Civilian, Scientific Application of Space-based Technologies, Not Military Considerations Should Determine Space Use, Fourth Committee Told
The disarmament and space communities should coordinate with each other to build transparency and confidence as the world sought ways of promoting sustainable development through space-based tools, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) heard today, as it continued its discussions on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
Urging the Conference on Disarmament to continue its efforts towards the long-term sustainability of outer-space activities, the representative of Switzerland said that body could join the Fourth Committee in presenting its work to the General Assembly next year, and at a joint, ad hoc meeting of the Fourth and First Committees (Disarmament and International Security).
Outer space should not be separated from disarmament issues, but its use should be prohibited for military purposes, the representative of Jordan said, calling for binding, international, legal instruments to ensure that realm was used to tackle such challenges as water-resource management, climate change, health, and food security.
Several speakers highlighted the importance of exchanging expertise and knowledge, as others called for limiting the use of outer space to peaceful purposes. Stressing the need for sustained international unity for the peaceful harnessing of outer space, the representative of the Russian Federation said space laws should keep pace with modern realities. He also highlighted the need to address the challenge of space debris and welcomed cooperation in that regard.
The representative of China recalled that his country and the Russian Federation had jointly tabled at the Conference on Disarmament a new draft treaty on the prevention of the deployment of weapons in outer space, as well as the threat or use of force against outer space objects. The country was ready to continue its cooperation with all parties to advance negotiations for an outer-space arms control treaty.
Emphasizing that weaponization of outer space would be a major threat to all mankind, the representative of Iran said all efforts should be made to ensure its peaceful purposes use only. The contribution to space activities for sustainable development should be considered in line with the post-2015 agenda.
The representative of Argentina, noting that his country was launching its first, indigenously-built, geo-stationary satellite today, marking a milestone for the country and region, stressed the importance of sharing knowledge and information.
Also speaking today were the representatives of Malaysia, Japan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Algeria.
The Committee will meet at 10 a.m., Friday, 17 October, to conclude its annual consideration of the agenda item.
Background
The Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) met today to continue its annual debate on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. For background, see Press Release GA/SPD/560 of 15 October.
Statements
NAZARI ABD HADI (Malaysia), associating with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said that his country had made significant progress with the launching of its satellite last year, and was now embarking on its next satellite launch project. In terms of its space infrastructure, Malaysia had completed its satellite manufacturing facility — the Assembly, Integration and Testing Facility — whose establishment aimed to provide the regional and global space community with production and testing services. He also invited all to “experience” the facility under the purview of the National Space Agency of Malaysia. Reiterating Malaysia’s commitment to enhancing international cooperation on the peaceful uses of outer space, he noted that space technology improved daily lives. It was addressing a range of social and economic challenges, including poverty eradication, environmental protection, and disaster management.
NAOKI TAKAHASHI (Japan) said that space-based technology had become indispensable in providing numerous services such as telecommunication and navigation. International cooperation was key to developing peaceful activities in space, and Japan recognized the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space as the international platform enhancing cooperation on outer space. He added that the Committee was securing long-term sustainability of outer-space activity, and had contributed considerably to tackling global issues of concern. Several conferences had been held, including regional summits, hosted by Indonesia and the United States. Japan had held a workshop under the auspices of ASEAN. The aim was to strengthen long-term stability and safety in space. He added that the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum played a key role in returning the benefits of outer space technology to the Asian region. He was pleased to acknowledge Japan’s successes in that regard, and reiterated his country’s commitment to the peaceful use of outer space.
FRÉDÉRIC MARC-ANDRÉ TISSOT-DAGUETTE (Switzerland), welcoming the progress made towards the long-term sustainability of outer-space activities, stressed his commitment to actively work on establishing a complete, coherent, and realistic set of guidelines. It was important that the disarmament and the space communities coordinate with each other to translate into action the recommendations of the Group of Governmental Experts on transparency and confidence-building measures.
He said the Conference on Disarmament should also continue its efforts on the long-term sustainability of outer-space activities. The results of the work of the two bodies could be presented to the General Assembly next year, and at a joint, ad hoc meeting of the Fourth and First Committees (Disarmament and International Security). Switzerland supported the opening of formal negotiations on the process initiated by the European Union for developing an international code of conduct for outer space, based on inclusive participation and comprising both civil and military activities. Such a code, among other things, should ensure the equality of treatment between the participating international organizations and respect for their legal “personality”.
SADIQ AL-RIKABI (Iraq) endorsed all initiatives calling for the peaceful use of outer space. His delegation also called for transparent and equal access to that realm, with a focus on sustainability and disaster management. Iraq had made significant achievements, he said, highlighting examples of international cooperation in outer space technology to help sustainable development. He described several agreements put in place in his country, including with the Italian Government for the development of small satellites; with the European Union for surveying ground water in Iraq, where drought was a major problem; as well as with the Republic of Korea and the United States.
