The Diplomat
The Ibero-American Network of Aerospace Agencies, an initiative coordinated by the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI) to promote collaborative work in aerospace science in Ibero-America, was launched last Tuesday. This is the first network of this nature in the region.
The network is made up of the National Commission for Space Activities (CONAE) of Argentina, the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), the Colombian Space Agency (AEC), the Costa Rican Space Agency (AEC), the Mexican Space Agency (AEM), the Paraguayan Space Agency (AEP), the National Commission for Aerospace Research and Development (CONIDA) of Peru, the Portuguese Space Agency, the Bolivarian Agency for Space Activities (ABAE) of Venezuela, and the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE). The Spanish satellite operator Hispasat and the Ministry of Agricultural Development of Panama will be observers.
In a virtual act presided over by Mariano Jabonero, secretary general of the OEI, the representatives of the Ibero-American aerospace agencies signed the act of constitution of the network which, among other purposes, aims to be a meeting point for the promotion of shared projects that generate social and environmental impact throughout Ibero-America.
To this end, the network will count on the collaboration of universities and research centers that can contribute to its mission, and will build bridges of collaboration especially with the aerospace technology and services industry to promote its development. “This network is an ideal tool for sharing knowledge and is a magnificent opportunity, even more so in a region as extensive as Ibero-America, since with the network we will be able to easily reach any point. We have the technological maturity to undertake projects like this,” said Jabonero.
At the Ibero-American High-Level Forum on Science and Technology, held by the OEI last October in Buenos Aires, Ibero-American science and technology ministers and authorities analyzed the situation of the region’s scientific systems and determined actions to strengthen cooperation in science, where the development of space research played a prominent role.
From the agreements reached at the forum, the constitution of this network of agencies specializing in aerospace sciences was established, which aspires to position itself as one of the most important references for scientific cooperation at the international level. To this end, the IEO will coordinate the network through its main scientific bodies, such as the Observatory of Science, Technology and Society (OCTS), based in Argentina, and the Center for Innovation and Digital Transformation, based in Colombia.
During the forum, the OEI put on the table the need to invest more in science, especially after the loss from 0.69% to 0.65% suffered in the participation of this area in the regional GDP due to the pandemic, as Mariano Jabonero warned the authorities present. “Science must occupy a relevant place in the policies of our countries. Now, after these difficult years, the social value of science has been demonstrated,” he said.
