DoS played a key role in the success of the third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III), which was held July 19-31, 1999, in Vienna, Austria. The theme of the conference was "Space Benefits for Humanity in the 21st Century." UNISPACE III, the last global United Nations conference of the century, brought together a unique mix of government and industry representatives to discuss the use of space technology to improve the quality of life and stimulate economic growth around the world. The conference was attended by 2,500 participants from 100 nations. DoS chaired the interagency working group responsible for U.S. participation in the conference.

DoS continued to lead an interagency effort to promote international acceptance of GPS as a global standard for positioning and timing. In November 1998, consultations on GPS issues with a European team headed by the European Commission were held in Brussels. In late September 1999, the first meetings of working groups established under the 1998 U.S.-Japan Joint Statement on GPS Cooperation took place in Washington, D.C.

DoS also facilitated the negotiation and conclusion of memoranda of understanding with the government of India to implement the landmark 1997 agreement between the United States and India on Earth and atmospheric sciences.