The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is the UN body responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of outer space. Established in 1958, initially as a small unit and later expanded into a full office in 1962, it serves as the Secretariat for the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). Based in Vienna, Austria, UNOOSA works to ensure that space remains a domain used for peaceful purposes and accessible to all nations, regardless of their level of development. It helps countries build capacity in space science and technology while also promoting the responsible and sustainable use of outer space. The Office plays an important role in implementing and promoting adherence to international treaties such as the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which sets the basic framework of international space law.

 

UNOOSA also supports developing countries by providing technical assistance, training, and access to space data for areas such as disaster management, climate monitoring, and sustainable development. One of its major initiatives, the UN-SPIDER program, helps nations use satellite-based technologies for disaster risk reduction and emergency response. Through partnerships with space agencies, private sector actors, and academic institutions, UNOOSA helps expand opportunities for all countries to participate in the benefits of space exploration. It also coordinates activities related to the long-term sustainability of outer space, including the mitigation of space debris and the promotion of safe space operations. With the rapid growth of the global space economy and the involvement of new players, UNOOSA plays a crucial role in guiding international cooperation and maintaining transparency in space activities. Despite challenges such as increasing militarization and competition in outer space, the Office continues to advocate for fairness, inclusivity, and the principle that outer space should remain the “province of all humankind.”