The main objectives of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation (APSCO) are to promote cooperation and strengthen the joint development of space technology and its applications, carry out research in space science, promote education and training, tap the potential of member states, and contribute to the international cooperative activities for the peaceful uses of outer space.

APSCO is an independent, non-profit, intergovernmental, regional, and full international organization. It was established in 2008, and its headquarters are in Beijing, China. APSCO has a legal status by the convention registered under Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations and granted the status of a Permanent Observer on the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) on 12 June 2009, during the annual meeting of the Committee held in Vienna. APSCO also holds Observer status at Group on Earth Observation (GEO) and the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG); having membership in International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and International Institute of Space Law (IISL).        

The full members of APSCO are Bangladesh, China, Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru, Thailand, and Turkey. Indonesia is the signatory member state. and Mexico, Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences & Technology (ISNET) are the observers of APSCO.

All APSCO member states are developing countries. They have all-natural disasters of different or similar nature. All member states are in different time zones, and that’s why APSCO covers a vast geographical area on the Earth. Most of the member states lack the budget, technology, and trained human resources in terms of space science, technology, and application development. But, all APSCO members’ total population is about 2 billion, which is 1/4 of the world’s population.