Outer Space: Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Legal Subcommittee, 64th session, 1081st meeting

Good afternoon, delegates. We will begin this meeting. Good afternoon, distinguished delegates. I now declare open the 1,081st meeting of the Legal Subcommittee. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Madam Chair. Ladies and gentlemen, members of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Distinguished delegates, this afternoon we will continue our consideration of agenda item 3, General Exchange of Views. I would like to inform delegates that currently there is only one member state registered in the list of speakers under this agenda item for this afternoon. I would therefore like to encourage member states who are ready to deliver their statements tomorrow morning or afternoon to reach out to the list of speakers. The Secretariat informs me that there are no further requests from member states for this afternoon. As I proposed this morning, we will proceed with statements by permanent observers under this agenda item to make efficient use of our time. We will continue our consideration of agenda item 8, general exchange of views on potential legal models for activities in the exploration, exploitation, and utilization of space resources, to discuss the composition of the Bureau of the Working Group on Legal Aspects of Space Resource Activities. And we will begin our consideration of agenda item 9, general exchange of information and views on legal mechanisms relating to space debris mitigation and remediation measures, taking into account the work of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee. We will then adjourn the plenary meeting so that the working group The Working Group on the Status and Application of the 5 United Nations Treaties on Outer Space can hold its 3rd meeting. There will be no technical presentations this afternoon. Are there any questions or comments on this proposed schedule? I see none. Therefore, distinguished delegates, We will go on to our consideration of agenda item three, general exchange of views. The first speaker on my list is the distinguished representative of Argentina.

Gracias, distinguida señora presidente. Thank you, Chair. This is our first. So I would like to thank the Secretariat for their work as well as the Chair. We would like to take the opportunity to greet all delegations who are here, and we would like to thank all UN OUSA staff who have made it possible to hold this meeting, and we would also like to thank the interpreters. Chair, distinguished delegates, My delegation believes that Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development is a non-binding legal instrument, and therefore its framework will not be applicable or implemented in our nation. We would like to see this regarding the Pact for the Future and under every other agenda item and working groups. Chair, distinguished delegates, Argentina is committed to the work of this legal subcommittee, as COPUOS and its subcommittees is the forum where we can deal with all matters regarding space, the Moon, and other celestial bodies for peaceful purposes in benefit and interest of all nations, regardless of their economic, technical, or scientific development, and in line with international law. This is without prejudice to the work carried out in other foreign areas of the United Nations to prevent an arms race in space. Therefore, we reaffirm that we refer to the peaceful use of outer space and its non-weaponization. Delegates, this year once again we have an agenda full of substantive issues. We are facing the challenge to achieve the best regulatory proposals to deal with current and future space activities, all in a sustainable, responsible way that promotes peace and international cooperation. Our delegation would like to say that no guideline, principle, or regulation promoted or approved here should ignore the precepts of international law for all nations regarding space technological and scientific development in access and use of space and its benefits in an inclusive and equitable fashion, especially developing countries. Among the most urgent challenges are the legal aspects of activities linked to space resources, as well as legal mechanisms on the reduction and elimination of space debris or the management of space traffic. As we reaffirmed in the principle enshrined in the Space Treaty, the free access, use, and exploration of space without discrimination as the basis of any negotiation, we also hope to continue to perfect and approve the working plan of ACTA— sorry, ATLAS. And We will make contributions during those meetings. Finally, it is important to highlight the need to optimize the work of all working groups and teams of Corpus, especially those of this subcommittee, to avoid overlaps and duplicating work. We must avoid planning activities that overlap in time so that we can guarantee active participation of all delegations, especially the smaller ones. As this is a multidisciplinary activity, we encourage a greater interaction between our subcommittee and the subcommittee of scientific and technical issues and their working groups so that we can harmonize the work that we are doing with scientific and technical and legal development in a safe, responsible, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable way. Chair, to conclude, our country will continue to work to build— to improve capacity building, especially for space law, through workshops and courses and postgraduate studies. We would like to say that we are currently reviewing and updating our regulatory framework for greater participation and inclusion of the private sector. Our delegation will work on the agenda as long as we maintain the interests and rights of developing countries. Thank you.

