SPACE TECHNOLOGIES MUST BENEFIT ALL COUNTRIES, FOURTH COMMITTEE TOLD, AS IT CONCLUDES DEBATE ON PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE

Sixtieth General Assembly

Fourth Committee

12^th Meeting (PM)

SPACE TECHNOLOGIES MUST BENEFIT ALL COUNTRIES, FOURTH COMMITTEE TOLD,

AS IT CONCLUDES DEBATE ON PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE

As the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) concluded its debate on the peaceful uses of outer space this afternoon, speakers emphasized the importance of strengthening space law and ensuring international cooperation so that the relevant technologies benefited both the developed and developing worlds.

Space technologies were a fundamental instrument for all mankind, said the representative of Uruguay, speaking on behalf of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), pointing to the urgent need to develop rules concerning space law and ethics on the peaceful uses of outer space.  The use of outer space would increase development only if it was accepted that outer space was a common heritage of mankind, to be used for peaceful purposes.  The only way to achieve that goal was through the strong and irrefutable commitment of every member of the international community, he said.

Pakistan’s representative called for the negotiation of a comprehensive space convention, which could help prevent the militarization of space activities, a phenomenon that was seriously affecting international cooperation in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space.  In that connection, he stressed the need to properly implement existing agreements.

The representative of Nigeria welcomed the fact that the Office for Outer Space Affairs had started to provide opportunities for developing countries to build and enhance their knowledge of space law through workshops.  He also applauded the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space for its consideration of a long-term plan to enhance international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.  That would help the implementation and achievement of his country’s space policies, which would in turn aid sustained economic growth in Nigeria and in Africa as a whole.

Underscoring the need for international cooperation, Japan’s representative asked the international community to look beyond national borders in order to bring the benefits derived from space activities not only to the citizens of space-faring countries but to all people.  Space was a common frontier for all mankind and offered infinite possibilities, he said, and his country was committed to working towards prosperity for humanity by engaging in international space activities.

Other speakers in the debate asked that experience, new technologies and information be shared at a reasonable cost and in a timely manner, in order to aid the developing countries in the adoption and use of space technology.

Of further concern to some delegates was the need for a greater and more efficient role for space technology in the prediction, monitoring and mitigation of natural disasters.

Also addressing the Committee were the representatives of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Israel, Libya and Burkina Faso.

The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. on Thursday, 20 October, to begin its debate on peacekeeping operations.

Background

The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met this afternoon to continue its consideration of peaceful uses of outer space.

Statements

ENRIQUE LOEDEL (Uruguay), speaking on behalf of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), said that space technologies had been converted into a fundamental instrument for all mankind and there was, therefore, an urgent need to develop rules concerning space law and ethics on the peaceful uses of outer space.  The peaceful use of outer space would prompt development and increase well-being only if it was accepted that outer space was not a mere resource but a common heritage of mankind, to be used rationally and for peaceful purposes only.  The only way to achieve that goal was through the strong and irrefutable commitment of every member of the international community.

He said despite remarkable progress achieved in space technologies, a considerable part of the world population had not benefited from them.  In addition, many were not truly conscious of the importance and potential of the technologies for the promotion of development.   The consideration of the agenda item by the Committee must always take into account the needs of developing countries.  The MERCOSUR attached great importance to the implementation of the recommendations of the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III).  There was also a need to ensure sustainable development, innovative sources of financing and the execution of experimental projects.

He appreciated the fact that the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space had made priorities of issues such as the use of space technology for disaster management, satellite communications for tele-education and telemedicine, monitoring and protection of the environment, management of natural resources, and education and capacity-building.  Regarding the work of the Legal Subcommittee, he emphasized the importance of the treaties in force and the benefit of their norms to space-faring nations and those nations that had not yet developed space activities.  It was important that the Subcommittee continue to contribute to the progress and consolidation of space law.

He said it was necessary to continue working towards establishing mechanisms for regional cooperation and coordination.  The main achievement of the Fourth Space Conference of the Americas in 2002 was the establishment of a regional forum of cooperation and coordination on space matters.  The Latin American and Caribbean countries saw the forum as an indispensable mechanism to take advantage of the benefits of such activities in an intense and systematic manner.  It could not be emphasized enough that outer space should be used for the progress of all mankind, without distinction between developed and developing countries.

SONG SE IL (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) said that all Member States should oppose the monopolization of space resources and ensure the equal and free participation of every country in exploring outer space. The benefits of space exploration, such as tele-education, environmental protection, and the management of natural resources should be shared equally among all countries. All attempts to prevent developing countries from exploring space, and to monopolize space exploration in order to maintain technological supremacy should no longer be tolerated.

All Member States should oppose and reject the militarization of outer space, he continued. Current projects such as missile defence systems went against the peaceful uses of outer space, and were a great cause for concern. His delegation condemned all moves to turn space into a military base, and urged the establishment of international legislation to prevent the militarization of outer space.

