UNOOSA

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), established in 1958 and based in Vienna, Austria, serves as the leading United Nations entity promoting the peaceful use of outer space. UNOOSA’s core function is not the operation of space infrastructure, but rather the development of international cooperation and legal frameworks governing space activities. This includes maintaining the registration of space objects launched by member states – as evidenced by numerous notifications from countries like Russia, Uruguay, and Portugal – and facilitating discussions on critical issues such as space debris mitigation and the safety of space objects with nuclear power sources.

A key focus for UNOOSA is leveraging space technology to advance the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encapsulated in their “Space2030” Agenda and demonstrated through joint publications with organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization. They achieve this through capacity-building initiatives, including online courses covering space law, policy, and the space economy, and by fostering access to space-based solutions for all nations.

UNOOSA’s work extends to facilitating international workshops – such as those held in Nigeria on space weather – and publishing reports on critical topics within the space sector. While not a space operator, UNOOSA uniquely positions itself as a central coordinating body for international space governance and a promoter of equitable access to the benefits of space technology, serving a vital role for the global space community.