The International Symposium on the Peaceful Use of Space Technology - Health (IPSPACE) is a large-scale international symposium jointly supported by seven international space organizations, including the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). It has been held annually for five consecutive years. A few days ago, the organizers of IPSPACE and the heads of major international space organizations held a preparatory meeting for the 6th IPSPACE in Beijing.

Leaders from major space organizations, scientific research teams and industry associations from China, the United States, and Europe attended the meeting. The meeting decided that IPSPACE 2023 will be held from November 18 to 20, with Beijing, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hainan, and Chongqing as main venue options and sub-venues in the United States and Europe. The purpose of the symposium is "One Space, One Home" and the theme is "Scientific Research, Technological Innovation, and Science Popularization".

The symposium is co-hosted by the International Peace Alliance (Space), Chinese Society of Astronautics (CSA), China High-Tech Industrialization Association (CHIA), China Association of Remote Sensing Applications (CARSA), China Electronics Chamber of Commerce (CECC), etc. Leaders of seven international organizations which are influential and active in the space community, namely, the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Space Foundation, Association of Space Explorers (ASE), International Space University (ISU), Rice University’s Baker Institute’s International Space Medicine Summit (ISMS), George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations, and leaders of IPSPACE strategic partners - China Communications Industry Association (CCIA), GNSS & LBS Association of China (GLAC), China Chamber of Commerce for Import & Export of Machinery & Electronic Products (CCCME), serve as Co-Chairs of the symposium.

It is worth noting that in the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly adopted at the 52nd plenary meeting of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly on December 12, 2022, it was officially announced that the International Peace Alliance (Space) (“IPA”), the organizer of IPSPACE, was confirmed as an observer of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS). IPA’s legal status was officially defined in the form of a United Nations document in 2023.

Lin Zongtang, IPSPACE Honorary Chair and former Minister of Aerospace Industry of China, delivered remarks: “The holding of the symposium has gained wide support, and I hope that the sixth conference will reach even greater achievements with the joint efforts and support of all parties.”

Jean-Michel Contant, Secretary-General of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA)

Jean-Michel Contant, IPSPACE Co-Chair and Secretary-General of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), expressed the hope that the outstanding achievements of scientists from all over the world would be gathered through IPSPACE, organized and published as soon as possible, so as to actively promote academic exchanges among space scientists and show more achievements of the symposium to the world.

Steve Eisenhart, Senior Vice President - Strategic & International Affairs, Space Foundation

Steve Eisenhart, IPSPACE Co-Chair, Senior Vice President - Strategic & International Affairs, Space Foundation, said that IPSPACE deepened understanding between countries. He emphasized to pay attention to the benefits of space technology to the public, promote space education and popular science for young people, and jointly build a bridge for global space cooperation.

Andy Turnage, Co-chair of the symposium and Executive Director of the Association of Space Explorers (ASE), said that more and more enterprises are involved in the utilization of space resources, he hopes to discuss and solve the problem of crowded space through the platform of IPSPACE.

Bao Weimin, Vice-Chairman of China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA)

Bao Weimin, Vice-Chairman of China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), suggested that IPSPACE Plenary Session has a few fixed themes and continues to expand its global influence via inviting high-level scientists as speakers.

Pascale Ehrenfreund, President of the International Space University (ISU), Board Member of Space Foundation

Pascale Ehrenfreund, IPSPACE Co-Chair, President of the International Space University (ISU), expressed the hope that the popularization of space science would cover more young people and train more young talents in the field of space applications.

Yang Baohua, IPSPACE Co-Chair, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Academy of Astronautics and Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), said that the “Zhuhai Declaration” formed at the symposium in 2019 held in Zhuhai was a milestone. After three years of COVID-19 pandemic situation in China, he hoped that the 6^th IPSPACE would become a more fruitful meeting and reach new significant milestones.

Yang Baohua (left), Vice Chairman of the Chinese Academy of Astronautics (CSA) and Academician of the International Academy of Astronautic (IAA)s; Wang Tianyi (middle), Executive Chairman of the International Peace Alliance (Space) and Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA); Olivier Contant (right), Executive Director of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and Co-Editor of Acta Astronautica

Neil Bush, Chairman of George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations said, IPSPACE proves to the world that global issues can be resolved peacefully.

Ding Wenfeng, IPSPACE Co-Chair, Co-Chair of the Special Fund for the Peaceful Use of Space Technology expressed his willingness to better and more comprehensively support IPSPACE and let the fund play a more positive role in the symposium.

"Under the current global situation, IPSPACE highlights the value of peace and cooperation for all humankind." Wang Tianyi, Executive Chairman of the International Peace Alliance (Space) and Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), said that the 6th IPSPACE will highlight the symposium even more as a platform led by scientists, for exchanges and cooperation among entrepreneurs, educators, and organizations. It will combine scientific and technological innovation and industry and finance through the International Innovation Research Institute (IIRI) and funds and carry out popular science and health education for young people through the establishment of education and popular science alliances. The International Peace Alliance (Space) will give full play to the role of UN COPUOS observer organization and strive to promote the globalization of the peaceful use of space technology.

Dr. Henry Kissinger, a globally renowned strategist, diplomat, thinker, and former U.S. Secretary of State, has been constantly contributing to humankind's great endeavor for peace, and maintained friendly relations with the leaders of the International Peace Alliance (Space) and the supporters of the IPSPACE. The day of the IPSPACE 2023 Preparatory Meeting happened to be Dr. Kissinger's 100^th birthday. The Secretariat and Organizing Committee of IPSPACE expressed their kind wishes to Dr. Kissinger.

(Contributed by: Meng Yan, Li Yuan, Wang Yubo, Joint Secretary-Generals of the International Peace Alliance (Space))