SONG SE IL (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) said that all Member States should oppose the monopolization of space resources and ensure the equal and free participation of every country in exploring outer space.  The benefits of space exploration, such as tele-education, environmental protection, and the management of natural resources should be shared equally among all countries.  All attempts to prevent developing countries from exploring space, and to monopolize space exploration in order to maintain technological supremacy should no longer be tolerated.

All Member States should oppose and reject the militarization of outer space, he continued.  Current projects such as missile defence systems went against the peaceful uses of outer space, and were a great cause for concern.  His delegation condemned all moves to turn space into a military base, and urged the establishment of international legislation to prevent the militarization of outer space.

PRAMOD MAHAJAN ( India) said the recent natural disasters had reminded everyone of the great urgency to deal with issues related to integrated global disaster management systems.  In that regard, he noted with appreciation the activities carried out by the United Nations Programme on Space Applications, in spite of budgetary constraints, and supported the recommendations of the action team on an “Integrated Global Disaster Management System”, led by Canada, China and France, to establish a “Disaster Management International Space Coordination Organisation”.  Such an organization should have informational, coordination and operational functions under the umbrella of the United Nations.  Innovative financial models must be explored to make that initiative effective and useful for all.

He said the Legal Subcommittee had considered the subject of a draft protocol on space assets to the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment, a private legal initiative.  It was interesting to note the widely varying views of Member States on the issue of the United Nations acting as the supervisory authority for the future protocol.  Illustrating India’s endeavours to serve the poor, illiterate and deprived masses of the country, using the latest space technology, he mentioned, among other things, the first operational launch of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) and the satellite EDUSAT, exclusively devoted to supporting satellite-based educational networks across the country.  Apart from a Remote Sensing Applications Programme, three new space applications programmes had been pursued:  space systems-based tele-education; space systems-based telemedicine; and village resource centres.

He said international cooperation, in particular South-South cooperation, had been an important component of India’s space programme.  A connectivity mission between India and the countries of the African Union had been launched last year, which aimed to connect all 53 nations through a satellite and fibre optic network.  His country had participated in global cooperative programmes in such fields as remote sensing, telemedicine, tele-education and space-based disaster management.  It also hosted a Mission Control Centre for the international satellite system for search and rescue.  As space was an instrument of development, he encouraged capacity-building through international cooperation, enabling developing countries to benefit from space application programmes.

RAN GIDOR ( Israel) said that his country was enthusiastic about applying its skills and expertise in the promotion of the peaceful uses of outer space, and had taken great efforts to cooperate with other nations and international organizations in order to ensure that outer space was explored with noble intentions.  Israel followed the work of Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space with great interests, and had been accorded observer status since 2003.  In addition, the Israel Space Agency was working to further space-related activities in the interest of Israel’s peaceful uses of outer space.

Recent natural catastrophes, such as the earthquakes and tsunami in South Asia, had demonstrated the urgency of devoting significantly greater efforts to further human understanding of the Earth’s environment.  Israel had been playing an active role in enhancing international cooperation along those lines, for example by initiating the following research programmes:  automatic generation of digital elevation models using Spot and Landsat imagery; mapping of geology, geomorphology and associated seismic activities in the Jordan Rift Valley; integration of optical inertial space navigation systems; and remote-sensing monitoring of Israeli aquatic environment quality.

Those programmes corresponded in spirit and application with the philosophy governing the Space Millennium Declaration, he said.  Furthermore, in consideration of Israel’s geographical location in one of the world’s most arid regions, his delegation supported wholeheartedly the Committee’s quest to develop solutions to various water-resource problems, such as water scarcity, water pollution and water management, and more efficient exploration of limited arable soil.  Needless to say, Israeli scientists had been at the forefront of global research into those subjects for decades.  In that respect, he was pleased to announce that, six months ago, the Israel Space Agency had signed an agreement on Earth observation and technology development with the French Centre Nations d’Etudes Spatiales.

AHMED H.M. GEBREEL ( Libya) said his country recognized the benefits space technologies could have for development, and had developed national programmes to reap those benefits, in particular regarding water resources.  The Libyan Remote Sensing Centre had been established to follow developments in space science.  Although the world had made progress in many areas, it had been incapable of addressing environmental challenges.  The recent natural disasters indicated the necessity of cooperation in the use of space applications.  A mechanism to predict such disasters was necessary, as was an international body to manage disaster mitigation.

Research in outer space should adhere to the principle that space should be used for the benefit of all, he said, especially for the benefit of developing countries.  Such an attitude would help in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.  He welcomed developments in codifying the use of space with a view to make the benefits of outer space activities available to everyone, and warned against the militarization of space.

