REFORMS IN OUTER SPACE COMMITTEE SET EXAMPLE FOR ENTIRE UNITED NATIONS, FOURTH COMMITTEE TOLD
Press Release
GA/SPD/114
REFORMS IN OUTER SPACE COMMITTEE SET EXAMPLE FOR ENTIRE UNITED NATIONS, FOURTH COMMITTEE TOLD
19971103 Committee Begins Consideration Of Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer SpaceRecent reform measures carried out by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space had set a positive example for the entire work of the United Nations, the representative of Luxembourg said this afternoon, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) began its consideration of cooperation in the peaceful uses of space.
Speaking on behalf of the European Union and associated States, she said that such measures as changes in that Committee's bureaus and agenda and the reduction of sessions from seven to five-and-a-half weeks represented significant reforms. Together with the intention of continuing the use of unedited verbatim transcripts, they would help to substantially reduce administrative costs, she said.
The Chairman of the Outer Space Committee, U.R. Rao (India), introducing that body's report, said the Committee had accomplished a fundamental reform in the way it conducted its work. The cooperation and positive atmosphere which characterized the reform process had also contributed to constructive discussions on some major issues before the Committee. That applied in particular to its discussion relating to the holding of a Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III).
At the outset of today's meeting, the representative of Romania, as Acting Chairman, also described the reforms in the Outer Space Committee as positive models for the reform of the Organization.
The Fourth Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 4 November, to continue its consideration of international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. It is also expected to take action on an omnibus draft resolution on 12 Non-Self-Governing Territories submitted by the Special Committee on decolonization.
Committee Work Programme
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this morning to begin its consideration of international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. It has before it the annual report of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and a report of the Secretary- General on implementation of the recommendations of the Second United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE 82).
The report of the Outer Space Committee (document A/51/20) describes the outcome of its 1997 session and reviews the work of its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and its Legal Subcommittee. It also addresses such issues as spin-off benefits of space technology and outlines plans for a third United Nations conference on the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space (UNISPACE III).
According to the report, the Committee continued its priority consideration of ways and means of maintaining outer space for peaceful purposes. It was the firm belief of the Committee that current efforts should be continued that would strengthen its role in maintaining outer space for peaceful purposes. It was a source of satisfaction that many of the reform measures initiated by the Committee for more effective use of existing resources were being used as models for similar efforts in other United Nations bodies.
In reviewing the report of its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, the Committee addressed such questions as the implementation of the recommendations of UNISPACE 82, remote sensing of the earth by satellites and its application for developing countries, the use of nuclear power sources in outer space, space debris and space transportation systems. It also considered use of the geostationary orbit, as well as planetary exploration and astronomy, matters relating to life sciences (including space medicine) and progress in national and international space activities relating to the earth's environment.
The Committee expressed its appreciation to all Governments that had made or expressed their intention to make contributions for the implementation of the UNISPACE recommendations. It also took note of the disappointment expressed by developing countries at the lack of financial resources at the disposal of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications to implement those recommendations fully. The Committee appealed to Member States to support the Programme through voluntary contributions. However, it was pleased to note that further progress was being made in the implementation of activities of the Programme planned for 1998.
In addition, the Committee expressed appreciation to Member States and the European Space Agency (ESA) for offers of fellowships for in-depth training. It expressed particular appreciation to the Government of China for
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continuing to provide seven one-year fellowships to developing countries. Also, it noted with satisfaction that the fellowship programme instituted in Brazil at the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais in 1985 had fully matured through its financial co-sponsorship by the United Nations University.
The Committee recommended that the United Nations, through the Office for Outer Space Affairs, should continue to support regional centres for space science and technology education. Among other developments, Morocco and Nigeria were finalizing cooperation agreements for two African centres, and discussions were in progress with the parties concerned on the establishment of a centre in western Asia. The Programme was co-sponsoring workshops and other gatherings on cooperation in space science and technology in different parts of the world.
With respect to space information service, the report notes, the publication of the eighth volume of "Seminars of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications: selected papers on remote sensing, satellite communications and space sciences". The publication contains papers from the seminars, workshops and training courses of the 1996 Programme on Space Applications. The Committee also noted that the Office for Outer Space Affairs had developed a database capability and an Internet home page.
