Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency Charter enters into force

• The Agency will serve as the regional body coordinating cooperation in space technology research and its peaceful applications
• Headquartered in Mexico, membership will be open to all interested Latin American and Caribbean nations

The Official Journal of the Federation yesterday published the decree enacting the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) Charter.

The charter was signed on September 18, 2021, during the 6th Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

ALCE will serve as the regional body coordinating cooperation in space technology research and its peaceful applications, to benefit the region's population.

The Agency aims to use regional technological expertise to advance satellite communication systems, enhance early warning systems, develop climate change impact assessments, and improve natural disaster prevention and agricultural monitoring systems.

A core mission of ALCE is to plan and conduct peaceful outer space exploration and research initiatives.

The Agency will build space sector capabilities through academic, technological, and research activities; drive innovation and entrepreneurship and ongoing training; and promote cooperation in technology transfer while encouraging public-private partnerships in the space sector.

ALCE will be headquartered in Mexico, and membership will be open to all interested Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Of the 21 signatory countries, the following have ratified the Charter, becoming founding members of the Agency: Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Venezuela.

The establishment of ALCE is one of Mexico's key achievements as president pro tem of CELAC during the 2020-2021 term.