Gracias a distinguida representante. Thank you to Argentina. And now I give the floor to the next speaker, which is UNICEF Global.

Mr. Chair and distinguished delegates. I am pleased to be present here to deliver a statement on the recent activities of our international NGO, UNISEC Global, the Global University Space Engineering Consortium. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Santiago Lippo Galula, chairperson of the Legal Subcommittee, for giving me this opportunity. And Ms. Arti Olamaini, Director of the Office of Outer Space Affairs, along with his— her team for their well-organized preparations. Mr. Chair, as you know, we are navigating a world marked by increasing uncertainty. Yet I firmly believe that space remains one of the most promising areas for the future. Our primary objective is to help build a world in which space science and technology are used in every single country for peaceful purposes and the benefit of all humankind. Allow me to share a few examples of our recent activities. First, we have inaugurated a new collaborative initiative called the NanoSatellite IoT Constellation Mission Program by international collaboration. The program aims to contribute to solving some social and environmental problems using data from nanosatellites through data collection from ground sensors. With more satellites in operation, data can be gathered more accurately and promptly. This program offers a strong cost-benefit ratio for participants. It is a case of small contributions, big rewards. While some technical and legal issues remain, we see this as a promising program for developing countries. Second, as a space education-focused NGO, UNICEF Global values offering high-quality, accessible, cost-effective educational opportunities. One of our flagship programs is the CubeSat Cancer Leader Training Program, CLTP. It provides essential knowledge and skills on nanosatellite technology to participants expected to play leadership roles in their home countries. This year, the CLTP will take place in August in Japan. Third, we held the 10th INSA Global Meeting in November 2024 in South Africa, in collaboration with Stellenbosch University. This marked our first meeting on the African continent. Young African researchers and university students had ample opportunities to engage in discussions on specialty topics with their counterparts worldwide. Notably, in the pre-workshop for the 9th Mission Idea Contest, they competed with each other by presenting their ideas for a lunar mission, which also required them to consider how to protect the lunar environment. The 9th Mission Idea Contest will take place in Tokyo, Japan in November this year. during the 11th ISAC Global Meeting. With a rapid increase in small satellites in low Earth orbit, we acknowledge growing concerns regarding their potential negative impacts on space activities, such as space traffic management and astronomical observation. We understand the importance of establishing regulatory frameworks to ensure the orderly and harmonized development of space activities. At the same time, it is widely recognized that space is the common heritage of all humankind and should be accessible equally by all countries, including developing nations. Mr. Chair and distinguished delegates, in closing, I emphasize again that since space is a common property of all humankind, no one should be left behind in space activities. I also want to share my favorite African proverb: if you want to go faster, go alone. If you want to go farther, go together. We sincerely hope that future rules and regulations will support us in achieving this shared goal. Thank you for your kind attention.

