Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly 77 (UNGA77)

This is an online and in person event. 

For in person registration to the physical event being host in New York, please fill in the form above.


Abstract
The world is broken. We as a human race are in a dire situation. The global elite is criticized for spending billions on missions to space when people at home are starving. Can this money be used in a better way? Are the long-term sacrifices worth the short-term pain?

The internet was created to bring people together, yet today it pushes people apart. Emerging technologies such as Virtual Reality and the Metaverse can potentially isolate us as humans even more. If the original internet creators were to create the internet again knowing what they know now, what would they change? How can technology be used to create lasting and genuinely impactful change? How is that change and impact measured?

Is there a way that emerging technologies, and the learnings from space can help us achieve the Sustainable Development Goals?

Join the following luminaries during this event:

• Dr Sian Proctor, member of the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission, and first all civilian mission to orbit. Dr Proctor was the pilot of the Dragon Crew capsule during the mission.  In addition, she is an American geology professor, and science communicator.  
• Mei Lin Fung "Mother of CRM" and Co-Founder of People Centered Internet with Vint Cerf
• Christina Korp, Founder, Space For a Better World, an astronaut manager, space advisor, managed Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin and launched his education foundations – ShareSpace and the Aldrin Family Foundation. 
• Charlie Isaacs | CTO of Customer Connections @ Salesforce
• Scott Cunningham will moderate this session, and is the Co-Founder and CEO of the SDGuild.

This session will explore these and many other topics. We're excited to have you join us for this out of this world conversation! ;)

PLEASE JOIN ONLINE SESSION
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89503886899?pwd=RGNBUTZGQW1qdmJJeU5rUHczeVdvZz09

There are significant Cosmic Threats to humanity, the planet, and to critical space systems. Protection of these space systems is vital to achieving “The Space Agenda 2030” action plan, which is crucial to achieving the 17 Sustainable development goals (SDGs).. Dr. Joseph Pelton will lead an interactive discussion about Cosmic Threats and Hazards, and why global cooperation is essential to our future. Solar storms, asteroids, and space debris are some of the most urgent hazards to be explored.

At 11 am EDT, Dr. Pascale Ehrenfreund will become the Session Moderator, focusing the interactive discussion on the reality that space systems are crucial to achieving the SDGs by 2030, if we are to achieve global sustainability. The many ways in which space systems are addressing environmental dangers, combating climate change, offering disaster relief to natural catastrophes, improving agriculture and forestry, and extending communications, education and health care to underserved areas of the world will be examined and explained by recognized experts.

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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81991297426?pwd=VmVPNnMyNitOVnhJZnYzcnJ5NU1xQT09

The theme of Space Agenda 2030 is “Space Drives Sustainable Development” which positively impacts all 17 SDGs. Thus, there appears to be an ever-growing need for more cooperative space research, global collaboration, technical research and specific programs to address space
Science, technology and civilian development utilization for humanity benefits.  Greater coordination and cooperative research programs among space stakeholders (agencies, industries, academia, public entrepreneurs) of the world are required in these areas.
The organizations represented on the proposed session believe that a long-term “Sustainable Space” action agenda” is necessary to achieving the “Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.” Earth and space sustainability for the long term are inextricably linked as presented in the UN Space Agenda 2030.
The speakers have advocated for a global space exploration strategy from the end of the Cold War with numerous conferences featuring papers such as "Toward a global space exploration program: A stepping stone approach" by Pascale Ehrenfreund and co-authors.  Their sustained effort over decades has resulted in significant coordination among space agencies resulting in better science at lower cost to the benefit of the space research community and humanity. The speakers will discuss key areas where more global cooperation is needed to advance space science, technology and sustainable development of civilian space including commercial space development.  A key challenge is to engage developing countries whose people are keenly interested in space exploration.  New launch technologies as well as advances in miniaturization, materials and computer technology are lower costs and widening opportunities for activities by all countries in outer space. 
Summary of Final Interactive Panel
Most of the discussion of this panel will be on the challenges of space science , technology and civilian development and the long-term sustainability of space and how to meet those challenges. The final 30 minutes will be a highly interactive discussion of issues raised by the speakers and the vision of Space Agenda 2030 that space is the driver of sustainable development and the role of space science , technology and astronautics systems to meet UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85187666220?pwd=b1ZkL3Vhc3JXYW5seWxrNjdwT3d4UT09
Meeting ID: 851 8766 6220
Passcode: 548495



The theme of UN Space Agenda 2030 is “Space Drives Sustainable Development” which positively impacts all 17 SDGs. It was approved by UNGA on 25 October 2021. Latvia has not yet developed a unified strategy to address issues and goals stated in Space Agenda 2030. This session will seek to articulate a strategic vision to achieve that.
Latvia has three observatories of significance to European space sciences: Baldone Astrophysical Observatory, Ventspils Radio Astronomy Centre, and the Geodynamics Observatory in Rīga that is a member of the International Satellite Laser Ranging Network. The other two observatories function in multiple research networks suited to their research facilities. The initiation of the Space Photonics ERA Chair creates the opportunity the develop a European centre of excellence in space sciences that draws upon all of Latvia’s space science capabilities to address challenges such as space debris, threats of space weather extremes including coronal mass ejections from the Sun and asteroid impact. Additionally, the strengthening of space research capacity in Latvia will strengthen the prospects for cooperation not only with European institutions, but also with emerging space research centres in Africa building on relationships that already exist.
Session speakers will present the vision of the development of space sciences in Latvia to 2030 and beyond and how this can fulfill UN Space Agenda 2030 ambitions as well as help to achieve UN climate goals starting with carbon neutrality by 2050.
The objective of the SSUNGA77 is “to develop and launch initiatives that demonstrate global science mechanisms and activities supporting the attainment of the SDGs.” The Latvia space science and technology session will present the existing space research and innovation capacity in Latvia to address UN Sustainable Development and climate change goals and recommend policies and investments required for Latvia to more fully fulfill the promise of its space science vision.