Indian-origin British satellite expert Aarti Holla-Maini was appointed as the Director of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) on Monday by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Holla-Maini succeeded Simonetta Di Pippo of Italy to become the director of the organisation headquartered in Vienna.
25 Years of Experience in Space Sector
The new UNOOSA director completed her bachelor’s degree in law from Kings College London, UK. She went on to pursue her MBA from HEC Paris, France. Holla-Maini is also an alumna of the International Space University.
She has over 25 years of experience in the space sector, and has served in several managerial and advocacy capacities in her career.
With roots in Punjab, India, Holla-Maini knows five languages, including Punjabi.
Until recently, she served as the Executive Vice-President of Sustainability, Policy & Impact at NorthStar Earth and Space. Prior to this, she served over 18 years as the Secretary-General of the Global Satellite Operators Association.
📢BREAKING NEWS!@UN Secretary-General has appointed Aarti Holla-Maini of Belgium/the United Kingdom as the next Director of UNOOSA.
— UNOOSA (@UNOOSA) June 27, 2023
Ms. Holla-Maini brings to this position over 25 years of professional experience in the space sector.
Press release👉https://t.co/UfaEZWfr7d pic.twitter.com/prYA08ZAXb
Holla-Maini has also served as a member of the World Economic Forum’s global future council on space, a member of the advisory group of the Space Sustainability Rating managed by eSpace at the EPFL Space Center, and a member of the advisory board of the Satellite Industry Association of India.
She was also Forum Europe’s senior space policy adviser and an expert adviser on Space Traffic Management for European Union studies from 2021-2023.
Additionally, Hallo-Maini was one of the chief architects of the Crisis Connectivity Charter, established in 2015 for emergency telecommunications via satellite with the UN World Food Programme’s Emergency Telecommunications Cluster.
Roles and Responsibilities
The UNOOSA is an office of the UN secretariat that works towards promoting international cooperation in the peaceful use and exploration of space. The UN body focuses on strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks for space activities.
Holla-Maini will lead the body, which assists developing countries in utilising space science and technology for sustainable economic and social development. She will overlook the organisation and help countries build their capacity to develop and make the most of the space sector.
Additionally, the new director will lead the organisation and direct its work with space agencies and space leaders worldwide to devise solutions to challenges that require an international response.
Expressing gratitude at her appointment, Holla-Maini said, “During my directorship I will strive to ensure that the voices of all UN Member States are heard.”