15th European Space Conference - The G&A Program Coordinator recalls that space cooperation between Africa and Europe is an obligation for the 2 continents, historically and geographically the closest

On January 24 and 25 2023 was held in Brussels and online the 15th European Space Conference. The African Union, in the person of the Coordinator of the GMES Program and Africa Dr. Ouattara, and of the Coordinator of the ClimSa Programme Dr Joly, were invited to participate in the forum and in bilateral meetings with their European partners

(Courtesy of EUMETSAT, Vincent GABAGLIO) 

This year, the theme of the Conference was "Securing Europe's Future in Space". Throughout the different sessions, the two days were an opportunity for information sharing and rich debates, informal meetings, and high-level networking.

Sessions #3 and #4 focused on the European space domain in the face of new geopolitical, economic, industrial and technological realities. Session #14 was devoted to deepening space cooperation between Europe, Africa and Latin America.

(Courtesy of SpaceWatch, https://spacewatch.global/)

The speakers of the Session#14 were

• Jolanda van Eijndthoven, Head of Unit International Relations and Communication, DG DEFIS, European Commission
• Tomasz Husak, Adviser Digital Agenda and Data Technologies, European Commission
• Rune Floberghagen, Head of Science, Applications and Climate Department, ESA
• Manuel Heitor, Chairperson and coordinator, k4P Alliances, Portugal
• Tidiane Ouattara, Space Science Expert and GMES & Africa Support Program Coordinator, African Union Commission
• Emiliano Kargieman, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder Satellogic
• Rodrigo Leonardi, Coordinator of Satellites and Applications, Brazilian Space Agency
• Bryan Dean, Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder, Dragonfly Aerospace.

More about speakers ? https://spaceconference.eu/speakers

During the session#14, Tidiane Ouattara replied a question about how Cooperation with Europe is contributing to achieve the objectives sought by the African Union Commission or the various african countries? 

On the sides of the Conference, the AU representatives highlighted the success of space cooperation between the 2 continents over the last 20 to 25 years. This cooperation has led to numerous and diversified tangible results, which they explained.

They also stressed that it is imperative to take into account the changing socio-political and economic paradigm in Africa and Europe, to build on the successes, lessons learned and good practices of past and present programs, to achieve mutually beneficial results for both continents and their citizens. 

Links

• To discover Dr Ouattara intervention: G&A Stream ou G&A YouTube, The full session 14 on YouTube
• Space in Africa: https://africanews.space/excerpt-from-the-15th-european-space-conference-promoting-and-leveraging-the-partnerships-between-africa-and-europe/