UN Group of Governmental Experts on Transparency and Confidence-Building

 

Measures in Outer Space Activities Concludes Its Work

 

NEW YORK, 16 July (Office for Disarmament Affairs) — The Group of Governmental Experts on Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures in Outer Space Activities concluded its work on 12 July.  The 15-member Group of governmental experts, selected on the basis of equitable geographical distribution, carried out its work in three sessions over the last 12 months.

In response to a General Assembly mandate, as contained in resolution 65/68, the Group conducted, and adopted by consensus, a study on outer space transparency and confidence-building measures.  After extensive and in-depth discussions, the experts agreed upon a set of transparency and confidence-building measures for outer space activities and recommended that States consider and implement them on a voluntary basis.

In addition, the Group recommended that in order to build confidence and trust among States, efforts should be made to reach universal participation, implementation and full adherence to the existing legal framework relating to outer space activities.  In its work, the Group also took into consideration inputs from Member States and international organizations engaged in outer space activities.

The report of the Secretary-General containing the above-mentioned study will be submitted to the General Assembly at its sixty-eighth session.

For additional information about outer space (disarmament issues), please visit http://unoda-web.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Outer_Space_and_Disarmament_Fact_Sheet.pdf.

For further information or media inquiries on the Group of Governmental Experts, please contact Yuriy Kryvonos, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, e-mail: ykryvonos@unog.ch.

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For information media • not an official record