The fourth edition of “Space Economy Leaders Meeting (SELM)”, with active support from Government of Meghalaya and India’s Ministry of External Affairs from tomorrow to April 18 at Hotel Courtyard Marriott, Shillong.
Ambassadors, High Commissioners and senior diplomats of more than 15 nations of G20 grouping and senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Space and Government of Meghalaya are participating in this event.
Under India’s G20 Presidency, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is organising the fourth SELM precursor event with the theme “SELM: towards a new space ERA (Economy, Responsibility, Alliance)”. This theme is in line with India’s G20 Summit’s theme of ‘One Earth, One Space, and One Future’.
The inaugural function tomorrow will have Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Union Minister of State (Finance) Pankaj Chaudhury, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh, Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, Department of Space Secretary Somanath S, Chairman IN-SPACe Dr Pawan Kumar Goenka among others.
Shillong has been carefully selected to host this meeting, considering the fact that the North East region, with its challenging terrain and accessibility, has been greatly benefitted by the use of space technology applications.
Shillong also hosts the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), a joint initiative of the Department of Space and North Eastern Council (NEC). This centre has the mandate to play the catalytic role in holistic development of the North East region by providing space science and technology support.
The Shillong event is aimed at creating awareness on latest trends in contribution of space to the global economy among the high level diplomats of G20 and Invited countries and also to brief them on the SELM event to be organised at Bengaluru in July 2023.
Further, the Shillong event of G20 will have an exhibition, wherein prominent Indian space industries, apart from ISRO will showcase their products and services.
The Government of Meghalaya will also showcase its rich cultural heritage. The delegates will also have an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Shillong and Meghalaya as part of this event.
The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Ministers of State of Government of India, Chairman of ISRO, Secretary of Department of Space, Chairman of IN-SPACe and G20 Sherpa will participate in the inauguration.
This space event at Shillong would help in further proliferation of space technology applications in this region and enhanced participation of space industries and start-ups.
This precursor event at Shillong will be followed by the fourth edition of SELM event at Bengaluru during July 6-7 with participation from the heads of national space agencies and leaders of space industries of G20 and guest nations.
The deliberations at the Shillong event would be useful to attract heads of space agencies and space industries for the Bengaluru event in July.
