United Nations Satellite Applications Providing Essential Data for Aid Delivery, Disaster Risk Preparedness, Secretary-General Says on Programme’s Anniversary

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the event marking 15 years of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT), in New York today:

Greetings and congratulations to all the participants and partners at this special event.  I particularly thank the Centre for the Advancement of Science in Space and the Government of Norway.

UNITAR and the Operational Satellite Applications Programme have been giving outstanding support to the United Nations System and its Member States for 15 years.

I was deeply impressed when I visited the Operational Satellite Applications UNOSAT at CERN [European Organization for Nuclear Research] three years ago.

You provide vital data and images to get humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable.  Your data and analysis help communities prepare for floods and other natural disasters.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes risk management, prevention and building resilient communities.  UNOSAT will have a vital role to play over the next 15 years, as we work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.  Happy birthday, UNOSAT.