On the issue of remote sensing, including applications for developing countries, the Committee stressed the importance of data and analysis being made available to all countries in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost. It also recognized the example of international cooperation in the World Meterological Organization, in the exchange of meterological data.
Regarding use of nuclear power sources in outer space, the Committee agreed that regular discussions of the issue should continue to be held at future sessions of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee. The Subcommittee should continue to receive the widest input on matters affecting the use of nuclear power sources in outer space, as well as any contributions for improving the scope and application of the Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space (as defined in General Assembly resolution 47/68 of 14 December 1992).
The Committee agreed with its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee that consideration of space debris was important, and that international cooperation was needed to expand appropriate and affordable strategies to minimize the potential impact of space debris on future space missions. It was essential for Member States to pay more attention to the problem of collisions of space objects, including those having nuclear power sources.
It was also agreed that the theme to be given special attention at the 1998 session of the Subcommittee should be the following: "Scientific and technical aspects and applications of space-based meteorology".
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In reviewing the report of its Legal Subcommittee, the Committee addressed such items as review and possible revision of the Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space; the definition and delimitation of space; ways to ensure the rational and equitable use of the geostationary orbit; and legal aspects of the principle that space should be used for the benefit of all States.
Regarding the possible revision of the principles relevant to the use of nuclear power sources, the Committee agreed that the principles would remain valid for the time being. The Scientific and Technical Subcommittee should consider the need for revision in the light of changing technology before the Legal Subcommittee or the Committee undertook any actual revision.
The report states that the Legal Subcommittee continued its discussion of the definition of outer space and use of geostationary orbit. It took note of the exchange of views that had taken place on the subject, particularly with respect to equitable access to the orbit as addressed in a working paper submitted by Germany. Some delegations felt the paper embodied a constructive way of dealing with the topic and should be adopted, thus concluding or suspending the discussions on the issue until the year 2000. Other delegations did not believe that the consideration of geostationary orbit could either be concluded or suspended.
The Chairman of the "Group of 77" developing countries and of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States expressed the view that discussions on the geostationary orbit in the Legal Subcommittee had not yet been exhausted. There was still a substantive debate in progress, and the topic should remain on its agenda. The view was expressed that Germany's working paper needed to be discussed further, since time was required to analyse such a new and important proposal and to take into account the distinct positions of Member States, with a view to reaching a convergence of opinions in the future.
Following extensive informal consultations with the participation of 20 delegations, the Committee was informed by the Legal Subcommittee there was no consensus on forwarding the draft text to the General Assembly. Since the German delegation did not see further merit in continuing the stalled debate unless some delegations changed their position, it withdrew the paper.
The report also states that some delegations reiterated the view that the geostationary orbit, because of its particular characteristics, required a special, legal regime to regulate access and use by all States, taking into account the needs of developing countries.
Some delegations expressed the view that the topic of space debris should be included in the agenda of the Legal Subcommittee, the report states. Other delegations felt it would be premature to consider that matter in the Subcommittee, in view of the many technical issues that needed to be discussed. Also, the view was expressed that the Committee should examine the
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scientific and legal aspects of launches made to place human remains in earth orbit. The Committee recommended that the Legal Subcommittee should continue its consideration of the item at its 1998 session.
The Committee noted that, pursuant to its recommendation, the Legal Subcommittee had continued to conduct its informal consultations with a view to coming up with a list of annotated items agreed upon by consensus that could be considered by the Committee for possible inclusion in the agenda of the Subcommittee. It was also noted that a working paper entitled "Open-ended informal consultations on new agenda items: review of the status of the five international legal instruments governing outer space" had been submitted by Mexico to the Legal Subcommittee.
On the question of secondary or spin-off benefits of space technology, the Committee agreed that such technology was yielding many substantial benefits. It took note of the efforts by many Member States to develop such spin-off benefits and to disseminate information on those activities to interested countries. It was also noted that spin-off technology could be used for peacekeeping and humanitarian activities. New techniques were being provided in the areas of population studies, national economic development planning, disaster prediction and mitigation, geological prospecting, topographic mapping, agriculture and fishing, and literacy and family welfare programmes.
The Committee also discussed matters relating to the convening of UNISPACE III. It was agreed that at its 1998 session, an indicative schedule of events to be held prior to and during the Conference should be produced, including the additional components of the Conference. The schedule should take the input provided by space agencies and international organizations into consideration.
