WASHINGTON, June 1 (NNN-ANDINA) — Peru signed the Artemis Accords, which will allow the South American country to participate in dialogue on space matters and generate new development opportunities, thus reaffirming its commitment to multilateral collaboration for space exploration and the use of outer space.
The ceremony was held at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) headquarters in Washington, D.C., the United States.
It was attended by Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea; NASA Administrator Bill Nelson; Acting Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, Jennifer R. Littlejohn; and Peruvian Ambassador Alfredo Ferrero.
Gonzalez-Olaechea indicated that, with this act, Peru seeks to express a common vision with other member countries and establish cooperation mechanisms, especially with the United States.
“This collaboration will allow Peru to participate in exploration activities and sustainable use of resources in space, as well as to foster scientific and aerospace development in our country,” he stated.
The dignitary highlighted Peru’s legacy in the study of outer space, which began at “El Chankillo” archaeological-astronomic complex, located in Casma province, Ancash region —a unique and exceptional material testimony, more than 2,300 years old and the oldest in the Americas.
Likewise, he affirmed that Peru believes in mutual aerospace cooperation and its benefits.
“It is our wish to extend them to humanity as a whole,” he pointed out.
In turn, the NASA administrator said he was proud to welcome Peru to the Artemis Accords and deemed as a significant advance for both nations the fact that the South American country can expand its reach in the cosmos, as a result of decades of work.
Nelson underlined that “we live in the golden age of space exploration,” adding that “together, we will continue to explore the cosmos in an open, responsible manner, as partners, for all.”
Thanks to the signing of the Artemis Accords, Peru becomes the 41st country to adhere to them, which reflects the confluence of common principles and interests between Peru and the United States and a proof of the shared vision on the peaceful use of outer space.
Those nations are: Angola, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay.
The Department of State and NASA lead the United States’ outreach and implementation of the Accords.
It is worth mentioning that in 2020 NASA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of State, established the Artemis Accords —a set of principles to guide cooperation in space exploration, as well as the civil use of the Moon and other celestial bodies for peaceful purposes.
Peru was invited to become part of the Artemis Accords in 2023. Currently, there are six Latin American countries that make it up: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Uruguay.
Peru’s adhesion to these accords is expected to boost space sector’s development in our country, given that it will be part of the space exploration projects to be led by NASA in the coming years.
It will also encourage the exchange of information with countries that have made more progress in scientific and technological areas. — NNN-ANDINA
