Portugal launches international programme to support countries with the definition of space strategies

The UN-Portugal Outer Space Fellowship was officially launched this Monday at the Permanent Mission of Portugal to the United Nations headquarters in New York. It is an international capacity-building programme to support developing countries (including Small Island Developing States and Landlocked Developing Countries) in formulating and implementing space strategies.

Promoted by the Portuguese Space Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Camões Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua, the initiative includes a partnership with UNOOSA (United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). The first edition of this programme will host 20 to 25 technical and diplomatic personnel from those countries.

This programme aims to train a new generation of technical and diplomatic personnel, promoting more qualified participation in international forums linked to the governance of outer space. By providing an immersive experience with direct contact with both Portuguese and international entities, the programme seeks to encourage the creation of public space policies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, reinforcing the role of space as a tool for economic, social, and environmental transformation.

Many countries view Portugal as a model for how it has developed and executed its space strategy. This type of space programme, particularly when aimed at education and the training of human resources, drives investment and innovation, directly enhancing institutional capacities. This specific programme offers a tangible contribution, rooted in Portuguese experience, to fostering international cooperation and aiding other nations in shaping their space strategies,” says Hugo André Costa, Executive Director of the Portuguese Space Agency.

The President of Camões IP, Ambassador Florbela Paraíba, reinforces the notion that “the funding of the “Bolsas Mais Mundo” Programme is a substantial and lasting contribution to the implementation of the Portuguese Cooperation Strategy 2030 and the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, due to the areas it focuses on, the principle of partnership that underlies it and the collaborative format with governments, civil society and the private sector that frames it.”

“This Fellowship is more than a training programme. It is a bridge that connects nations, builds capacity, and empowers a new generation of leaders in space policy and governance”, says UNOOSA director Aarti Hola-Maini. “By focusing on high-level officials from developing countries, this initiative ensures that the benefits of space are shared widely and inclusively.”

The UNOOSA director recalls that this Fellowship will explore UNOOSA’s current vision and strategy, particularly the One Moon for All project, the Global Space Law Toolkit, and the UN SPIDER programme for disaster and emergency response. “I extend my deep appreciation to the Government of Portugal for their unwavering commitment to international cooperation in space,” said Aarti Hola-Maini.

The launch of the UN-Portugal Outer Space Fellowship reinforces a national strategy focused on knowledge, capacity development, and international cooperation in the field of space. In line with this vision, the Centre for Space Politics and Diplomacy (CPDE) was recently established, a pioneering initiative by the School of Social and Political Sciences (ISCSP) at the University of Lisbon, which aims to consolidate critical mass, promote interdisciplinary research, and contribute to the formulation of public policies in the sector. This new centre will enable Portugal to position itself as a hub for reflection and capacity enhancement at the intersection of science, diplomacy, and international development.