Asia and Pacific Space Cooperation Organization

Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) has evolved from Asia Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications (AP-MCSTA), which came into being when an MoU was signed between China, Pakistan and Thailand in 1992. The objectives of APSCO are to focus on space science / technology and its applications, education / training and cooperative research to promote peaceful uses of outer space in the region.


Seven workshops and international conferences were organized by AP-MCSTA from 1994 to 2003 in Thailand, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Bahrain, Iran, China and Thailand respectively. As a result of consultations of these Conferences, it was decided to formalize this initiative into a permanent organization called 'Asia Pacific Space Cooperation Organization" (APSCO) for cooperation in, and promotion of, activities in space in Asia having 14 Member States including 04 founding members of which Pakistan is one.


APSCO Convention was finalized in Nov 2003. The Signing Ceremony of APSCO Convention was held in Beijing on 28th Oct 2005. The accredited Ministers / Ministerial representatives from eight states of the Asia-Pacific Region: People's Republic of Bangladesh, People's Republic of China, Republic of Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Magnolia, Islamic republic of Pakistan, Republic of Peru and the Kingdom of Thailand signed the APSCO Convention.


The APSCO Convention, according to Article-9, shall enter into force when at least five (05) States have signed it and deposited with the host Government (China) their instruments of ratification or acceptance. The APSCO Council will be formally established after ratification of the convention.

The APSCO Convention, according to Article-9