September 18-21, 2001
Beijing, People's Republic of China

The 6th Asia Pacific Conference on Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications (6th APC-MCSTA) was held in Beijing from September 18 to 21, 2001. China National Space Administration (CNSA) hosted the Conference. Representatives from People's Republic of Bangladesh, Canada, People's Republic of China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Russia Federation, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UN/OOSA), United Nations Economic and Social Council for Asia Pacific (UN/ESCAP) participated in the conference.

Notwithstanding the diversity of political, economic, scientific and technological standards in different countries of the Asia Pacific Region, especially in the level of development of space technology and its applications, there is a common desire of using space technology and its applications, for the support of national economic development for the benefit of all people at national and regional level. Through international cooperation and pooling of resources, each country could benefit from telecommunication, navigation, remote sensing, meteorology, disaster mitigation and environmental control,

Bearing in mind the Asia Pacific Workshop on Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications in December 1992, in Beijing, and the subsequent Asia Pacific Conferences on Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications in Thailand, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Bahrain, and Iran, has promoted the mutual understanding and trust while enlarged the space cooperation and exchange in this region. With the active support and effort from all member countries, the institutionalization and regional space cooperation projects could be further enhanced,

Consequent to the signing of the "Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Cooperation in Small Multi-Mission Satellite (SMMS) Project and other Related Activities" on April 22, 1998 in Bangkok, Thailand, by China, Iran, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan, Thailand, and the subsequent signing of this MOU by Bangladesh, five Project Committee Meetings were held during May 1998 to May 2001 and the final plan for initiation of the SMMS project has been confirmed. The SMMS Project will be greatly conducive to the AP-MCSTA institutionalization process, and eventually expedite the space technology and its application capabilities in this region,

Confirming that the common ground reached in the past five Conferences on AP-MCSTA, especially the progress made in the SMMS project, through mutual efforts of the member countries, the AP-MCSTA has established an effective coordination mechanism - the Liaison Committee for AP-MCSTA (LCAP-MCSTA) and Preparation Committee for Asia Pacific Space Mechanism (PREPCOM for APSCOM) and its Secretariat. Substantial progress has been made in the institutionalization of the AP-MCSTA initiative,

Realizing to further promote the space cooperation in the Asia Pacific Region, especially among the developing countries, the institutionalization of the AP-MCSTA initiative has to be further strengthened. All countries in the Asia Pacific region are encouraged to participate in the development policy drafting, space science and technology development and its applications,

The Conference Recommends:

1. Cooperation in space technology, space application and space science should be further strengthened with special attention to expedite the SMMS project. This would be greatly conducive to the institutionalization of AP-MCSTA initiative. At the same time, more countries are encouraged to become members of the Liaison Committee for AP-MCSTA and to participate in the SMMS project through the signing of MOU. Promoting space technology applications to implement the recommendation of the UNISPACE III and to maintain sustainable economical development of countries in this region.

2. the Liaison Committee for AP-MCSTA compliments the active role of its Coordinator since 1993. Taking into account that the establishment of a space cooperation mechanism would be a long-term goal for AP-MCSTA initiative, that China has been the Coordinator of the Liaison Committee, that its Office has been established in Beijing, and that the PREPCOM for APSCOM has also been in Beijing, it has been proposed that the Secretariat should be revitalized. Member countries unanimously recognize the urgency of having a permanent location and contacts for the better coordination among member countries for all issues related to AP-MCSTA. The Conference appreciates the offer made by China to, for the time being, assume the funding and personnel responsibilities for a new Secretariat for AP-MCSTA. The Secretariat shall be responsible for the implementation of decisions and recommendations of the AP-MCSTA Conferences and routine matters, and function as the Secretariat of PREPCOM for APSCOM and the Coordinator of the LCAP-MCSTA and other related activities. The Secretariat will be located in Beijing until member countries are able to bear some of the responsibilities of the Secretariat.

3. In order to maximize the benefit of space related education, and to minimize investment and expense, countries in this region are encouraged to support and provide training for other interested countries in space science, space technology and space application capabilities. It was also agreed that public awareness of space should be further popularized and facilities in member countries of the AP-MCSTA shall be considered for full utilization to host training courses. Tele-education should be further promoted. Therefore, AP-MCSTA shall establish an Asia-Pacific Space Education Center as per Constitution approved by member countries of AP-MCSTA. The Conference appreciates the offer made by China to provide necessary funding for the preparation phase of this Center and coordinate with member countries through the Secretariat office of AP-MCSTA.

4. To further facilitate the activities and other potential cooperation possibilities, a neutral Asia-Pacific Astronautic Society (appropriate names to be decided) may be established, whose status, functions and membership shall be agreed upon by the member countries of the AP-MCSTA. Its members shall be appointed through agreed formalities in its Constitution with emphasis given to high quality and standards.

5. An ad-hoc Group shall be constituted for the preparation of the guideline for the establishment of Asia-Pacific Education Center for Space and Asia-Pacific Astronautic Society (appropriate names to be decided). China will prepare the draft mission constitution, organization, function, charter, and terms of reference for both proposals. The ad-hoc Group comprising a representative from each member country shall be established to study the draft and put up recommendations.

6. Encourage the LCAP-MCSTA to strengthen its relations with the UN/OOSA and UN/ESCAP for the implementation of related issues.

7. It has been recommended that the 7th APC-MCSTA will be held in Thailand, subject to approval of the Thai Government. Pakistan also offered to host the Conference.

The participating members of LCAP-MCSTA have unanimously adopted the above recommendations on September 20, 2001.