ASIM IFTIKHAR AHMAD ( Pakistan) said that an important prerequisite in the advancement of space technology was the maximum engagement of developing countries.  Particular attention must be paid to the sharing of experience and new technologies, non-discriminatory access to state-of-the-art data and information at a reasonable cost and in a timely manner, and capacity building of developing countries in the adoption and use of space technology in different fields.  The benefits of space technology should be accessible to all Member States.

Pakistan had always attached great importance to space system-based disaster management support, he continued.  Following the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004 and the earthquake in Chile earlier this year, extreme devastation had once again been wreaked by the recent earthquake in South Asia, particularly in his own country.  An immediate satellite survey of the area of the earthquake might have provided a quicker assessment of the magnitude of the devastation.  That earthquake and other recent major natural disasters underlined the need for a greater and more efficient role for space technology in the prediction, monitoring and mitigation of such disasters.

The increasing number of military activities in space was seriously affecting international cooperation in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space, he said.  The States with major space capabilities had a greater responsibility to contribute actively to the goal of preventing the militarization of outer space.  The negotiation of a comprehensive convention would contribute towards that end.  Meanwhile, the existing agreements should be properly implemented.

SIMEON A. ADEKANYE ( Nigeria) said the 2005 World Summit had recognized the important role that science and technology could play in promoting sustainable development.  Space science and technology was an indispensable tool in that regard.   As Chair of Action Team 11 of the UNISPACE III on the Application of the Results of Space Research in Sustainable Development, his country would continue its work within the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.  In collaboration with South Africa and Algeria, Nigeria was organizing the First African Leadership Conference on Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in Africa, to be held in Abuja from 23 to 24 November.

He said natural disasters were a major challenge to the international community.  Therefore, he supported the proposed establishment of the Disaster Management International Space Coordinating Organization, which could promote more effectively the application of space technology in disaster reduction and management on a global scale.  His country’s NigeriaSat-1, along with other satellites in the Disaster Monitoring Constellation belonging to Turkey, Algeria and the United Kingdom, had been providing effective services to users globally in the management of disasters.  The Constellation had finalized its proposal to join the International Charter on “Space and Major Disasters”.  Space and water was an important subject that the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space should continue to address.

He welcomed the fact that the Office for Outer Space Affairs had started, three years ago, to provide opportunities for developing countries to build and enhance their knowledge of space law through workshops.  He also welcomed the fact that the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space considered developing a long-term plan to enhance international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.  International cooperation was strategic to rapid implementation and achievement of his country’s space policies and programmes, aimed at achieving sustained economic growth in Nigeria and in Africa as a whole.

TAKEOMI YAMAMOTO ( Japan) cited some of the significant space-related activities that had taken place in Japan since last year.  For example, the Council for Science and Technology Policy of Japan had adopted the report “Basic Strategy of Japan for the Development and Use of Space”, providing a framework for Japan’s space development programme for the next decade.  Furthermore, as an active participant in the International Space Station Programme, Japan had welcomed the successful completion of the Space Shuttle Mission (STS-114), in which an astronaut of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency had participated.

In the international arena, Japan was concerned with escalating environmental problems such as large-scale disasters, he said.  In order to address such concerns, Japan had actively contributed to the development of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems 10-year Implementation Plan, which had been endorsed at the third Earth Observation Summit in Brussels last February.  Japan was also promoting the development and operation of satellite data information systems that facilitated the use of satellite data in such activities as Earth observations, disaster monitoring and resource management.

Space was a common frontier for all mankind and offered infinite possibilities, he concluded.  The international community should look beyond national borders in order to bring the benefits derived from space activities both to the citizens of space-faring countries and to peoples all over the world.   Japan was committed to working towards prosperity for humanity by engaging in international space activities.

JEAN BENGALY ( Burkina Faso) said that, during the 2005 World Summit, a number of delegations had pleaded for the non-militarization of outer space.  The same appeal had been reiterated in the First Committee, particularly by China and the Russian Federation.  While military objectives in outer space benefited a small number of nations, the activities for peaceful use of outer space were increasingly useful to development.  Activities in that regard were useful in many areas, including environmental issues, water, education, transport and telecommunications.

He said his country had benefited greatly from space technologies thanks to international cooperation.  He mentioned some of the programmes in that regard, emphasizing that the peaceful uses of outer space did not only benefit developed countries.  He commended the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space for its efforts to establish regional training centres, and noted that technology transfer was the best way to achieve international cooperation.

The adoption of an international legal instrument on the peaceful uses of outer space was more than necessary, he said.  Environmental issues should also be given consideration.  The many recent natural disasters had cruelly shown the world that no country was immune to such disasters.  An international system for managing disasters was very urgent, as it would allow for dealing better with disasters that impeded development and saving many lives.

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For information media • not an official record