Outer Space: Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Legal Subcommittee, 64th session, 1078th meeting

Buenos días. Good morning. We'll now begin.

Buenos días.

Muchas gracias.

Good morning. Thank you. Distinguished delegates, I now declare open the 1078th meeting of the Legal Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Distinguished delegates, this morning we will continue our consideration of agenda item 3, General Exchange of Views. We will continue and hopefully suspend our consideration of Agenda Item 5, Status and Application of the 5 United Nations Treaties on Outer Space and Ways and Means, including Capacity Building, to Promote Their Implementation. And then to get back to the questions I raised yesterday morning on the recurrent practice of producing documents. Thirdly, we will begin our consideration of agenda item 7, future role and method of the work of the committee. We will then suspend the plenary meeting so So that the working group on the definition and delimitation of outer space can hold its first meeting. Following the adjournment of the working group meeting, we will then proceed with discussions on organizational matters led by the delegation of India before turning to the technical presentations. There will be four technical presentations this morning. And I would like to remind delegations that the schedule of technical presentations is available on the session's webpage. Are there any questions or comments on this proposed schedule? I see none. But before we go on to the general exchange of views, I would like to point out that if any delegation has any proposal for the chair or the working group on the legal aspects of space resources, as we agreed in prior sessions, please make it known to the chair today. Thank you. Therefore, let us now continue with our first task for today, which is agenda item 3, general exchange of views. And I will now go on to the list of speakers. The first speaker is the distinguished representative of Paraguay.

Muchas gracias, señor presidente.

Thank you, Chair, and good morning, everyone, distinguished delegates. On behalf of Paraguay, we would like to congratulate you on your work and pledge all our support. We would like to I would like to greet the Director General, or the Director, Artur Holomaini, and we are grateful to the Secretariat for all their work. The Paraguayan Space Agency, within the framework of the international instruments that are part of Paraguayan law, established international cooperation as one of the essential lines of its strategy to foster scientific, technological, and socioeconomic development in our country. Through partnerships with national institutions, space agencies, academia, and international organizations, our space agency promotes knowledge transfer, national capacity building, and the implementation of innovative projects with a direct impact on Paraguayan society. One excellent example of this model is the Guarani Sat-2, the future second Paraguayan satellite. This is a 3-unit nanosatellite developed with the active participation of Paraguayan institutions and strategic partners such as NASA through its Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Mexican Space Agency, and the Autonomous University of Mexico. Astrodyn, an Italian private company, the Faculty of Science and Technology of Our Lady of Asunción and also our Polytechnic University. This consolidates our technical capacities in the sphere of space and includes missions with practical applications for the sustainable development of Paraguay. The Paraguayan Space Agency fosters the training of Paraguayan professionals Through special fellowships and training courses with international institutions. That means we can establish a critical mass of local experts who can lead future projects, which will have a huge impact on the economy and society. The Faculty of Law and Social Sciences of the National University of Asunción is a pioneer in the region. Because for decades it has automatically included aeronautical and space law in its curriculum, consolidating the training of specialized professionals in this emerging field. This landmark is complemented by the recognition of the key role of space law. The law of establishment of the Paraguayan Space Agency states that the Institute of Aeronautical Law has a permanent seat on its board. This reflects our strong commitment to space activities. Those actions, both academic as well as regulatory, mean Paraguay has a comprehensive vision where technology and legal governance work together to guarantee sustainable development in the sector. As part of our commitment to multidisciplinary training, the Paraguayan Space Agency is opening its doors to professionals and students of law to carry out internships. This initiative means that participants can specialize in space law and space policy, which are emerging fields in Paraguay. Through these internships, the Paraguayan Space Agency will will strengthen the professional skills in the space sector. Cooperation through the Paraguayan Space Agency goes beyond the merely technical and is now a tool for scientific diplomacy, making Paraguay an active protagonist in the global space community. Through bilateral agreements and multilateral agreements, our country has access to advanced technologies and financing for development, for research and application of geospatial technology. GuaraniSat-2 is a reflection of this approach because its development and launch involve multiple stakeholders, national universities and the international private sector. This doesn't just optimize resources, it leads to innovative solutions. The Paraguayan Space Agency is promoting the inclusion of strategic sectors, working with the public sector, academia and industry to make sure that the benefits of space technology reach all levels of society. This means that Paraguay is a benchmark in the use of outer space for peaceful purposes. To conclude, the international cooperation spearheaded by the Paraguayan Space Agency is a key engine for progress in Paraguay, making space science and technology into tools for economic growth and social innovation and environmental sustainability. Thank you.

Representante de Paraguay.

Thank you to Paraguay for that statement. And the next speaker on the list is the distinguished representative of Panama. You have the floor.

Presidente.

Good morning, Chair. On behalf of the Republic of Panama, please allow me to express our thanks to your leadership of this subcommittee. We are convinced that under your leadership, the work of this 64th session of the Legal Subcommittee will progress successfully to results that will strengthen governance in outer space for the benefit of all of humanity. We are also grateful to UN-USA for the work they do as a secretariat and for preparing the documentation for this meeting. Panama endorses the statements made by G77 and China, whose positions reflect the essential values we share in the peaceful, equitable, and sustainable use of outer space. And in our national capacity, we would like to make the following comments. Panama reaffirms its commitment to the principles of international space law, especially those enshrined in the Outer Space Treaty, 1967, and the Declaration of Principles from 1963. These instruments should be the legal basis for any future legal initiative to preserve outer space as a shared asset for the whole of humanity. Panama is party to 3 of the 5 main space treaties. Moreover, in December 2024, Panama joined the Artemis Accords, acknowledging, however, the need to carefully analyze the nuances between these agreements and the multilateral legal regime established under the auspices of the United Nations. Currently, we are in the midst of analyzing and designing a national space strategy. That effort still in its initial phases, aims to develop technical capacity in Earth observation, satellite navigation, space telecommunications, geodesic applications, and geospatial infrastructure. Technical advice and cooperation and collaboration from UNOSA are key, and therefore we truly appreciate the support they are providing us with regards to institutional capacity building training and designing a legal framework. I would like to highlight the initiatives of the Technological University of Panama, which has a Department of Space Science and has developed programs to link students and researchers in the fields of orbital engineering, space technology, and astronomy. Panama reiterates that education and capacity building in space science and technology are essential pillars to achieve significant and sustainable participation in space internationally. We believe that COPUOS is the only universal multilateral forum for designing standards and good space practices. We appreciate the work of UN-USA as a secretariat, as it provides a platform for technical and legal dialogue, as well as the fact it organizes events and mechanisms for international cooperation. We support the efforts of COPPOS and its subcommittees to make progress towards an international and inclusive legal framework so that we can manage space resources, space traffic, and mitigate space debris in orbit. We note that the sustained increase in private actors in space activities, and we believe that we should start to explore the possibility of an additional international instrument on commercial space activities. In this context, we need to foster debates among states without imposing barriers on technological development, promote a shared multilateral vision. This is the only way to guarantee legal, economic, and environmental sustainability in outer space in the long term, in accordance with the principles of international cooperation, non-appropriation, shared interest, as according to the space treaties. Therefore, the subcommittee has to have a renewed commitment to fundamental legal concepts such as definition and delimitation of outer space and its resources. Given the lack of precision in these aspects, we see growing complexity, and we must have multilateral consensus to provide regulatory clarity, guarantee equitable access, and strengthen the legal regime. To conclude, Panama reaffirms its commitment to multilateral dialogue and building consensus in space. Our view is clear: accessible, safe, and equitable access to space— space that is not dominated by the few but is shared with justice and responsibility by all, where no state is included— is excluded, sorry, from this new technological area because of its technological or economic limitations. Thank you.