Muchas gracias. Thank you to the distinguished representative of UNICEF Global. And the next speaker on our list is the representative of the Committee on Space Research. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, Founded in 1958, COSPAR, through its scientific assemblies, symposia, commissions, panels, roadmaps, and publications, actively fosters sustainable exploration and use of outer space. COSPAR has a longstanding partnership with COPUS, becoming its first permanent observer in 1962. We are also proud of having concluded recently a new cooperation agreement with you in OSA. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, the search for both extinct and existing life within our solar system and beyond has been a primary motivation for space explorations since its early days. Exploration beyond Earth has primarily— has focused on neighboring planets which could have benefited from favorable habitable conditions in the past, for example, Venus and Mars. It has been demonstrated, however, that runaway greenhouse effects have destroyed any viable environment on Venus today. Mars, on the other hand, because of the interest in finding past life there, is a continued prime target for space exploration missions. Furthermore, Data suggests that some of the moons of the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn harbor water oceans under their ice crusts, which in the case of Europa and Enceladus may be in direct contact with the silicate mantle floor as on Earth and kept warm through time by tidally generated heat. Further, the icy worlds of Titan and Enceladus have organic chemistries with complex organic compounds detected in the plumes of Enceladus and in Titan's thick atmosphere, suggesting potential conditions for prebiotic chemistry and the building blocks for life. In the post-Apollo era, the first analysis of the samples returned indicated that the moon was too dry for any biological activity or even for prebiotic chemistry. Nevertheless, the Moon offers unique opportunities to study the Earth-Moon history, the geologic processes within, while also being an object of exceptional interest with features such as its exosphere, the polar regions, and a chance to perform astronomic observations. Even as recently as 2020, Observations of the Moon revealed an emission feature at high southern latitudes due to the presence of molecular water in the Moon's southern hemisphere. These regions have relevance to the broader solar system science as analogs for volatile and water availability in comets, asteroids, and other small bodies, and for the formation of inner planets in our solar system and beyond. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, against this background, the COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection and its predecessors have for many decades upheld the principles of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, advising on the avoidance of organic constituent and biological contamination introduced by planetary missions. The membership of the Panel on Planetary Protection comprises representatives of 12 space agencies and an equal number of independent scientific expertise. This is the only international mechanism set up in response to the call in OST Article 9 for appropriate measures against forward and backward contamination. The panel maintains the COSPAR Policy on Planetary Protection, a voluntary, non-legally binding standard for the reference of spacefaring nations to guide compliance with the Outer Space Treaty under the policy objective that the scientific investigation of the process of chemical evolution and/or the origin of life must not be compromised and that the Earth must be protected from the potential hazard posed by extraterrestrial matter carried by spacecraft returning from a planetary mission. In March 2024, the COSPA Bureau approved a new modernized version of the policy developed by the panel. The new policy comprises recent updates to the guidelines for the Moon, and the icy moons, and is extensively restructured and edited to enhance coherence, consistency, and better understanding of its target body categorization and corresponding requirements for the benefit of entities conducting activities in outer space. The new policy was published in the COSPAR journal Space Research Today in July 2024. Comprehensive information about the panel and the policy are available in numerous recent publications and at the COSPAR website. A hyperlink is provided in the statement. Thank you for your attention.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you to the distinguished representative of the Committee on Space Research. And now I would like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Space Generation Advisory Council. You have the floor.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Mr. Chair and distinguished delegates, it is an honor to address you today and share highlights from the recent activities of the Space Generation Advisory Council, SGAC. SGAC continues to serve as a vibrant and inclusive platform for students and young professionals aged 18 to 35 to actively engage with the United Nations space agencies, industry, and academia on matters critical to the future of outer space. Thanks to the continued dedication of our members, volunteers, staff, partners, and sponsors, we are proud to report a successful 2024 and strong beginning to 2025. Our network now includes over 34,000 members representing more than 165 countries, reflecting truly global reach and commitment to diversity and accessibility in space sector. In this context, we extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Antonino Salmeri for his leadership as chair during the 2023-2024 2025 term. As his tenure concludes, we are proud to announce