科技英语新闻:UN office in Vienna celebrates World Space Week 2011

VIENNA, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- A sculpture of late Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was presented to the UN Office in Vienna (UNOV) Friday to celebrate "50 Years of Human Spaceflight," the theme of the World Space Week 2011.

In 1961, Gagarin completed an orbit around the Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft, serving as a pioneer of human spaceflight.

The sculpture is a gift from the Russian government and would be placed at the Permanent Exhibit of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).

Attendants of the ceremony include UNOV Director-General Yury Fedotov, UNOOSA Director Mazlan Othman and Head of the Russian Permanent Mission Vladimir Voronkov.

"Outer space is one of the most exciting and challenging topics, and perhaps of all the important topics on the agenda of the United Nations, none quite captures our imagination like outer space," Othman said in her statement.

Meanwhile, speaking highly of Gagarin's achievement 50 years ago, Fedotov stressed that the purpose of the development and utilization of outer space must be to the benefit of all mankind.

The UN official said that relevant UN agencies would provide technical assistance to all countries to develop outer space and ensure the benefits in peaceful purpose.

On Dec. 6, 1999, the 55th United Nations General Assembly declared the World Space Week to be held every year during Oct. 4-10.