave no one behind. Activities such as this exhibit offer us great avenues to communicate how space can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and underline the need for all stakeholders and decision-makers to get involved,” said UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo.
“The exhibition is dedicated to the children of this world as they grow with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We believe that the CANEUS approach of using emerging technologies to serve the needs of both the developing and developed world will contribute towards the efforts of United Nations Member States and other stakeholders worldwide to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We have been privileged to receive support from space agencies and organizations worldwide to create this exhibition, particularly from the world leaders GSA and DLR, and MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications,” said CANEUS Chair Milind Pimprikar.
“This is an excellent opportunity to show how the European Union’s space programme is able to contribute to the benefit of the entire planet,” said Pierre Delsaux, Deputy Director General at the European Commission’s Directorate General for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises.
A ceremonial opening of the exhibition was held on 10 July with remarks from United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo, Deputy Director General at the European Commission’s Directorate General for the Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises Pierre Delsaux, Executive Director of the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency Carlo des Dorides, and Chair of CANEUS International Milind Pimprikar.