the election of Mr. Sapnarao and co-chair to support Dr. Joshua Krici Maros, who has assumed the role of the chair. We are pleased to share that we have just concluded 2 of our flagship global events, SGX 2025 and the Space Generation Fusion Forum, SGFF. These events are key to the SGSC's mission of empowering next generation of space leaders and fostering cross-sector dialogue. SGX 2025, held in Washington, D.C., brought together a diverse community of commercial and civil space professionals, students, and young experts to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities in the space domain. Attendees engaged in thought-provoking keynotes, participated in business pitch competition, and took part in popular activities such as speed networking with representatives from over 20 leading government and commercial space entities. Prominent speakers included Deborah Factor of Airbus US and former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, The event successfully deepened existing relationships while welcoming our new members to SGSC. Shortly, uh, thereafter, SGFF took place in Colorado Springs ahead of the Space Symposium, convening 75 competitively selected delegates from 24 countries, approximately 60% young professionals and 40% percent students. Over 2 and a half days, participants explored themes including in-space technologies, astronaut training, policy and law, space economics, and NASA Moon to Mars initiative. SGFF's Heads of Agencies panel featuring leaders of CSA, ESA, JAXA, and UKSA offered valuable insights into global cooperation workforce development, and long-term visions for sustainable space activity. Delegates also participated in industry-sponsored working groups aimed at producing actionable recommendations on pressing topics. Sessions covered reusable space systems, space entrepreneurship in emerging markets, on-orbit servicing policy, Moon-to-Mars mission simulations, conflict prevention in space, and public-private collaboration exploration. These outcomes will help guide SGAC future focus and support evidence-informed contributions to the international dialogue on space. Looking ahead, we are now preparing for our flagship Space Generation Congress, which will be held in conjunction with the International Astronautical Congress later this year in Sydney, Australia. We are also planning regional workshops across all SGAC regions, as well, um, a wide range of local events in countries such as United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Japan, Cyprus, Turkey, and many more. We extend our sincere gratitude to all our partners and sponsors who continue to make these events possible, and we encourage all member states to deepen their cooperation with SGAC in our shared mission to ensure that space remains peaceful, innovative, and inclusive for generations to come. We are grateful for the opportunity to address this honorable subcommittee and stand ready to work together with all member states and observers To foster peaceful, sustainable, and cooperative use of space for benefit of all humanity, present and future. Thank you for your kind attention.

Muchas gracias. Thank you to the distinguished representative of Space Generation Advisory Council. The next speaker on my list is. The representative of Space Renaissance International, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for having the floor. Uh, I want to present you a proposal for a United Nations flag on the Moon. As humanity prepares to return to the Moon, we face the defining moment, meeting the pertinent themes of sustainable space governance, which represent our shared values and aims. In 1969, the first moon landing marked a giant leap for mankind. Today, with the Artemis Accords and the International Lunar Research Station leading the way, these journeys will represent inspiration and opportunity for all the peoples of planet Earth. Forthcoming and collective missions may transcend both technological limitations and national boundaries and embody insight, interchange, unity, peace, and equality in a divided world. The lunar ventures will clearly illustrate the critical interface between responsible the space development and Earth's collective resilience. Space Renaissance International, together with the Space 18th Sustainable Development Goal Coalition, proposes a powerful and symbolic act, leading out the fuse from the Moon and affirming the mutual commitment of all humankind to the guiding principles of human betterment. The planting of a United Nations flag on the moon alongside any national flag demonstrates harmonious interchange and mutual collaboration as we explore the unknown. From outer space, astronauts will experience the power and awe of the overview effect described by Frank as a profound realization of Earth's interconnectedness without borders or divisions. The display of the UN lunar flag would establish a global precedent for extraterrestrial activities. It represents a bold statement in a critical era of geopolitical tensions and retrograde wars, serving as a bridge between cultures and across national divides, and marking the transition into a far newer age beyond the shadows of human history. The unfolding of our future worldview rests upon equitable partnership and mutual respect, echoing previous collaborations in space, such as the experimental programs of Apollo-Soyuz, Mir, and the International Space Station. As diverse nations embark on the significant usage of space-based assets, it is essential that the guiding framework is adequately formulated under the auspices of the Outer Space Treaty. Such an endeavor will naturally include incremental progress towards the placement of a space weapons ban along with mutually agreed international verification mechanisms. This essential process