July 01, 2004

F.R.SARKER ATTENDS 47TH SESSION OF UN.COPUOS

Mr. F. R. Sarker, an eminent Astronomer and the General Secretary of Bangladesh Astronomical Society attended the 47th Session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of the Outer Space (UN.COPUOS) which was held in Vienna, Austria between 2 and 11 June, 2004.

UN.COPUOS is one of the important bodies of the United Nations aimed at keeping Outer Space free from environmental contamination as well as colonialist aggrandizement by the Space faring nations so that people of the planet Earth could make the Space for peaceful uses. Delegates from about 60 countries including Representatives from leading Space related organizations around the world had attended this Meeting to exchange their views and to formulate policies towards acceleration of Space Explorations as well as binding all the Space faring nations within the frame of criteria set forth by the Committee.

It may be mentioned here that although 65 countries are the Members of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of the Outer Space but Bangladesh has yet not obtained Membership with this important body. Mr. Sarker went to attend UN.COPUOS as the Representative of the Spaceweek International Association, Houston, USA, an affiliated organization of the United Nations aimed at the popularization of Space Science among the younger generations around the world. He is the National Co-coordinator in Bangladesh for Spaceweek International Association.

However, Mr. Sarker had a meeting with Dr. Ade Abiudun, the Chairman of the UN.COPUOS as well as with lots of Delegates attending the Session regarding the Membership of Bangladesh with this Committee. He has been assured by all of them that they would extend their fullest supports when Bangladesh formally submits Request for Membership with UN.COPUOS.