BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand has taken on a leading role in international space affairs after being appointed chair of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) for 2026 under the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The appointment, confirmed in Vienna, places Thailand in a key position within the UN’s principal forum for guiding cooperation and governance in outer space.
Dr. Pakorn Apaphant, executive director of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISDA), has been selected to serve as chair of the subcommittee. He will oversee technical deliberations and steer discussions as global space activities become more complex.
The Scientific and Technical Subcommittee examines issues such as space debris, space weather, long-term sustainability of space activities, and space traffic management. The unit’s work supports the development of international guidelines and cooperative approaches among member states with differing capacities and priorities, requiring both technical expertise and diplomatic skill.
Thailand is the 15th country to assume the chairmanship since the subcommittee’s establishment, out of 110 UN COPUOS member states. The appointment reaffirms international confidence in Thailand’s progress in space science and technology, strengthens its profile in global space governance, and creates opportunities for wider international cooperation.
Officials said the role is also expected to support long-term development in education and human resources by showcasing Thai leadership on the global stage. GISTDA is coordinating closely with the Permanent Mission of Thailand to Vienna and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure effective performance of the chairmanship and constructive outcomes for the international space community. (NNT)