Thank you, Panama, for that statement. The next speaker on my list is a distinguished representative of the UAE.

Mr.

Chair, First, my delegation would like to express our deep appreciation to you for your able leadership of our work and to the role played by the Secretariat, the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs. We reiterate our full support to your efforts to advance multilateral action in this vital area. We express our deep condolences for the passing of His Excellency Ambassador Andre Mitchell, Chair of the Working Group on Legal Aspects of Space Resource Activities. We are forever grateful to him for his invaluable contributions, which have significantly enriched our legal discussions on this important issue.

Mr.

Chair, the UAE believes that promoting the legal framework for outer space activities is the core cornerstone of a safer and more sustainable outer space environment. In this regard, the UAE Space Agency continues to support national and international initiatives aimed at promoting stability and sustainability in outer space. The comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework developed by the UAE, including the adoption of a federal decree law on the regulation of the space sector and 10 specialized space legislation provides the basis for building our national capacity and fostering international cooperation in line with our vision of a brighter future rooted in innovation and sustainability. Mr. Chair, the UAE is committed to upholding the highest standards of security, safety, and environmental protection in our outer space activities through the adoption of clear regulatory measures in compliance with international treaties and conventions, including those related to space debris mitigation. In this context, the UAE adopted in 2022 the National Guidelines on Space Debris Mitigation, which set obligations for national operators to submit clear reports and plans to minimize risks associated with space debris. The guidelines encourage the development of design solutions that minimize the risk of generating new space debris, as well as the adoption of international best practices. Mr. Chair, we stress the importance of the complementarity between the work of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the Legal Subcommittee, and we believe that international cooperation is imperative to develop the international space law framework to promote the peaceful and responsible use of outer space. We look forward to continuing our constructive deliberations on lunar exploration activities within the relevant action team with the hope of adopting a practical and comprehensive work plan. We express our support to initiatives on space awareness and space traffic management. And welcome the proposal by Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, and Norway on establishing a study group on legal and policy aspects of space traffic. We also welcome the initial draft set of recommended principles for space resource activities. In closing, we reaffirm our commitment to international cooperation and the promotion of the outer space legal framework and look forward to fruitful and constructive discussions during this session. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the UAE for that statement. We shall now— we will continue our consideration of Agenda Item 3 tomorrow morning. Distinguished delegates, I would now like to continue with Agenda Item 5, Status and Application of the 5 United Nations Treaties on outer space and ways and means, including capacity building, to promote their implementation, pending the work of the Working Group on the Status and Application of the 5 United Nations Treaties on Outer Space. As you will recall, Yesterday morning, I asked delegation's views on continuing the practice of producing some recurrent documents under this agenda item. There are three such documents and a database. One of the documents. One is entitled Education Opportunities in Space Law: A Directory, which you can find in CRP 7 this year. Another one is entitled Capacity Building in Space Law, which you can find in CRP 8. The third one is The National Space Law Database schematic overview of national regulatory frameworks for space activities in CRP-6. It is also included in the National Space Law Database. The Secretariat has been producing these documents over many years by inviting Member States to submit their contributions, and then the Secretariat compiles those contributions. I would like to ask delegations whether the practice of producing those documents should continue. And to this end, I would like to ask 3 questions which I referred to yesterday. The first of the 3 questions refers to educational opportunities. Given the importance of updating the directory of educational opportunities in space law. I would like to know whether the subcommittee agrees that the Office should continue to update the directory and that member states are therefore encouraged and invited to report to the subcommittee At its next session on their contributions at national level for the future updating of the directory. La segunda pregunta. The second question is on capacity building. Similarly, given the importance emphasized by many delegations on capacity building in space law, we would like to know whether the subcommittee agrees that member states and permanent observers of the committee should continue informing the subcommittee at its next session. What is the status of any action taken or planned at national, regional, or international levels to build capacity in space law? The third question is on the information on national space legislation and regulation. Because given the importance of information exchange on developments in the area of national space-related regulatory frameworks, I would like to know whether the subcommittee agrees that member states should be encouraged to continue to submit to the Secretariat text of their national space laws and regulations, as well as updates on their national regulatory frameworks for space activities. On this matter, I was advised by the Secretariat that the same information is made available and is updated through the dedicated webpage on the National Space Law Database. And in addition, the Working Group on the Status and Application of the 5 United Nations Treaties on Outer Space will be considering CRP 6 in more detail regarding preparation. So, distinguished delegates, let's see if I can make that clearer. Regarding national space legislation and regulation, we need delegations to let us know whether they think delegations should continue to provide the Secretariat with information on their national regulatory frameworks, laws, regulations which are either enacted or amended or updated. And then this would then be included in the National Space Law Database. It is already included there, and it is also included in CRP 6, the overview on the status and application of the 5 UN outer space treaties. So those are the 3 questions we would like to consider, and now I will ask these questions one by one So we can hear your opinions, and therefore the Secretariat can have a clear idea of how to proceed, whether it should continue to compile that information, and should it be included in the preparatory report for the next session. So the first question. As we know, is on educational opportunities. Given the importance of updating the Directory of Educational Opportunities in Space Law, do I take it that the subcommittee agrees that the Office should continue to update the directory and that member states are encouraged and invited to report to the subcommittee at its next session on their contributions at national level for the future updating of the directory. So that's the question. I see no objections. It is so decided. Distinguished delegations, distinguished delegates, let us now proceed to the second question. This is information on capacity building. Just as before, given the importance Emphasized by many delegates on capacity building in space law. Do I take it that the subcommittee agrees that states members and permanent observers of the committee should continue informing the subcommittee at its next session? Of any action taken or planned at national, regional, or international levels to build capacity in space law. I see no objections. Therefore, it is so decided. And now let us go on to the third and final question. Distinguished delegates, this question refers to information on national space legislation and regulation. The question is as follows: Given the importance of information exchange on developments in the area of national space-related regulatory frameworks, do I take it that the subcommittee agrees agrees that member states should be encouraged to continue submitting to the Secretariat the text of their national space laws and regulations and their corresponding updates in terms of their national regulatory frameworks for space activities. I see no objections. Therefore, it is so decided. Thank you. Thank you very much. We have now suspended our consideration of Agenda Item 5, Status and Application of the 5 United Nations Treaties on Outer Space, including capacity building, and we are awaiting the work of the Group on the Status and Application of the 5 UN Outer Space Treaties. Therefore, distinguished delegates, I would now like to begin our consideration of Agenda Item 7, that is, the future role and method of the work of the Committee. The first speaker on my list The next speaker is the distinguished representative of Kenya on behalf of G77 and China.

