On November 29th, 2017, the 3rd Meeting of the Governing Board of Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (China) was held at the Conference Center of New Main Building, Beihang University. The meeting was hosted by Mr. Tang Dengjie, Chairperson of the Governing Board of the Centre and Administrator of China National Space Administration (CNSA). Mr. Luc St-Pierre, Chief of the Space Applications Section of UNOOSA, nine (9) Governing Board Members/representatives from Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Peru and Venezuela, representative from Royal Thai Embassy, Mr. Xu Huibin, Director of the Advisory Committee of the Centre and President of Beihang University, Mr. Tao Zhi, Director of the Centre and Vice President of Beihang University, Mr. Weng Jingnong, Executive Director of the Centre and Dean of International School, Beihang University were in attendance.

At the meeting, the Governing Board elected its new Chairperson, confirmed the adjustment of four (4) Governing Board Members, reviewed and approved Rules of Procedure of the Governing Board (2017) and Working Rules of the Advisory Committee, Biennial Work Report 2016-2017 of RCSSTEAP and Biennial Work Plan 2018-2019 of RCSSTEAP, and finalized the time and venue of the next regular Governing Board Meeting.

Mr. Luc St-Pierre, Chief of the Space Applications Section of UNOOSA, delivered a speech on “Capacity-Building for the 21st Century” at the meeting. In the report, he mainly talked about the work plan and development vision of the 21st Century’s capacity-building, which provided excellent ideas for promoting space capacity-building and guide-lines for the future development of the Centre. In addition, he gave high praise to the Centre, appreciating the innovative ideas, excellent training programmes and various outreach activities. He also hoped that the Centre would deepen the international cooperation, promote the establishment of Alliance of Regional Centres (ARC), encourage resource sharing and peaceful use of space technology, and become the model of the Regional Centres.

The representatives of the Contracting Parties fully affirmed the Centre’s work report and work plan, and appreciated the Centre for its contribution to space education and international cooperation. They considered it as an important platform of information sharing and competence improving in the field of space science and technology. It was grateful for the high attention paid by the Chinese Government, strong support of Beihang University and hard work of the staff. They also expressed their willingness to be involved in the work of the Centre. They hoped that China would help more developing countries to cultivate high-quality and professional talents in the field of space science and technology through the platform of the Centre, promoting space development for the benefit of all humankind.

Mr. Xu Huixin, Director of the Advisory Committee of the Centre and President of Beihang University, thanked the support of UNOOSA, Chinese Government and the Contracting Parties. He said, as the year 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of the first United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, the Centre should take this as a new start, seizing the opportunity of the “Belt and Road Initiative”. The Centre will continue exploring and forging ahead with further cooperation and innovation. The Centre will focus on team building, education and training, capacity building, visibility promotion to achieve sustainable development, seeking to make a greater contribution to the peaceful exploration and uses of outer space. It will integrate leading subjects of Beihang University with the good educational resources at home and aboard to encourage better development of the Centre and to better serve the demand of other countries on exploring and using of the outer space.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. TANG Dengjie, Chairperson of the Governing Board, appreciated the supports of UNOOSA, the Contracting Parties, the partners and Beihang University. He hoped that the Centre would enhance the exchange and cooperation with UNOOSA, the Contracting Parties and the other Regional Centres, encourage space technology sharing and capacity building, and promote the establishment of ARC to contribute to space capacity-building in developing countries. He also expressed sincere hope that the Contracting Parties would continue to support and participate in the construction and operation of the Centre, and together with the Centre to make more contribution to the peaceful exploration and uses of outer space.

On the evening of November 28th, Reception for the 3rd Anniversary of RCSSTEAP was held by China National Space Administration (CNSA) and the Centre. Mr. Tian Yulong, Secretary General of CNSA, Mr. Xu Huibin, Director of the Advisory Committee of the Centre and President of Beihang University, Mr. Luc St-Pierre, Chief of the Space Application Section of UNOOSA, Mr. Lansari Abdeldjelil, Director of International Cooperation of Algerian Space Agency (ASAL) made speeches respectively. The Award Ceremony was then held, Outstanding Partnership 2017, Outstanding Teacher 2017 and Outstanding Volunteer 2017 were awarded at the reception. The reception was immersed in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The guests expressed their thanks to the Centre for its positive contribution to space capacity building and hoped that it would strive for further progress.

On the morning of November 30th, a technical visit to Chinese Academy of Space Technology and China Centre Resources Satellite Data and Application was organized by the Centre. The representatives spoke highly of the high speed development of China Aerospace and showed their great interest in working with China to promote the peaceful use of space technologies for the benefit of all humankind.