Background: The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) was established by the UN General Assembly in 1959 to review international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, study space-related activities that could be undertaken by the United Nations, encourage space research programs, and study legal issues arising from the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.
The 66th session of COPUOS will serve as a multilateral forum for 103 COPUOS members to discuss important issues concerning outer space. The United States delegation, led by the Department of State and comprised of representatives from multiple federal agencies, will participate in the discussions and represent U.S. interests. Items on the provisional COPUOS agenda set out in UN document A/77/20 include:
- Ways and means of maintaining outer space for peaceful purposes
- Space and sustainable development
- Spin-off benefits of space technology
- Space and water
- Space and climate change
- Space exploration and innovation
Request: In alignment with the Department of State’s notice on “Private Sector Participation in Domestic and International Events on Spaceflight Safety, Sustainability, and Emerging Markets in Outer Space” of December 20, 2022 (87 FR 77911), the U.S. Department of State is seeking qualified individuals to participate as private sector advisors on the U.S. delegation to the 66th session of COPUOS. Interested individuals should:
- Have experience working in the space sector;
- Currently work for a U.S. company, non-governmental organization, or academic institution that focuses on space issues; and
- Have expertise and relevant experience in at least one of the agenda items listed above.
If selected, an individual will participate on the U.S. delegation throughout the COPUOS session. Private sector advisors may be invited to attend delegation meetings, provide informed viewpoints to the delegation on relevant topics, and attend relevant sessions or other informal meetings of the 66th COPUOS session.
Logistics:
- The 66th session of COPUOS is scheduled to meet May 31 to June 9, 2023 in-person at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria.
- There will be two, three-hour sessions of the plenary each weekday. Attendance at the plenary sessions is at the participant’s discretion.
- Participants will not receive compensation for their time or travel expenses.
- Consistent with current policy, participants may not be, nor have been at any time during the previous 12 months, registered lobbyists as defined by 2 USC § 1601 et. seq.
- Participation is subject to the provisions of Public Notice 665: Participation of Private Sector Representatives on U.S. Delegations (44 FR 17846).
- There may be additional opportunities to participate in side events and workshops during the meeting.
How to Participate:
To express interest in participating as a private sector advisor on the U.S. delegation, please submit the following material by April 28, 2023:
- A brief description of your organization (max 300 words);
- An explanation of why you would like to participate on the delegation to the 66th session of COPUOS and how your experience and expertise are relevant to the work of COPUOS (max 500 words); and
- A curriculum vitae.
Please e-mail the above materials to FRN-11940@state.gov.
The expressions of interest will be reviewed and individuals will be informed if they are invited to participate on the delegation by May 5, 2023.
Additional Opportunity: Deliver a Technical Presentation During COPUOS:
Request: The U.S. delegation is also seeking expressions of interest to deliver a technical presentation on the role of the private sector in one of the following topics:
- Space and sustainable development
- Space and climate change
- Space exploration and innovation
If selected, the presentation will be:
- Limited to 12 minutes in length;
- Delivered in person during the “Technical Presentations” slot of the plenary. Preference can be given to the afternoon sessions for virtual presentations; and
- Approved by the head of the U.S. delegation in advance of the presentation.
If you wish to be considered for a technical presentation, please e-mail the following information – in addition to the material listed above for private sector advisors – to FRN-11940@state.gov with the words “Technical Presentation” in the subject line of your e-mail:
- A brief description of the focus of your proposed presentation and how it addresses topics under discussion at the 66th session of COPUOS (max 300 words).