Italy ratifies SKA Observatory Convention

Italy has become the second country to ratify the SKA Observatory Convention, the treaty which establishes the intergovernmental organisation that will build and operate the SKA telescopes.

At the end of January, an Italian Senate vote passed the law that authorises the President to ratify the Convention. In the text, Italy announced a financial commitment of 120 million euros over 10 years for the project.

Italy led the multilateral negotiations on the text of the Convention, which was signed in Rome last year by seven countries: Australia, China, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa and the United Kingdom. The Convention will enter into force once five signatories, including the three hosts Australia, South Africa and the UK, have ratified the text. The Netherlands was the first country to do so last August.

Italy’s National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF) has been coordinating Italian participation in the SKA. Italian institutions and industry have been instrumental in the design phase of the SKA, particularly in prototyping work for the SKA’s low-frequency antennas.

INAF has been part of the project from its foundation with an indisputable contribution in terms of science, technological development and industrial participation

Nichi D’Amico, INAF President

An official copy of the SKA Observatory Convention is proudly displayed at the SKA Global HQ.

Credit: SKAO

By SKAO