Chair, the group reiterates that COPOS, with its 2 subcommittees, is the only UN forum to discuss comprehensively all matters related to space, to peaceful uses of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies. The group recommends that there should be greater interaction between the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the Legal Subcommittee in order to promote advancements in space law so that it would be aligned with the major scientific and technical advances in space activities. The group is of the view that such coordination and synergies between the two subcommittees can also promote greater understanding, acceptance, and further implementation of the existing United Nations legal instruments. The group is of the view that the discussions of this subcommittee should not lead to any measures, including norms, guidelines, and standards, that would limit access of developing and emerging spacefaring countries to outer space. Accordingly, the group believes that the international legal framework should be developed in a manner that addresses the concerns of all states. Finally, for the G77 and China, it is important to reach consensus on the reports of the committee and its subcommittees in order to make progress on issues related to peaceful uses of outer space conducive to our collective advantage, thus avoiding policy and prolongation of discussions that exceed the mandate of COPES. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Kenya who spoke on behalf of G77 and China. And the next speaker on my list is The distinguished representative of Slovenia, you have the floor.

Mr.

Chair, distinguished delegates, thank you for granting me the floor and for the opportunity to share a few important points on behalf of Slovenia. First and foremost, we regard COPUSS and its subcommittee as the premier forum for addressing the most critical challenges in outer space. Slovenia remains committed to our active participation in this committee, and we will continue to support the work of the Office for Outer Space Affairs. We truly value and appreciate the famous Vienna spirit we keep showing here. We deeply appreciate the ongoing webcast of plenary sessions, which significantly enhances the accessibility of our discussions and, by extension, brings the vast domain of outer space closer to the global community. The opportunity to submit written inputs is equally invaluable. As it allows us to share critical information with the committee and its member states in a structured and transparent manner. While we may occasionally encounter criticism regarding the pace of our progress, it is crucial to recognize that the system we operate within, where decisions are made collectively by member states, remains the most effective mechanism available to us. The power to decide and to guide our work must continue to rest with the member states. That said, we cannot overlook the vital contributions made by the many stakeholders who are key to the success of our sector. Slovenia firmly believes that permanent observers play an essential role in enriching our discussions. Not only do they provide us with valuable insights and relevant data that are crucial for informed decision-making, but they also offer alternative perspectives and impartial viewpoints on complex issues. Non-governmental organizations, as well as scientific and academic institutions, bring indispensable expertise that significantly enhance the committee's work. To achieve the success we all aspire to, we need their specialized support. Furthermore, we believe that industry representatives should have a seat at the table within national delegations. Given our collective reliance on the private sector, their input is vital for member states making the most informed and comprehensive decisions. We have witnessed robust debates, which in our view signal the committee's maturation, as well as the evolution of the global space sector. However, we propose that we streamline our discussions by merging the 2 agenda items: space debris mitigation and remediation, and small satellites. Into a single unified agenda item entitled Sustainable and Resilient Use of Outer Space. This approach will not only allow us to address the most pressing issues in a more focused manner, but also reduce unnecessary repetition, enabling us to use our time more efficiently. By eliminating redundancies, we will enhance our ability to reach consensus and, more importantly, craft solutions that benefit all nations. I want to emphasize that we intentionally excluded the agenda item on space traffic management from this discussion, as we believe that its significance warrants a dedicated conversation. Regarding space traffic management, Slovenia strongly supports the establishment of a dedicated working group to address the legal aspects of STM. While we recognize the importance of the scientific and technical subcommittee as the appropriate venue for technical discussions, we firmly believe that the legal dimensions of STM should be addressed within this legal subcommittee. We propose the creation of an expert group or a working group that could provide, provide us with actionable recommendations for the committee's consideration during, during Unispace 4. However, understanding the time constraints and the need to avoid unnecessary delays, Slovenia is prepared to support delegations that put forward more concrete proposals on how to advance the STM discussions. Gracias, señor presidente, and distinguished delegates, for your kind attention.

I thank the distinguished representative of Slovenia for her statement. And now I will give the floor to the distinguished representative of Canada.

Thank you, Chair. Chair, distinguished delegates, Canada would like to thank the Secretariat for their ongoing effort to advance the important work of this Committee and its subcommittees in the context of the ongoing budgetary limitations. Notwithstanding the situation, the Committee continues to grow, which Canada sees as a positive development and evidence of the importance of its work. However, it does not come without challenges to the effective conduct of its sessions and the work of the Office for Outer Space Affairs. As a result, Canada supports time-saving measures which have been implemented, such as the 5-minute limit for statements, which ensures that all member states have the ability to speak with interpretation services, and webcasting of the plenary sessions, which allows a wider audience to witness our work. These are helpful measures, and Canada believes that the current situation necessitates additional changes. The rapid pace of development in space activities presents new challenges and, as a result, a demand for new agenda items or working groups. To ensure there is sufficient time and resources to address emerging challenges, the Legal Subcommittee may need to consider removing certain agenda items while combining others. The definition and delimitation of outer space has been on the agenda for decades. It has been thoroughly considered from every angle. The volumes of work on this matter have been considered and summarized by the Secretariat, which we thank the Secretariat for. Therefore, the subject has been fully explored, and the Legal Subcommittee could now consider removing this item from the agenda. The issue of space traffic coordination has now become one of the most important issues arising from the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. It is a broad topic that inevitably raises issues discussed under other agenda items. For example, it is nearly impossible to discuss space traffic coordination without mentioning the proliferation of small satellites and large constellations. These issues are inextricably linked, and the solutions developed to address any one of the challenges posed by these issues will have a significant effect on the others. The subcommittee should also be open to ideas from all sources, and therefore we welcome and encourage the participation of private industry, academia, civil society, and relevant international organizations. Chair, distinguished delegates, outer space activities continue to grow in volume and importance to society. They are considered important for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and for the future of humanity. At the same time, Budgetary pressures and new challenges in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space dictate that the committee and its subcommittees must evolve and adapt. Canada is confident that the committee and its subcommittees can adapt its methods in order to continue its impressive track record of delivering real results for the international community. I thank you.

Muchas gracias, distinguido representante de Canadá, por su declaración. The next speaker on the list is the representative of France. You have the floor.