SONIA ISHAQ AHMAD SUGHAYAR (Jordan) said it was of paramount importance to create a universal understanding on the safe and responsible conduct of space activities and applications. Outer space should only be maintained for peaceful uses and development of space-based technology in order to contribute to advancing economies and people’s lives. In view of the remarkable increase in States’ activities in space, greater coordination and a regulatory framework were needed, taking into consideration State sovereignty and the boundary between their airspace and outer space. The application of norms and international laws relevant to maintaining outer space for peaceful purposes should be ensured. Outer space should not be separated from disarmament, but its use should be prohibited for military purposes. Jordan called for setting up binding, international, legal instruments to ensure that outer space was used peacefully to tackle such challenges as water-resource management, climate change, health, and food security. The number of countries and organizations engaged in the issues had increased in recent years, she said, underlining the importance of collaborative efforts and better communication and interaction to bridge the knowledge and expertise gap.
HOSSEIN MALEKI (Iran) expressed his appreciation for efforts by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs to promote international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. As one of the 24 founding members of the Outer Space Committee, Iran attached high importance to the issue, and believed that the domain should be kept open to all States for peaceful purposes. The weaponization of outer space would be a major threat to all mankind, and all countries were responsible for preventing an outer space arms race or any other misuse of that realm.
The contribution of space activities for sustainable development should be considered in line with the post-2015 agenda. He emphasized that any code of conduct for outer-space activities should be comprehensive and peaceful in nature, and within the United Nations legal framework. He reiterated his position on the geostationary orbit as a limited source, and underscored that the utilization of the orbit spectrum must be rationalized. On the question of space system-based disaster management, he said Iran was facing various types of natural disasters, and he recognized the merit of the UN-SPIDER programme in addressing their management. Iran had made remarkable advances in space science and technology, having placed its first domestic data processing satellite in orbit. The country was determined to continue such progress and to contribute to promoting international cooperation in the field.
CARLOS MARÍA VALLARINO (Argentina), speaking in his national capacity, stressed that outer space must be used rationally and for peaceful purposes for the generations to come. The use of space technology should be universal. He highlighted the achievements of Earth observation satellites in diverse aspects of development, and emerging partnerships between Argentina and other nations and organizations, stressing the importance of strategic partnerships. International cooperation was central to developing space science and technologies and their application, he said, underlining the priority Argentina placed on the exchange of knowledge and information. Access to outer space use should be equitable, he said, emphasizing the full implementation of international law. Argentina was today launching its first, indigenously-built, geo-stationary satellite, marking a milestone for the country and region.
NASSER SULTAN AL-SUBAIE (Saudi Arabia), welcoming international conventions and United Nations resolutions on the topic, urged States’ adherence to those texts. Calling for an international code of conduct, he stressed the urgency to further efforts to prevent the militarization of outer space. Cooperation on addressing space debris was also vital. Saudi Arabia had launched its thirteenth satellite based on cooperation between organizations in his country and the United States, he said, and emphasized the importance of such cooperation to improve people’s lives. The geo-stationary orbit was a natural source of science and technology in space, in a manner beneficial to all States.
SHANG ZHEN (China), appreciating the significant role of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in areas such as regulating space activities, maintaining space order, and promoting space cooperation, supported the Committee’s involvement in formulating the post-2015 development agenda. Long-term sustainability had a bearing on the endeavours of mankind as a whole, and he, thus, called for joint action by the international community. The draft guide for the working group should be based on consensus and aimed at promoting Member States’ efforts to develop space use, participation in international cooperation, and expand space applications. Care must be taken to avoid going beyond Member States’ levels of development, technical capability, and management of their respective space industries. Non-legally binding instruments on outer space within the United Nations framework were a useful supplement to the legal system on outer space.
Upholding the principles of equality and mutual benefit, peaceful use and common development, China actively engaged in international exchanges and cooperation. Highlighting new achievements by China’s space industry, he said the technology had been widely applied to various fields such as meteorology, mapping, agriculture, land, sea, environmental protection, disaster mitigation, communication, and broadcasting. He recalled that China and the Russian Federation had jointly tabled at the Conference on Disarmament a new draft treaty on the prevention of the deployment of weapons in outer space, as well as the threat or use of force against outer space objects, The country was ready to continue its cooperation with all parties to advance negotiations for an outer-space arms control treaty.
DJAMEL MOKTEFI (Algeria) said that his country adopted its national space programme as a means to accelerate the development of social and economic goals while advancing international and regional cooperation in the field of space technology. The programme’s activities had intensified in 2014. For example, Algeria had started its first operation for satellite integration, and begun development on the integration of a second satellite. Regarding space application, several projects had been developed in various sectors, including managing major risks and natural disasters. At the regional level, his country supported all cooperation to advance sustainable development in Africa. It followed with great interest the issues raised by the Outer Space Committee. He stressed the need to define outer space activities, guarantee equal access, and reduce space debris.
SERGEY A. LEONIDCHENKO (Russian Federation) said sustained international unity was required for peacefully harnessing of outer space. His country had a multidimensional cooperation framework in such areas as the international space station and global navigation systems. The Russian Federation was committed to further cooperation and compatibilities, and welcomed partners. Strengthening the security of outer space would facilitate sustainability, he stressed, adding that the Russian Federation was actively involved in developing international guidelines. The UN-SPIDER programme continued to make a valuable contribution in the promotion of knowledge and information. The Russian Federation was working in the context of its national legislation to address the issue of space debris, he said, adding that outer space laws that were in keeping with modern realities would contribute to the peaceful use of outer space for the common benefit.