Pakistan, China and six other regional countries have signed a convention, formally launching Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) to promote multilateral cooperation in the field of space technology, officials said. The other six countries that inked the convention are Iran, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Mongolia and Peru. Five countries Argentina, Brazil, Philippine, Russian Federation and Ukraine joined the APSCO as observers. Pakistan's Science and Technology Minister Nouraiz Shakoor signed the convention on Pakistan's behalf at a ceremony in Beijing. Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju was the chief guest on the occasion. Shakoor termed the convention a breakthrough in strengthening regional cooperation for peaceful use of outer space for the benefit of all mankind. He said Pakistan and China played a pioneer role in establishing the organization, first of its kind to expand and intensify cooperation in space activities in the Asia-Pacific region. This will enable the member countries to share their experience, know-how and potential for their common benefit. They will share their available resources in the use of satellite remote sensing data in environmental protection, natural resources exploitation as well as disaster monitoring and prevention, he added.