Thank you very much, Chair. Chairman, distinguished delegates, colleagues, France fully supports the work of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. And its subcommittees. We believe that our working methods should lead to productive, respectful, and fair debates. Under this heading, we welcome the results achieved during the 66th session of COPUOS, particularly the adoption of several proposals to mainstream the agenda items, put them in groups, and deal with them in a consecutive manner. We are also committed to the effectiveness and inclusive nature of discussions as per rules and methods of work already established. That is why we recall our commitment to multilingualism and that all working languages stand on equal footing. As you're aware, France supports the holding of Unispace 4 in 2027. This will provide political impetus commensurate with the challenges before the space community. Here, my delegation thanks the Secretariat, Morocco, and Italy for their efforts to seek consensus for holding this conference. Now we have to work on the logistics as well as the goals for the conference. We think the high-level segment is important Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. President.

This is very important.

It could come upstream of the 70th COPUOS session, summer 2027. COPUOS must play a key role. We need a framework to breathe new life into strengthening the safety of outer space activities in the future, particularly on the coordination of space traffic, preventing the generation of space debris, and defining space resources. First, the space situational awareness topic. This is a priority so as to deal with the hitherto unseen growth in orbital populations and space traffic. There are already systems in place for surveying outer space as well as orbital events. As finance and technology is limited, and given the emergency nature of the situation, we're going to have to work with what we already have. That is why the EU SST and TRAC systems must be coordinated. This is a concrete approach, one which would provide a progressive response to this issue. In this concrete and pragmatic approach, OOSA should facilitate. Similarly, we should be preventing the generation of space debris at its source, that is, at the stage of satellite design. And finally, we'd like to see regulation of the use and exploration of outer space resources based on their purposes. These are the 3 topics that we think could be the deliverables of UNISPACE 4: coordination of SSA systems, preventing the creation of space debris, and defining outer space resources.

Thank you.

space resources, depending on what they are to be used for. Furthermore, the French delegation welcomes headway made on the matter of dark and quiet skies. This is thanks to this group of friends for effective international cooperation so as to bring together the development of human activity in outer space and scientific activities that are Earth-based. The work of the focus group would bring together the industrial operator and scientific community. This led to balanced recommendations and acceptable solutions for all parties. They were presented in a conference room paper. Copulos must work hand in hand with the ITU so as to ensure the effectiveness of measures taken in the future. Field of radio communications. Thank you.

Muchas gracias, distinguida representante. Thank you, the distinguished representative of France, for that statement. And now I'll give the floor to the Netherlands.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair, for giving me the floor. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, this subcommittee was established with a view to confirming, codifying, and developing outer space law. This requires a constructive discussion on what law we have, what law we lack, and to what extent this is problematic. We are still reeling from last year's experience, and this enhances the importance to carefully consider the future role and method of work of the subcommittee. In this regard, my delegation wishes to present its position on 3 issues. First, we still consider that with the present workload and taking into account the liquidity crisis, it would be irresponsible behavior to include new items on the agenda without taking off existing items. It would also help to streamline existing items to free up space for new items or, regrettably, to meet the demands as a result of the liquidity crisis. In this regard, my government notes that the inclusion in item 5 of the discussions on national legislation and capacity building has not decreased their importance or depth. Similarly, we would propose to consider merging the items on space traffic coordination and space debris reduction, and potentially also the item on small satellites. All 3 are related to a safe and sustainable use of outer space and require an integrated approach. Finally, my government would also support the consideration of removing Agenda Item 6B on the character and utilization of the geostationary orbit, as the case may be also of Item 6A, for the reasons indicated by Canada during the general exchange of view under those items. Second, especially in view of last year's experience, we could support to consider a more action-oriented way of reporting. This would make the reports more meaningful, as they would be sources for states of the steps to be taken to confirm, codify, and develop international space law in all its aspects. In that regard, my delegation would note that the creation of customary international law requires a universal state practice combined with an opinion Opinio juris. The phrase, some delegations express the view, is not sufficient to establish universal state practice or opinio juris, as some delegations may be 2 delegations or 103. Anyone wishing to establish the consensus will need to refer to the actual statements so helpfully published on the website. The report of the subcommittee will not contribute to that. Rather, it would be helpful if the report made clear what we agreed we would do rather than an incomplete report on what we said. Third, the Netherlands strongly regrets, regrets the discussions we are having on the participation of observers, including non-governmental organizations, industry, and academia. They are important stakeholders whose views and opinions enrich our debates and contribute to the meaningfulness of our work. Without them, we would be deprived of the diversity of the views and would risk irrelevance as a result of being unaware of what really matters or of the most recent technological and scientific developments. Indeed, to echo again my Canadian colleague, without them we would not be doing much of the relevant work we are doing right now. For that reason, we strongly support the participation of observers and other stakeholders, and we would recommend that the subcommittee ensure their participation as much as possible. I thank you for your kind attention.

Thank you to the representative of the Netherlands. Thank you, Mr. President, for that statement. And the next speaker on our list is the representative of the United Kingdom.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

As this is the first time my delegation is taking the floor, please allow us again to express our sadness regarding the passing of Ambassador Misztal. We saw the Working Group on the Legal Aspects of Space Resource Activities make excellent progress under his leadership, and he will be greatly Chair, please allow me to set out the view of the United Kingdom on the future role and method of work of the Legal Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The United Kingdom has taken a leading role on the sustainability, security, and safety of outer space. Along with other delegations, we believe that the LSC has a crucial role in ensuring the ongoing sustainability and peaceful use of the space environment.

Thank you.

