- The Initial Stage
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In November 1992, the Workshop on Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and its Applications in (AP-MCSTA ) was held in Beijing.
During the Workshop, the initiative of Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and its Applications (AP-MCSTA) jointly proposed by China , Pakistan and Thailand as well as the institutionalization of the mechanism was agreed on by the participants from 16 Asia Pacific Countries.
Since 1994, seven conferences on AP-MCSTA had been organized consecutively in Thailand, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Bahrain, Iran and China.
In 1994, as a result of those conferences, The Memorandum of Understanding on the Development of Small Multi Mission Satellite (SMMS) was signed in Bangkok, Thailand by six countries: China, Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Republic of Korea and Thailand.
- The Preparatory Stage
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In the year 2001, the Secretariat of AP-MCSTA was formally established in Beijing according to the recommendations of the Seventh Conference on AP-MCSTA. The mandate of the Secretariat was to facilitate programs of multilateral space cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region and to promote the institutionalization of AP-MCSTA.
In November 2003, official delegations from nine Asia-Pacific countries attended the Meeting of the Drafting Group of the Convention of Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization ( APSCO )in Beijing in which the text of the Convention was finalized.
On October 28,2005, the Signing Ceremony of APSCO Conventionwas held in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing. Eight countries in Asia-Pacific Region signed the Convention, which included Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru and Thailand .
On October 29, 2005,the First Meeting of the Interim Council of APSCO was held in Beijing. According to the decisions of the Interim Council, three Ad Hoc Committees for Service Regulations, Financial Agreements and Program Planning, respectively were established.The secretariat of AP-MCSTA was also invited to work as the Interim Secretariat of the Interim Council.
On June 1st, 2006, representative of the Government of Turkey signed the APSCO Convention in Beijing; thus becoming the ninth Signatory State to the Convention.
From November 28 to 29, 2006,the Second Meeting of the Interim Council of Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) was held in Beijing. 25 representatives from the Signatory States to APSCO Convention attended the meeting. Observers from Brazil, Mexico, Russian Federation and Sri Lanka also attended the meeting.
- Milestone Events and Related Activities
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Program Training
Course on Remote Sensing Technology and Applications for Mongolia / Indonesia Held in May 2005 in Beijing .
Training Course on Satellite Technology and Spacecraft Project Management Held in June 2005 in Beijing.
Training Course on Reception Stations of FY Satellite Data Broadcasting System (DVB-S) Held in July 2006 in Beijing.
Training Course on Space Technology Applications Held in 2007 in Lima , Peru.
9-Month Master Program on Space Technology Applications Held from July 10 2006 to April 10, 2007 in Beijing.
Symposium / Workshop
International Workshop on Early Warning and Monitoring Earthquake by Using Electromagnetism Detecting Satellite Held in 2007 in Jakarta, Indonesia .
Space Cooperation
Space Cooperation - DVBS
Donation of Reception Stations of FY Satellite Data Broadcasting System DVBSto Seven Signatory States to APSCO Convention by Chinese Government on 24 March 2006.
Space Cooperation - SMMS
On September 5 to 6, 2008, 30 delegates from 8 Signatory States to the Convention of Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) watched the dual-launch of Environment and Natural Disaster Monitoring Satellites A & B (HJ-A/B) at Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. HJ-A Satellite is also known as the Small Multi-Mission Satellite (SMMS).
- The Establishment of APSCO
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The First Meeting of the Council of APSCO was convened in Beijing, China from 16-17 December 2008. The ministerial representatives from nine signatory States to the APSCO Convention, namely Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru, Thailand and Turkey, along with their respective delegations participated in the Meeting.
The meeting elected Mr. Angsumal Sunalai (Thailand) as the Chairman of the Council, Mr. Kamrul Hasan (Bangladesh) and Dr. Sun Laiyan (China) as the Vice-Chairmen of the Council for a two-year term of office.
The Council unanimously agreed to appoint Dr. Zhang Wei, nominated by the Chinese Government, as the Secretary-General of APSCO for an initial period of five years starting immediately after his appointment.
On 16 December 2008, the Inauguration Ceremony of APSCO was held in Beijing, which marked its formal start of operation. Besides delegates from all Signatory States, representatives from Argentina, Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia and Sri Lanka also attended the Ceremony.
