Promotion of the World Space Week at Shahid Beheshti University

Shahid Beheshti University (SBU) with cooperation of Iranian Space Agency, Aero-Space Research Centre, the Institute of Public Law Studies of University of Tehran and United Nations Information Centre held a seminar on space law and outer space on the occasion of World Space week with participation of more than 50 students of international law at the Faculty of Law, Shahid Beheshti University (SBU) on 9 October 2018, AVA Diplomatic reports.

The guests of honour of the seminar were the President of the Institute of Public Law Studies of University of Tehran and Speaker of the Guardian Council Dr Abasali Kadkhodaei, and Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology and the President of Iranian Space Agency Dr Morteza Barari. Research Deputy of SBU Faculty of Law Dr Asadollah Yavari inaugurated the seminar and then five other University professors and experts spoke on outer space, its peaceful uses as well as its legal aspects.

Students were also briefed about the Space Law Moot Court Competitions and how to participate in them. All the winners of one of these competitions as well as the Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Assistant Professor in public international law at the MFA School of International Relations Dr Seyed Hossein Sadat Meidani as the coach of the team, received certificates of appreciation from the guests of honour and organizers of the seminar.

UNIC Reference Assistant Ms Nazanin Ghaemmaghami briefed the participants on finding UN information and documentation on space law and outer space. Among the UN observances from the UN.ORG website, she focused on World Space Week and its 2018 theme: “Space Unites the World”. She also introduced the related documents and resources. Then there was a navigation on Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). Through UNOOSA she introduced and navigated the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). Talking about space law and treaties, she introduced a compilation booklet that includes UN Treaties and Principles on Outer Space, related General Assembly Resolutions and other documents. Space law publications were also discussed.

Workshops “Finding UN Information and Documentation” are regularly organized by the UNIC for all interested groups.