Mr. Fernand Isseri (Cameroon), Former Co-Chair of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) and Member of Governing Board of Tod'Aérs Global Network [TGN], has been elected as a Member of the African Space Council during the 6th African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (AU MYCM) held on 21 July 2024. Tod'Aérs Global Network [TGN] congratulates Mr. Fernand Isseri on his election, and wishes the African Space Council great success as they carry out their mandate.
Mr. Fernand Isseri has previously served as the Co-Chair of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM), within the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In April 2022, he joined the Governing Board of Tod'Aérs Global Network [TGN] and has since served as the network's Chair for Global Geospatial Information Management, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping TGN’s strategic initiatives in geospatial information management and technological innovation.
The African Space Council is a crucial entity within the African Union, responsible for coordinating the activities of the African Space Agency (AfSA). Established in 2018, AfSA aims to steer the continent’s ambitions in space exploration and technological advancements. In 2019, Egypt was selected to host the headquarters of the agency, and by 2023, the headquarters was formally inaugurated. The Council’s mandate includes guiding continental space policymaking, resource allocation, and regulatory oversights.
The Council consists of 16 members, including 10 elected members from Member States and 6 members from the African Union Commission (AUC). The elected members possess voting powers, enabling them to make critical decisions impacting the future of Africa’s space initiatives, while the AUC members provide valuable insights and guidance without voting rights. Additionally, it manages African space industry stakeholders, including governments and international partners, to foster favorable partnerships in space science and technology.
The African Space Council plays an instrumental role in ensuring that investments in space initiatives align strategically with continental objectives, particularly those outlined in Africa 2063. The Council also facilitates collaboration in space exploration and research through local, regional, continental, and international cooperation, promoting mutual benefits and peaceful endeavors for all Africans. This visionary framework aims to drive advancements in space exploration, research, technology, and indigenous capacity development.