The UN Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Commonwealth sign historic joint declaration on space cooperation for sustainable development

UNIS/OS/604
12 June 2025

VIENNA, 12 June (UN Information Service) - The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Commonwealth Secretariat have signed a landmark Joint Declaration to deepen cooperation on space-based solutions for sustainable development, as an implementation initiative under the MoU signed between Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohamed and the Commonwealth in 2019.

This initiative will enable Commonwealth nations - particularly those most vulnerable to climate change and disasters - to access satellite data, build capacity in space technologies, space law and policy, and harness digital innovations to meet local and regional challenges. The Joint Declaration outlines a shared commitment to deploy practical, targeted space-enabled solutions and to jointly mobilize resources that enhance resilience, environmental stewardship, and inclusive socio-economic growth.

The signing ceremony, held at Marlborough House in London, was attended by Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of UNOOSA, and Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Both leaders emphasized the importance of this strategic partnership in ensuring that space technologies contribute meaningfully to the lives of people across the Commonwealth.

Under the Joint Declaration, UNOOSA and the Commonwealth Secretariat will collaborate on a range of activities, including:

• Conducting technical advisory missions and capacity-building to support disaster preparedness, ocean monitoring, climate resilience, and sustainable urban planning.
• Providing expert guidance on space law and policy to strengthen regulatory environments and support national space capabilities.
• Promoting the participation of Commonwealth nations in global space governance, including membership in the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
• Empowering women and youth through initiatives such as UNOOSA's Space4Women and Space4Youth, and the Commonwealth's gender-responsive climate action networks.
• Leveraging the upcoming UN Satellite Imagery Coordination Platform to ensure that Commonwealth countries benefit from affordable and timely access to high-resolution space data.

UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini said: "This is a decisive step towards democratizing access to space tools and making sure that the Commonwealth family - home to some of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations - can lead with data, science, and innovation."

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, said: "I believe the Commonwealth can turn around the fortunes of its people. When we help a country predict a climate disaster or secure funding to safeguard coastal communities, it matters. That is why this agreement with UNOOSA is critical. With this partnership we are building on the successes of our CommonSensing work, our forward-leaning Blue Charter action groups, and the Living Lands Charter's commitment to future generations."

As part of the collaboration, the participants will also launch a new initiative under the Commonwealth Blue Charter and the Space4Ocean Alliance, of which UNOOSA is a founding member, at the UN Ocean Conference in June 2025, harnessing space technology to address coastal challenges and marine sustainability. Additionally, training and knowledge exchange will be supported through the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub and the Living Lands Charter to accelerate progress toward global climate goals.

The Joint Declaration enters into effect immediately and reflects a common objective of leaving no nation behind in the space era.

Launch of Cutting-Edge Digital Twins for Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago

As its first contribution to the Commonwealth, UNOOSA unveiled a digital twin and flood simulation model for Ghana, with a similar model under development for Trinidad and Tobago. These cutting-edge tools use satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to enhance disaster preparedness and urban resilience in areas exposed to rising sea levels, climate change, flash flooding, and ocean warming.

Developed in collaboration with SpaceData Inc., Maxar Technologies, and other partners, the project delivers:

• Ultra-high-resolution digital models of urban environments;
• Flood simulation videos showing the real-time impacts of climate events and street-level flooding;
• Geographic Information System (GIS) datasets to support strategic infrastructure planning and emergency response.

Flood simulation videos are available on YouTube here:

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For more information, please contact:

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Email: unoosa[at]un.org