The Office for Outer Space Affairs should inform all Member States as early as possible of the dates, objectives, provisional annotated agenda and other details of the Conference, and invite them to submit inputs on the draft report to be prepared by the secretariat, the report states. The secretariat should also take steps to encourage participation by high-level officials, eminent scientists and experts, especially from developing countries, which could benefit from the use of space technology in their economic and social development programmes.
In other business, the report states that the Committee decided to grant permanent observer status to the International Space University, on the understanding that the non-governmental organization would apply for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council.
The report of from the Secretary-General on implementation of the UNISPACE 82 recommendations (document A/52/307) also addresses plans for the UNISPACE III conference, to be held in July 1999. It states that the Space
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Applications Programme provides assistance for technical advisory services worldwide and will award several long-term fellowships for in-depth training of individuals from developing countries. Regional centres for space science and technology education were being established to enhance academic and professional capabilities and technical infrastructure in developing countries. Conferences, colloquiums, workshops and symposiums would be continued in 1998.
The report also reviews inter-agency cooperation within the United Nations system, as well as studies which have been prepared or are planned on various matters. Those included: the safety of orbiting space objects with nuclear power sources; space debris; mechanisms and technologies available; space technology applications for sustainable development and for mitigating effects of natural disasters; and use of new technologies in communications and information networks.
In addition, the Secretary-General reports on voluntary contributions aimed at carrying out the UNISPACE 82 recommendations. The Organization's financial situation had resulted in the curtailment and postponement of some of the Programme's mandated activities, he states.
Statements
PETRU DUMITRIU (Romania), Acting Chairman, said that great progress had been made by the Outer Space Committee during its 1997 session, particularly in the area of reform. It had reached consensus on new measures concerning the working methods of the Committee and its subsidiary bodies, addressing such issues as the composition and election of their bureaus, shortening the duration of their sessions, and strengthening the agenda of the Legal Subcommittee. Those were significant reforms and could serve as positive models as the United Nations faced the challenge of reaching agreement on the reform of the entire Organization.
U.R. RAO (India), Chairman of the Outer Space Committee, introduced that body's report. He said the 1997 session of the Committee, at which it accomplished a fundamental reform in the way it conducted its work, had marked the beginning of a new period in its history. Those reforms involved such politically complex issues as the composition and election of the Committee's bureaus. The Committee now found itself in a better position to achieve its mandate.
Throughout the reform process, members of the Committee had displayed a high level of mutual cooperation, he went on to say. That positive atmosphere had contributed to constructive discussions on a number of the major issues, and particularly on the matters relating to the holding of UNISPACE III. Significant progress was made, he said.
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YURIKO BACKES (Luxembourg) spoke on behalf of the European Union, as well as for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Iceland and Norway. She said the new composition of the Outer Space Committee's bureaus, the changes in its agenda and the reduction of sessions from seven to five-and-a-half weeks were significant reform measures. Combined with the intention of continuing the use of unedited verbatim transcripts, they would allow for a substantial and desirable reduction of administrative costs, setting a positive example for the entire work of the United Nations.
She drew attention to the Committee's role in mandating the Office of Outer Space Affairs, through the United Nations Space Applications Programme, to promote the awareness of advanced technologies and the development of new space-related systems in developing countries. The holding of numerous studies and symposiums had served to enhance cooperation and the exchange of information and to promote wide access to space benefits by all countries.
The Scientific and Technical Subcommittee had been able to achieve substantial progress on the topic of space debris, she said. "In this context we are looking forward to next year's session, which will focus on the issue of mitigation of space debris, bringing to conclusion the multi-year work plan on this issue. We express our hope that the discussions in the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee will lead to the adopting of concrete measures in order to prevent the proliferation of space debris and to minimize the hazards posed by debris." She said the Union took note that efforts had been made to review the agenda items of the Legal Subcommittee, particularly the adoption of the "review of the status of the five international legal instruments governing outer space". However, it was regretted that no consensus had been reached on a working paper asking the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and its member States to ensure equitable access to geostationary satellites and radio frequency spectrum resources.
The adoption of that text would have made it possible to examine the topic of the geostationary satellite orbit in the Legal Subcommittee in a substantive and constructive way, she went on to say. Nevertheless, it was hoped that the general exchange of views regarding the issue would contribute to more focused discussions on that topic in the future.
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