Jordan and the United Nations Space2030 Agenda: A Roadmap for Space and Sustainable Development
- Paper ID
59531
- author
- company
International Space University (ISU)
- country
Jordan
- year
2020
- abstract
Jordan has a large youth population, and interest in space is growing in the region. Jordanians with an interest in space currently have to work overseas in order to pursue careers in the space industry, but with the growing space presence in the Middle East, Jordan is in a prime position to invest in the space sector and retain young talent. Jordan is slowly beginning to gain momentum in space, with the first Jordanian satellite recently funded by the Crown Prince Foundation and designed by university students. This paper investigates Jordan’s national strategies and priorities, as well as its role in carrying out the United Nations Space2030 agenda, which aims to use space as a driver for peace. In 2017, Jordan took part in a voluntary review for the UN’s High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, outlining its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Additionally, the Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education for Western Asia, which is based in Jordan, partnered with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs last year to host a workshop aimed at developing global partnership in space exploration and innovation, which resulted in recommendations for the region. The role of the regional groups such as the newly formed Arab Space Cooperation Group is also investigated, in terms of fostering collaborations between Jordan and other emerging space countries in the Middle East, such as the United Arab Emirates. This work also includes an analysis of Jordan's current status pertaining to the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as existing infrastructure and initiatives that may be leveraged to establish Jordan as an emerging space country. Finally, recommendations and a preliminary roadmap linking the objectives of the UN Space2030 Agenda, the SDGs, and Jordan’s national priorities is presented in four categories: Jobs, Economy, and Public Private Partnerships; Education, Science, and Technology; Culture and Society; and Regional and Global Cooperation.