The Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) was established in 1993 to enhance space activities in the Asia-Pacific region. Space agencies, governmental bodies, international organizations, private companies, universities, and research institutes from over 40 countries and regions take part in APRSAF, the largest space-related conference in the Asia-Pacific region. Positive attendance from governmental bodies at APRSAF events provides opportunities to discuss international cooperation for space activities in concrete terms.
APRSAF currently organizes five working groups (Satellite Applications for Social Benefit, Space Capabilities, Space Education for All, Space Frontier, Space Policy and Law) and one workshop (Space Industry) to share information about the activities and future plans of each country and region in these respective areas. APRSAF also supports the establishment of international projects as solutions for common issues, such as disaster management and environmental protection, so that participating parties will benefit from mutual cooperation.
The utilization of Earth observation satellites, especially the contribution to solving common issues including disaster prevention and environmental problems in the Asia-Pacific region, is mainly discussed at Satellite Applications for Social Benefit Working Group (SAWG). In this WG, three initiatives were established – “Sentinel Asia” for disaster management (since 2005), “SAFE” for environment (since 2008) and “Climate R3” for climate change (2011-2014). Based on these initiatives, JAXA is promoting activities for solving issues in cooperation with space agencies etc. in the Asia-Pacific region.
