The UN commemorated the role of space exploration in advancing sustainable development during the celebrations of the International Day of Human Space Flight.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, UN General Assembly President, delivered statements to mark the Day.
12 April 2012: On the 50th anniversary of human spaceflight, UN officials celebrated the contribution of human space science and technology in achieving sustainable development.
The International Day of Human Space Flight marked the flight of Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin on 12 April 1961, becoming the first human to go to space. In his remarks to mark the Day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted that space science and technology have helped transform approaches to solving climate change, food security, global health, humanitarian assistance and more. He urged countries to foster more international partnerships and innovations in this area.
To commemorate the Day, astronauts, space scientists, creative writers and young people gathered at the UN Headquarters in New York, US, to discuss ways in which space exploration can tackle challenges on Earth. Mutlaq Al-Qahtani, Chief of Staff of the President of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), delivered a statement on behalf of Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, UNGA President, underlining that “space and technology are integral for advancing our sustainable development goals and increasing the well-being and quality of people’s lives.”
The event was organized by the UN Academic Impact (UNAI). [UN Press Release] [UNGA President’s Remarks] [UN Secretary-General’s Remarks] [International Day of Human Space Flight Webpage]