On 1 June 2022, the Italian delegation delivered a Statement under item 8 on the Report of the 61st session of the Legal Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) at the 65th session of the COPUOS highlighting the importance of capacity-building, training and education in space law, especially in emerging space countries. In this regard, the Italian delegation mentioned some of the activities carried out by the OSL Team of both Sapienza University of Rome and the Kenya Space Agency within the OSL Project.
Mr Chairman,
The Italian Delegation also confirms its view that Capacity-building training and education in space law continue to be of paramount importance to national, regional, and international efforts for developing the practical aspects of space activities, especially in emerging space countries. Under this agenda item, we provided information on capacity initiatives under the on-going common projects between the Sapienza University of Rome and the Kenyan Space Agency. We can now add that this collaboration led the two partners to organize a Masterclass on Space Law and Policy on “Highlighting the Relevance of Space Law and Policy for Developing Space Ecosystems”, within the Global Conference on Space for Emerging Countries (GLEC 2022), organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), and the Sideralis Foundation, in Quito Ecuador from 16 to 20 May 2022. The Masterclass on Space Law and Policy spurred conversations, created interest in and appreciation for space law and policy in emerging space countries, and initiated discussions on legislation that emerging space countries could consider to guide and support the growth of their nascent space industry.