A/CONF. 184/C.2/L. 
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Voi. XXXII Part 7C2, UNISPACE III, Vienna, 1999 
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Distr.: Limited 
23 July 1999 
Original: 
THIRD UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE 
ON THE EXPLORATION AND PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE 
Vienna 
19-30 July 1999 
Committee II 
Agenda item 8 
Status and applications of space science and technology 
Technical Forum 
Conclusions and proposals of the Seminar on Environment and Remote Sensing 
for Sustainable Development 
1. The Seminar on Environment and Remote Sensing for Sustainable 
Development focused on the application of space remote sensing science and 
technology to issues of importance to developing countries, such as agriculture, 
infrastructure, environment and decision-making, from the perspective of 
Governments and private space technology providers, as well as from that of regional 
representatives of the user community. 
2. During the Seminar eight panel members made presentations describing 
existing programmes and future missions planned with a view to providing data and 
information products and the potential value of those products to developing 
countries. Subsequently, participants discussed with members of the panel issues 
concerning remote sensing and sustainable development. 
3. Both the presentations and the subsequent discussion revolved around issues 
that condition the ability of developing countries to make full use of remote sensing 
data and information products. Those issues were as follows: 
(a) Limitations in the capacity available in developing countries in terms of 
hardware, software and human resources; 
(b) Problems of data pricing, access and standards; 
(c) New missions by “space-faring” nations that were likely to have an 
adverse effect on both of the above factors; 
(d) New models for the exploitation of remote sensing that had emerged in 
Brazil and India. 
4. The Seminar made the following recommendations for incorporation in the text 
of the draft report of the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and 
Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III) (A/CONF. 184/3 and Corr.l and 2): 
Paragraph 139