More than 120 delegates representing European institutional stakeholders and industry across the civilian, security and defence domain attended the workshop on ‘Space for Security and Defence’, jointly organised by the European Defence Agency, the European Commission and the European Space Agency in Brussels on 16 September. The Manager of UNOSAT was invited to speak on the UN experience in applying satellite solutions in the context of UN decision making and field support.

Given that effective civil security and defence capabilities are linked to the ability of decision makers to rely on timely, accurate and comprehensive information, the workshop set out to explore common needs in the area of situation awareness with a particular bearing on space.   Key note speakers highlighted the need to deepen the already existing dialogue on space and security among the European Defence Agency, the European Commission, the European Space Agency and the Council Secretariat.     The first Panel, which included UNOSAT, provided decision-makers and operational end-users from the civilian security and defence remit with an opportunity to present their view on the role and use of space in crisis management, civil protection and other complex emergencies. Based on their personal experience, panellists from the EU and the UN underlined their respective needs during military operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief for timely, secure and highly accurate data delivery based on a guaranteed access to relevant Earth Observation and satellite communications assets. Particular emphasis was laid on the aspect of ‘responsiveness’ and the need to deliver relevant information to operational actors on the ground within hours.   For more information on the European Defense Agency, click here