Regarding the role of the legal subcommittee, there is an important distinction between discussions held in Geneva and those held in Vienna. The discussions here in Vienna should focus on safety and sustainability, which may support the security agenda, while discussions in Geneva should focus on security, which may support safety and sustainability. The fact that many space systems are dual use shows why it is important to have distinct yet complementary parliamentary discussions in Geneva and Vienna. We would now like to share some remarks on the ways of working. The United Kingdom calls upon all member states to work with us on streamlining the reports of our sessions, including for this subcommittee. Although we view the report as an important outcome of our discussions, the UK is here to exchange best practice and to engage in constructive discussions on important issues. We believe that negotiating the report and preparing statements in order to influence the outcome of the report has become an impediment to constructive and open discussions. Member states bring experts from around the world, and we should seek to ensure that their time in Vienna is as productive and valuable as possible. We welcome all pragmatic ideas to reduce this burden on member states and on the Secretariat. We look forward to further collaboration with the Secretariat as we look for ways to improve the ways of working of the subcommittee. Additionally, we welcome the conversation on organizational matters, including improving technical presentations, led by the distinguished chair from India, Mr. Prakash Chavan. The LSC should be easy for observers to understand, not just governments. The UK joins other delegations in the call for improving— improvement regarding the current compendium on the rules of procedure and methods of work. We feel as though recent sessions of the subcommittees have highlighted that the current compendium is not fit for purpose, and we join the request for the Secretariat to streamline the compendium. We call upon all delegations to consider ways to innovate and make our work easier for non-experts to understand, as we have witnessed the success of such innovation in the call for the consolidation of agenda items. Next, the United Kingdom is pleased to see that we have a diverse range of observers represented at COP and its subcommittees. Space sustainability does not fall to governments alone. We believe that we should do more to fully engage the private sector and the scientific community. We would encourage delegations to consider including non-governmental actors as part of their delegation throughout the COPUAS meeting cycle. Our colleagues from industry leading on active debris removal will join the UK delegation at a side event this afternoon in partnership with Japan and New Zealand. The UK believes that sharing experience, ideas, and creating a common vision is one of the defining benefits of the multilateral system. We welcome the initiatives by UNOOSA that allow for increased member state and expert interactions, such as the UN Space Sustainability Days and the UN Space Bridge. Next, the United Kingdom would like to thank Chile, Spain, and South Africa for their work pertaining to dark and quiet skies. We are pleased to be a member of the Group of Friends, and we look forward to further discussions On this important subject, we would also like to express our support for the action team on lunar activities consultation. The United Kingdom would like to thank Romania for their early efforts to establish an action team, specifically Mr. Doran Prenario for his efforts. We'd also like to thank Romania and Pakistan for their co-chair nominations. We are pleased to have Miss Alpia Botazatu and Mr. Hassan Abbas serving on the Bureau. The UK has actively engaged in cross regional. Regional discussions here in Vienna, and we look forward to continuing these discussions in the lead-up to Unispace 4. Unispace 4 has the potential to create a step change in our ambition and engagement in peaceful uses, but only if we continue to engage constructively. The UK pledges to be a positive example in that regard. Chair, our work is only just beginning, and we hope that our future is rooted in practical, open, informal, and expert discussion. We need to focus on the mandate of COPUS and seek to. Hear from every actor making a contribution to our collective endeavors. Thank you, Chair, and to all participants at this session.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom. And delegates, we will continue with our examination of Agenda Item 7. On the future role and method of work of the committee this afternoon. We will now suspend the plenary meeting so that the Working Group on the Definition and Delimitation of Outer Space can hold its first meeting. Following the adjournment of the Working Group meeting, we will hold the discussions on organizational matters led by the delegation of India. Then, in accordance with the agreement reached during the 62nd session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, discussions on the matters concerning the management and scheduling of technical presentations will be led Thank you. The delegation of India, chaired by Mr. Chauhan of India, has already informed 2 distinguished delegates during the opening session of the Legal Subcommittee. So now I would like to invite the Working Group on the Definition and Delimitation of Outer Space to hold its first meeting, followed by the discussions on organizational matters led by the delegation of India. Following these discussions, we will then resume the plenary with a view to proceeding with technical presentations, and there will be 4 of those. Thank you. Good afternoon, distinguished delegates. Let's continue now with the technical presentations. As you know, we have 4 of them. this morning. The first on my list is entitled Takeaways from Regulatory Analysis of Lunar Disposal Options by the UK Space Agency, and this will be made by the representative of the United Kingdom. Thank you.

Thank you, Chair. Good morning all. My name is Carl Kane-Cullery. I'm the Senior Beyond Earth Orbit Manager for the Office of Regulation at the UK Space Agency, and I lead the agency's work regarding lunar regulatory policy. So welcome to this technical presentation by the UK Space Agency on our Lunar Post-Mission Disposal Options Study. We'll be giving an overview today of the specifications, methodology, and the results of this work. and hope to highlight the importance and developing issue of lunar debris and disposal alongside the work the UK is doing to better understand and mitigate this issue. Next slide, please. So why now? I wanted to give you some context as to why the UK Space Agency has commissioned this study and why we are looking at our beyond-Earth orbit regulatory policy. We tried to take a mission-focused approach to regulatory policy, identifying upcoming missions and then putting in place structures to enable those to operate safely and responsibly. In this case, the upcoming mission is SSTL's Lunar Pathfinder, an orbital comms and relay mission around the Moon. The aim of our office is to ensure that we have begun to develop our capability within the UK to license the mission, while also giving regulatory policy clarity to future UK missions. alongside this upcoming mission, we also seek to support the UKSA's Space Exploration Technology Roadmap in general by growing our understanding of the regulatory implications of emerging and novel technologies vital for lunar exploration. Again, this is to give UK companies looking towards developing lunar operations the confidence that they can license and operate from the UK. We are looking to better understand the unique regulatory challenges to safe operations in the beyond-Earth orbit environments, in particular as mission volumes increase around the Moon as it becomes more accessible to a wider range of actors. We've begun to understand the operational challenges of the environment, from space situational awareness and tracking being more difficult. We also see a higher cost to maneuver. There's no easily accessible atmosphere for for disposal, and that further raises the cost of acting sustainably in the environment. The lack of a substantial atmosphere also raises the potential for interactions between orbital and surface operations, and all of these challenges propose— all of these challenges mean it is more difficult to operate in a safe and sustainable way. That's been a key driver of why we've looked at these studies. Next slide, please. The Lunar Post-Mission Disposal Study was carried out by UK firm Space Professionals and aimed to provide an evidence base for developing lunar regulatory policy, assessing pros, cons, and risks of cislunar post-mission disposal options. In total, we looked at 8 possibilities with 3 mission profiles: leaving in orbit, lunar surface impact, both controlled and uncontrolled, transfer to heliocentric or deep space, transfer to a lunar graveyard or a Lagrange point, Earth atmospheric reentry, and a reuse and recycle option. And those were for 3 different mission types: small spacecraft in ELFO, a medium spacecraft in LLO, and a large hab in NRHO. Each of these mission types and disposal plans was analyzed on the merits of each approach, both from a cost perspective as well as from a safety and risk perspective. Understanding that the level of activity around the Moon will change over time, we wanted to understand understand how PMD risk and cost could change for each mission profile over a 5, 10, and 15-year period. As part of understanding the changing lunar environment, the study looked at how— next slide, please.

Sorry.

