Shillong (Meghalaya), Apr 12 : Under India’s G20 Presidency, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) of Department of Space (DOS) is organising the precursor event of the fourth edition of “Space Economy Leaders Meeting (SELM)”, with active support from Government of Meghalaya and India’s Ministry of External Affairs during April 17-18, 2023 at Hotel Courtyard Marriott.
Ambassadors/ High Commissioners and senior diplomats of G20 and Invited countries are participating in this event.
Space Technology based inputs and services have becoming part of our normal day-to-day life and contribution of space in the growth of global economy is ever increasing. This has prompted the space agencies of G20 countries to work for including ‘space’ as an agenda in G20 Summits. With this objective, Space agencies of Saudi Arabia, Italy and Indonesia organised earlier editions of SELM since 2020.
Under India’s G20 Presidency, ISRO is organsing the fourth SELM precursor event with the theme: “SELM: towards a new space ERA (Economy, Responsibility, Alliance)”. This theme is in line with India’s G20 Summit’s theme of ‘One Earth, One Space, and One Future’, as we need vital alliance of responsible space actors to enhance the contribution of Space economy in global economy.
Government of Meghalaya led by the Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma is actively associated in organising this important event at Shillong.
Shillong has been carefully selected to host this meeting, considering the fact that North Eastern Region (NER), with its challenging terrain and accessibility, has been greatly benefitted by the use of space technology applications. Shillong also hosts the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), a joint initiative of DOS and North Eastern Council (NEC). This centre has the mandate to play the catalytic role in holistic development of NER by providing space science and technology support. The programmes, policies and developmental initiatives of NESAC are governed by NESAC Society, for which the Hon’ble Home Minister of Government of India/ Chairman, NEC is the President.
The Shillong event is aimed at creating awareness on latest trends in contribution of space to the global economy among the high level diplomats of G20 and Invited countries and also to brief them on the SELM event to be organised at Bengaluru in July 2023.
The Shillong event will have an Exhibition, wherein prominent Indian Space Industries, apart from ISRO will show case their products and services. Government of Meghalaya will also showcase its rich cultural heritage. The delegates will also have an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Shillong and Meghalaya as part of this event.
Ambassadors/ High Commissioners and senior diplomats of more than 15 nations and Senior officials of MEA, DOS and Government of Meghalaya are participating in this event.
Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Ministers of State of Government of India, Chairman, ISRO/ Secretary, DOS , Chairman, IN-SPACe and G 20 Sherpa will participate in the inauguration. This space event at Shillong would help in further proliferation of space technology applications in this region and enhanced participation of space industries and start-ups.
This precursor event at Shillong will be followed by the fourth edition of SELM event at Bengaluru during July 6-7, 2023 with participation from the Heads of National Space Agencies and leaders of space industries of G20 and Guest nations. The deliberations at Shillong event would be useful to attract Heads of Space Agencies and Space Industries for the Bengaluru event in July ,2023.
