The European Space Agency’s Work with Developing Countries

Abstract

The European Space Agency has, since its beginning, had relations with developing countries. In the 1970’s, they were very much focused on introducing the METEOSAT programme to African countries, as these were in the coverage zone of satellites. Training courses were organised in African countries in order to present meteorological satellite data. Later on, when ESA was preparing the launch of its ERS satellite, training events were organised in developing countries in order to introduce the new technology and to show how satellite remote sensing radar data could be tools in the development process of these countries. These training events have been made on an ad hoc basis, together with national or international entities. Similarly, ESA contributes to the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs training programme for developing countries.

Later, increased awareness among ESA’s member states concerning satellite technology for development purposes led to the following actions. At a Ministerial Conference in November 1995, the Ministers representing ESA’s member states requested the Director General of ESA to look into space applications with developing countries in order to see how these countries could benefit from the programmes developed by ESA. In response, the Ad-Hoc Working Group on Developing Countries was created by ESA’s International Relations Committee and asked to draft a report. Following this report, the International Relations Committee recommended that ESA’s Council ask the Director General to set up a Coordination Group on Developing Countries. The Coordination Group has included representatives from the different ESA programmes and has been asked to produce recommendations on how developing countries could benefit from ESA programmes. These recommendations will be presented to the member states for their endorsement.