The conference theme “Bridging the space divide in emerging countries”, has been carefully chosen to mark an important milestone ofthe IAF Global Innovation Agenda 2016-2019. The first aim ofthisstrategy isrelated specifically to expanding the scope of IAF activities to emerging countries and connecting with new communities with a view to involve stronger participation of emerging countriesin the IAF activities, and broadly in space activities, provide knowledge and expertise support to these countries, and ultimately produce benefits for these countries.

Iwill take the floor the first day - Plenary 1 - High Level Panel 1 - Part 1: Benefits of space technology and apllications to socio-economic development - Agency Perpective