As part of understanding the changing lunar environment, the study looked at how lunar PMD had been done in the past, as well as looking at potential future constraints of PMD on the surface or in orbit, with looking at heritage sites, planetary protection zones, and other future operations being cataloged. As mentioned, it was important to understand the potential future environment as mission volumes grow. Next slide. The risk model for this study incorporated a layered approach, looking at how spacecraft disposal unfolds in dynamic regulatory, environmental, and operational landscapes, and then looking at these risks with respect to both the satellite operator and the regulator. The study then evaluated each disposal method on core risk categories that determine both the immediate viability as well as that longer-term implications I discussed. For each risk area, we looked at a variety of instantaneous risk and areas such as technical, reputational, regulatory, and operational, among others. Next slide. The coarse model for this study was developed to provide estimated impacts on several areas of the proposed post-mission disposal, including propellant budget, comms budget, engineering design cost, launch cost, operational costs. And the study then links to areas of impact in 2 main categories, both in the primary mission design as well as the primary impact on overall mission cost. This then informed the viability of each PMD option alongside the risk methodology. Next slide, please. understand how their development would impact on post-mission disposal in the future. You can see on the right we also looked at a TRL maturity for each of the chosen PMD scenarios to understand the current technological readiness level for each method so that we could factor that in when evaluating viability. You will have noticed that we examined the viability of a disposal option on reuse and recycle of the spacecraft, and this was to evaluate if it would be a viable potential PMD option as on-orbit servicing technologies continue to mature. Next slide, please. You can see here, when it comes to overall findings, several patterns have emerged. While having a lower overall mission cost, leaving objects in orbit or letting them deorbit to uncontrolled impacts was deemed unacceptable from a risk standpoint, as we would have lower assurance for most orbits that impacts would not affect polar regions or regions with heritage or active operations. Semi-controlled impacts emerged as a good balance of cost and risk, though there is more uncertainty looking towards the future as the lunar surface will grow more crowded. Impact disposal was not deemed practical for larger objects from a safety perspective. Soft landings present a very high mission system costs, making them impractical for most orbital missions, while heliocentric and deep space disposal were seen to have similar overall profiles. But while they had more costs associated than semi-controlled impact, they do present a lower risk profile and therefore may become a more attractive mission— or sorry, more attractive option as mission volumes increase over time. Designation of a graveyard orbit, potentially DRO, has a good risk profile but is held back on high system costs, particularly if transferring from LLO. However, the technological development in propulsion technologies may reduce this cost profile in, in future, and it may become a more attractive option. Lagrange points had similar costs to other graveyard options, but given the operational value of these areas of space and their complexity, they've become less attractive from an operational perspective. Earth return represents the worst in both worlds, being evaluated as both a high-cost and high-risk maneuver. And although you would have an atmospheric reentry, you would have higher system costs as well as more interaction with other missions and orbital planes. Finally, the Retrieve, Reuse, and Recycle, or the ISAM option, does have potential in removing debris effectively, but as an emerging technology, we don't have full certainty on its viability as a lunar PMD option, and we'll monitor it carefully going forward. Next slide, please. Overall, we received 26 recommendations from this report, as well as more clarity on how lunar debris could impact future missions if proactive measures are not adopted by mission planners. One of the key takeaways was that while we can and must take sustainable principles that we have learned from Earth orbit operations with us to the Moon, there are a number of lunar-specific conversations that are needed to provide clarity in best practice and sustainability in the lunar environment. It was also clear that several recommendations would require consultations and discussions between member states here at COPUSS via the ATLAC process to provide clarity to lunar operators on issues such as science, heritage preservation, lunar debris mitigation principles, and lunar operational coordination and non-interference, as they play a key role in evaluating a post-mission disposal option. This study will play a part to ensure that the UK implements safe, sustainable, and responsible lunar regulation for our domestic operators, and we will continue to be active in promoting these principles and being active within conversations within COPUS based on this evidence. Thank you very much for your consideration. Thank you, Chair.

Thank you for that very valuable presentation. And the next speaker on our list is a presentation entitled The Definition and Delimitation of Outer Space by Ukraine. You have the floor.

Honorable Chair, distinguished delegates. Thank you for the opportunity to address the 64th session of the Legal Subcommittee. I am also very grateful to the State Space Agency of Ukraine for its support on this issue. Next slide, please. As a result of the research conducted on the definition of space jurisdiction, we found that all issues of space jurisdiction in Thank you. The issues of space law in general center around the need to solve 3 main challenges: determination of the boundaries of state jurisdiction and international law in space, determination of the legal status of the space and celestial bodies, regulation of space activities. At the same time, classical solutions to these issues have already shown their ineffectiveness. Thus, states still cannot agree on the delineation of airspace and outer space based on physical characteristics or arbitrarily chosen heights because none of the proposals can account for all the physical features of these spaces, all the factors of human activity, and the interests of all states on Earth due Due to significant natural differences, none of these methods of delimiting space can be applied to other planets and planetoids. Attempts to determine the status of outer space and celestial bodies by analogy with maritime and tactic and air law, as well as based on the Theories of res communis, res nullis, res communis humanitatis also turn out to be only marginally effective since none of these theories establishes a balance of interests between global space players and other states. In the context of constantly changing circumstances in space activities, it is ineffective to regulate space activities based on static, inflexible rules that establish a single boundary between outer space and airspace and apply equally to all space, but do not have an international response mechanism for their violation. Given this, we propose to take a fresh look at this problem and not look for phantom boundaries of space, but to identify and recognize that those jurisdictions that have long been formed by natural and technical factors that affect the security of the state, the security of humanity as a whole, and the safety of space activities. Next slide. We invite to consider the NMC concept, which takes its name from the Latin words natura, moribus, et constructio dinis, which translates to nature, morals, and consciences. The basis of the NMC concept is a recognition of the fact that above the Earth's surface we are surrounded by There is only one outer space, not 2 spaces— air and outer space. At the same time, air is not a separate space, but is only a mixture of gases, the concentration of which differs for separate celestial bodies. This approach will make the rules of space activity universal for all celestial bodies and eliminate the need need to search for non-existent boundaries of space. Next slide. It's also necessary to recognize that the universe is divided into 2 natural spaces, one of which, in contrast to another, influences humanity's existence. We propose to address the space in which the Earth, celestial bodies, and natural phenomena that affect the life of humanity are located at the domestic room. We suggest calling this space outside the domestic room the alien room. Given the direct impact of the domestic room on the existence of humanity, we invite to apply to it the principle of res communis humanitatis, within which international law, common all states and inhabitants of the Earth will always operate. We propose to apply the principle of res nullius to the alien room, according to which there will be no rules and jurisdiction in this space, taking into account the possibility of meeting alien intelligent beings and civilization in the alien room. Next slide. At the same time, billions of years of activity activity and interaction of such natural factors as gravitational forces, radiation, and other natural phenomena within, within the solar system, which affect the stability of the Earth's existence and the vital activity of all humanity, have long since formed the boundaries of the domestic room. Considering the totality of these factors, which we have conditionally called the solar system factor, we propose to recognize the boundaries of domestic room as follows: the center of the sun, inner boundary, and the Kuiper Belt, outer boundary. Accordingly, the space outside these boundaries will be considered alien room. Next slide. Nature has already created within the domestic room for each Each state its own unique and sovereign special territorial domain on which the existence of the state and its population depends, and which we only have to recognize. Such a domain of each state consists of the following layers: vita elementis, or elements of life, from 0 to 9 kilometers height, in which the 4 elements of nature— earth, water, sky and air can be in a relatively stable and beneficial state for humans. Tecton Vita, or rule of life, approximately from 9 to 50 kilometers height, in which the air and ozone layer most effectively protect humanity from harsh solar radiation. The atmospheric pressure layer with a height of 0 to 80 kilometers, in which the atmospheric column provides Such atmospheric pressure on the Earth's surface that according to medical research is maximally comfortable for human life. The aerodynamic layer with, with a height of 0 to 80 kilometers within which the aerodynamic lift force is provided, which allows a person to fly using a wing. Accordingly, human life on Earth and economic security of the state are ensured. Thus, for each state there is its own unitary and sovereign special territorial domain, which includes the surface of the Earth on which the territory of the state is located, underground space to a certain depth, and outer space out to a height of 80 kilometers. Within this domain, the exclusive jurisdiction of the relevant state state will always apply. Next slide. We believe that international law cannot be applied inertly, uniformly, and statically within the entire domestic room due to existence within it of specific layers within which activities require separate regulatory mechanisms. In particular, the orbital layer, which was formed as a result of such natural features of the Earth as gravity and rotation around its axis. Its height is calculated from the upper boundary of the aerodynamic layer to the height of the so-called geostationary orbit. This sanitary layer, which is justified by the risk of potentially dangerous Object X entering the Earth's atmosphere from space, which could destroy all of humanity. The existence of which is determined by the influence of the Moon on the process of oscillatory and intermittent rotation of the Earth around its axis, as well as on human life. The orbital transportation layer, the existence of which is determined by the future introduction of permanent orbital transportation with the endearers. The ballistic layer, the existence of which is justified by tests of military intercontinental ballistic missiles, which pose great risks to the safety of space activities. Next slide. Considering these factors, we propose to apply the principle of the Ford decision to the regulation of cosmic activity by within the specific layers of the domestic room based on the mechanism of the tested consent, silent disapproval, active consent, and active dual disapproval. Next slide, please. For example, to conduct space activities within the orbital layer, we propose applying the mechanism of active general consent, tested consent, and silent disapproval. To carry out space activities within the lunar layer, we suggest applying the mechanism of active general disapproval, active personal consent, and silent disapproval. Next slide. A separate aspect of this concept is the regulation of the ballistic layer, in which, on the one hand, the jurisdiction of international law operates, and on the other hand, states test military intercontinental ballistic missiles. We invite the development of an inclusive military jurisdiction of states within the ballistic layer, which would allow states subject to mandatory prior notification of international space authorities to launch a limited number of military reconnaissance satellites and intercontinental ballistic missiles for testing purposes or to destroy an extraterrestrial object located within this layer that threatens the state. Next slide. To implement the NMC concept and avoid conflicts in outer space, we propose that states conclude the Outer Space Pact under the hospice of the UN, we provide the draft for viewing by all interested ones. Thank you for your attention.

