South Africa ratifies the SKA Observatory Convention

South Africa ratified the Convention Establishing the SKA Observatory at the end of May after the South African Parliament approved the text and Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, signed the Instrument of Ratification.

South Africa was among the seven countries that signed the Convention in Rome on 12 March 2019, alongside Australia, China, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom. The Convention will enter into force once five countries, including the three hosts Australia, South Africa and the UK, ratify the text.

“This is a significant moment not only because South Africa is the first of our hosts to ratify the Convention, but with multiple countries having done so, we are now closer to the SKA Observatory formally existing,” said SKA Director- General Prof. Philip Diamond.

Even with the terrible toll of coronavirus around the world, countries have shown remarkable commitment to the SKA and continue to push forward. It is testimony to the strength of our global collaboration and the impact the project will have

SKA Director- General Prof. Philip Diamond

“Momentum is strong, and we expect Australia, China, Portugal and the UK to ratify in the coming months, with other countries joining the Observatory in due course. Once the SKA Observatory is up and running, construction of the largest science facility on the planet will begin in earnest.” added Prof. Diamond.

Then South African Science Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane signing the SKA Convention in Rome in March 2019.

Credit: SKAO