Rwanda has laid ground for space technologies through the establishment of ESRI Rwanda, which provides mapping services and GIS solutions to government agencies, and the Centre of the Geographic Information System at the University of Rwanda.

Ingabire pointed out the need for the country to build international connectivity contingency, leverage geospatial services for agriculture, urban planning, emergency response, and build a knowledge base in space technologies.

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This comes a few months after the country launched its first satellite into space, thanks to the partnership between the Government and the Japanese Aerospace and Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The government announced last year a long-term space programme aimed at growing the country's uptake of space technologies and boosting research and development of space science.

"The interest of the Republic of Rwanda in this membership is based on a strong desire to revolutionize and develop its own space sciences and technology facilities, in order to really access and exploit space technology for national benefits," the application read in part

The Government said that Rwanda views international cooperation and partnership in the global space arena, especially active participation in the COPUOS as paramount to achieve that goal.