Thank you. Muchas gracias. Thank you for that presentation, which was very interesting. And now we will go on to the 3rd presentation, Space Radio Regulatory Framework in China. By a representative of China. Thank you.

Thank you, Chair. I will give a brief introduction of space radio regulatory framework in China. Next, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is responsible for radio management in China. MINT shall manage radio spectrum And satellite orbit resources. Radio stations, including space stations and Earth stations, handle satellite network filings, coordinate efforts to eliminate harmful interference between different stations. Bureau of Radio Regulations, also named the State Radio Office, is one of the departments of MIT with the responsibility to manage spectrum on orbit. State Radio Monitoring Center, also named State Radio Spectrum Management Center, which is an affiliated institution of MIT, is technical agency for national radio management. Next. There are some regulations and policies for space radio management. Radio Management Regulations of People's Republic of China, which was promulgated in 1993 and revised in 2016, is the most fundamental regulation. Provisions on Radio Frequency Allocation Order of the MIT No. 22 is another important instrument. Which is updated every 3 or 4 years. The latest version is 2023. Provisions on space radio management should be in accordance with radio regulation of the International Telecommunication Union. Next, there are more than 10 instruments for space radio management. Such as measures for the application, coordination, registration, and maintenance of satellite networks, provisions and simplified procedures for international application of networks. And there are some provisions regarding space radio stations, terminal Earth stations, stations and the geostationary satellite Earth station in motion. Also, there are some provisions on redevelopment phase.

Next.

The above-mentioned regulations and policies can be mainly summarized as follows: handle satellite network filings, issue license for space stations, as well as their frequency. All station satellite communication networks, after conducting technical and administrative reviews, organize post-meters including double random, one public inspections. Next, space radio licensing can be visualized through this picture. For the space segment, there is a space station license including its frequency, and for the terminal segment, there is an Earth station license including telemetry, tracking, and commode station, gateway station, fixed Earth station, and Earth station Satellite communication network licenses are mainly for the geostationary communication satellites, and normal circumstances, licenses are issued to companies that establish the satellite network. Next, MNT released a policy named Merits for Satellite Network. Networks domestic coordination this year, as there are more and more satellite operators and satellite network systems. The policy was released in March and entered into force on May 1st. There are 6 chapters and 33 articles. The new management measures update the principles of domestic coordination Optimize domestic coordination process and reduce the complexity of domestic coordination.

Next, next.

China has more than 390 geostationary satellite networks. The submission of satellite network filing information. To ITO, including geostationary and non-GSO. There are large amounts of frequency coordination matters, always more than 2,000 international letters every year. At the same time, there are many collisions between the satellite operators' level and conduct administrative level satellite coordination about 5 to 3 to 5 times area. Next, China has more than 80 GSO satellites in orbit, including communication satellites, navigation satellites, remote sensing satellites, and We have launched more than 10 GSO satellites in recent years. Moreover, last year China has launched 3 high-orbit surveillance satellites.

Next.

Satellite radio monitoring plays a crucial role in the radio measurement, which is operated by State Radio Monitoring Center. Beijing Monitoring Station, or SRC, joined the International Monitoring Network in 2024 and is currently the largest radio monitoring station in Asia. Its main function includes interference sources localization, spectrum and orbit monitoring. Moreover, its main video range is from 10 degree to 18— 180 degrees east longitude. China is committed to update regulatory structure to promote development of satellite industry. Last year, we had developed a blanket license for low constellation such as Guo Wang and space zero constellation We encourage companies to facilitate the rational and efficient exploitation and use of the spectrum and orbital resources by using new technologies. There is another priority. We focus on space sustainability, hostages of fair, reasonable, and efficient use of spectrum resources session at the IT. and MIT High Level Seminar last year. This concludes the presentation. Thank you.

Thank you for that presentation, which was also very interesting. And our 4th and final technical presentation of this morning is Brazilian Regulation, Use of Orbit, and Space Sustainability. By Brazil. Thank you.

Gracias, señor presidente.

Thank you, chair.

Mr.

Chair, distinguished delegates, dear friends, good afternoon. My name is Tarcísio Aurélio Bacaus, and it's a great honor to stand here among such distinguished legal experts, technicians, and diplomats. I will present an overview of Brazil's satellite regulatory framework for space activities, with a particular focus on the use of radio frequency and orbit in face of the critical importance of space sustainability. Next slide, please. This presentation will cover The key legislation, the roles of relevant Brazilian authorities, and the specific contributions to ensuring the responsible and equitable use of space resources. We will also discuss Brazil's ongoing efforts to address the challenges of an increasingly congested space environment and our commitment to international cooperation in this vital domain. Next slide, please. Anatel, Brazil's national telecommunication agency, is the primary regulator for telecom services, managing quality, universal access, and competitiveness in Brazil. It protects consumer rights through standards, complaints, and mediation. Crucially, Anatel manages the national radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits, coordinating with ITU, the International Telecommunication Union, and CITEL, the Telecommunication Inter-American Committee, for interference prevention and global and regional harmonization. Next slide, please. Regarding the rational and equitable use of the geostationary orbit, and importantly, extending these principles for non-geostationary orbits, non-NGSO, Thank you. The essential principles emphasize the need for clear and effective regulations that promote space sustainability, technical and operational guidelines for the exploration of satellites, and policies that encourage international cooperation and responsible management of space resources. To prevent orbit saturation, the implementation of monitoring and control measures is crucial. Furthermore, we seek to guarantee fair and equal access to this strategic resource for all countries. Next slide, please. The Brazilian satellite regulatory framework includes some key legal instruments. The General Regulation for Satellite Operation, approved by Resolution 748/2021, establishes political regulatory rules for satellite communication in Brazil. Defining authorization rules for Brazilian and foreign GSO and non-GSO satellite systems and national coordination criteria. Additionally, the framework comprises the technical and operational requirements approved by Act 9.523/2021, which establishes technical criteria for satellite use, including operational limits and technical criteria for coordination. Satellite operation also comply with the provisions of the Plan for Allocation of Frequency Bands in Brazil, which, as the aforementioned framework, is in complete agreement of the ITU Radio Regulation, the International Treaty of Radio Communication. Next slide, please. The General Regulation for Satellite Exploration, or RG-SAT, is designed to It regulates satellite exploration within the country, defining the technical and operational requirements that satellite operations must adhere to. It establishes the procedures for obtaining exploration rights, outlining the steps necessary for entities to legally operate satellites in Brazil, reinforcing the efficient use of orbital slots and spectrum, ensuring that these resources are utilized effectively.

Thank you.

Next slide, please. The Act 9523 focuses on regulating spectrum use and ensuring operational safety and also promotes the efficient use of the spectrum, being crucial for the prevention of harmful interference. Furthermore, it establishes modern technical standards for safe operations. Next slide, please. In April 2023, Anatel published Act Number 4430, which details the commitments for satellite exploration and the criteria for conducting public consultations regarding satellite exploration rights. All operators must strive for good faith coordination to maximize orbital spectrum sharing and prioritize capacity for public policies, and the Brazilian operators must have a 24/7 control station in Brazil and national decision centers. Finally, public consultations are required for specific cases like foreign satellites, large non-GSO systems, plus than 1,000 satellites, and systems with mobile satellite services. Next slide, please. As you can see, dear distinguished delegates, the Brazilian framework for satellite regulation has an intended impact on space activities. It aims to strengthen global space governance, promote safe and sustainable practices in space operations, and contribute to the stability, stability of operations in critical orbit. Uh, next slide, please. In 2024, Brazil enacted Law Number, uh, 14946, establishing its primary legislation governing national space activities. This law is applicable to all national space activities and sets up a framework with 2 main space authorities operating in coordination: the Space Defense Authority, Air Force Command, FAB, for defense-related activities, and the Civil Space Authority, Brazilian Space Agency, AEB, for civil activities. Importantly, Anatel's mandate is preserved within this structure. The legislation specifies that civil space activities require licenses and authorizations from the AEB, with the FAB authorizing civil launch vehicle flights. The law also institutes the Brazilian Space Registry, RESBRA, coordinated by the AEB, and creates the Space Activities Accident Investigation and Prevention Systems, SEPAI, with investigations conducted by the FAB. Additionally, it provides for the allocation of resources and sanctions and has as a main objective to mitigate collision risks, debris, and interference. Next slide, please. A key development for the Brazilian framework is ANATEL Public Consultation Number 12/2024, focusing on Brazilian space sustainability, with the main objective of promoting measures relating to mitigate collision risks, space debris, and harmful interference, addressing issues such as the growth of megaconstellations and increasing operational complexity. Next slide, please. Anatel's Act 4141, April 2025, prioritized satellite frequencies by authorization order to prevent interference and protect established GSO, non-GSO. Newer operators must avoid interfering with priority systems and cannot demand protection, aiming for efficient coexistence amidst growing operations. Next slide, please. So, Mr. Chair and distinguished delegates, Brazil demonstrates a strong commitment to space sustainability through several actions. It is an active member of COPUS and ITU and adheres to the Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities. Furthermore, Brazil has implemented the regulations aligned with international best practices, operating under the Brazilian Space Activities Law, which provides a domestic framework supporting space sustainability. Next slide, please. Building on this commitment, Brazil positions itself as a strategic partner for space sustainability. Brazilian regulations reflect the principle of COPUOS guidelines and ITU regulations, demonstrating a dedication to aligning with international standards. The country demonstrates a commitment to responsible and sustainable practices and is continuously dedicated to collaboration to ensure a safe and accessible outer space environment. Next slide, please. To conclude, Mr. Chair, for possible global next steps towards space sustainability, we can suggest expanding international regulations for debris mitigation, developing technologies for safe satellite deorbit and promoting data sharing for space situational awareness and space traffic management. It's, uh, many work to do. Thanks God I need a job. Thank you for the attention. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Gracias, señor presidente.

Thank you to the representative of Brazil. Thank you, Dr. Kass. Thank you, Dr. Kass, for such a relevant presentation. We will now adjourn this morning's session, but before we do so, I would like to inform you of our schedule of work for this afternoon. We will meet at 3 PM. We will continue our consideration of agenda item 3, general exchange of views. We will then continue our consideration of agenda item 7, future role and methods of work of the committee. And then we shall start on agenda item 8, exchange of opinions on possible regulations on exploration exploitation and use of space resources. And then we will adjourn the plenary so that the Working Group on the Status and Application of the 5 United Nations Treaties on Outer Space can hold its 2nd meeting. We have no technical presentations this afternoon. Delegates are reminded that the full schedule of technical presentations Thank you. A transcript of today's consultations is available on this session's webpage. And I would like to inform delegates that today's informal consultations of the Working Group on Legal Aspects of Space Resource Activities will be held in Conference Room M3 at lunchtime. From 2 PM to 3 PM. The consultation will also be available via the MS Teams link contained in Circular CU/2025/122 dated the 15th of April, 2025. This schedule of consultations is available on the session's webpage. I will now give the floor to the Secretariat to provide information on side events.

Thank you very much, Mr.

Chair.

Distinguished delegates, during lunchtime from 2 PM to 3 PM, there will be a joint side event co-organized by the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Japan entitled Enabling Active Debris Removal and In-Orbit Services. missions, perspectives from the UK, New Zealand, and Japan. This event will take place in press room of the VIC and press room of the building here and via virtual connection. So this event takes place from 2 PM in press room. Thank you very much.

Thank you to the Secretariat for that information. Are there any questions or comments? Distinguished delegates, the meeting is adjourned until 3 PM this afternoon. Thank you.