will greatly mitigate the ever-growing threats. Of satellite and cyber warfare, resulting in the deconstruction of national grid capacities and vulnerable infrastructures such as the international banking system. The proposal calls for the placement of an 18th SDG addressing sustainable civilian space development and acting as a clearing house for the technological means which rapidly inform and address many pressing issues of poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability. Even though the return to the moon exposes far more than mere science or technological innovation, this nautical venture may properly represent our restored faith in a shared future. The lunar UN flag will inspire future generations to envision a world where sustainable collaboration and enduring progress uplift all of humanity. The Moon is the venue where humanity's highest ideals will continually shine. Planting a United Nations flag by humanity and for humanity would demonstrate our capacity for unity in diversity, opening the way to a better world. Space Renaissance International has formally proposed this historic gesture to the leaders of the Artemis Accords and the ILRS. As platform and advocates for the inclusion of NGOs as observers in the transformative global lunar endeavor. At this critical juncture, we affirm that all societies in all places seek a stable, peaceful, and secure continuum. The exponential information age has given us the ability to endow our future world and the generations to come with unprecedented opportunity. The United Nations lunar flag would state that the transformative realm of space development belongs to all of humanity, ensuring that its vast benefits remain accessible to everyone. I thank you very much.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you to the distinguished representative of Space Renaissance International. And now, so that is Agenda item 3 so far, the general exchange of views. Now let us go on to another agenda item, but I would like to remind delegations, those delegations who have not yet spoken under agenda item 3, And who would like to do so tomorrow morning or tomorrow afternoon to please join the list of speakers for tomorrow. We will now go on to agenda item 8, general exchange of views on potential legal models for activities in the exploration, exploitation, and utilization of space resources. Before we begin with the list of speakers, I would like to inform delegations on the results of the informal consultations held this lunchtime with interested delegations regarding the composition of the Working Group on the Legal Aspects of Space Resources Activities. In this regard, we agreed on the following: the nomination of the chair of the Working Group of Space Resources Activities. We also discussed the composition of the Bureau in accordance with the Terms of Reference as agreed by the Working Group and reflected in the report of COPOS in 2021, Document A/76/2021. 20, Annex 3, paragraph 4, subparagraph C, which states that the working group will be led by a chair and a vice chair with the support of the Secretariat. We discussed those 2 points today, but these were informal consultations. So So we did not make any decisions. Decisions have to be made by the subcommittee. We noted that there was only one nomination for the chair of this working group on the legal aspects of space resource activities, Professor Freeland from Australia. So the only nominee, and we also noted that within the people at the meet— meeting, there was broad support for Mr. Freeland to be the chair. With regards to changing The structure or composition of the Bureau, meaning that there is no need for a vice chair with a chair. There is enough. We heard diverging views. Some delegations were of the view. That the chair and vice chair should be maintained. Other delegations were of the view that having a chair was sufficient, and other delegations expressed the view that the position of vice chair was not necessary. What many delegations emphasized was that the substantive work should continue and move forward, and it should not be hindered by procedural issues related to the composition of the Bureau. In this connection, any delegations interested in nominating candidates for the Vice Chair of the Working Group should approach me by Monday the 12th of May at 1 PM. If any delegation has any interest in nominating a candidate for the vice chair of the working group, please let me know before Monday the 12th of May At 1 PM. So, having explained the outcomes of the informal consultations, I would like to ask the subcommittee for its agreement on the following points for action to formally adopt these tomorrow afternoon under agenda item eight. Given the board support for Mr. Freeland to be the chair of this working group, and in absence of any other nominations, I would like to know if the subcommittee agrees that Mr. Stephen Freeland of Australia be appointed as chair of the Working Group on the Legal Aspects of Space Resource Activities. It seems there is agreement. It seems we do have the support of the subcommittee. We will take action on this matter, the chairmanship of the working group, tomorrow afternoon under agenda item 8 and B4. I bring this part to an end. Any delegation interested in nominating candidates as vice chair of the working group, please approach me by Monday the 12th of May by 1 PM. Having said that, we will now go on to the list of speakers, and the first speaker on my list is the distinguished representative of Luxembourg. You have the floor.

Monsieur le Président, thank you very much, Chairman, delegates, observers. May I begin by first reiterating our condolences following the death of Mr. André Mistral, whose outstanding work continues to influence ours. Here we reiterate our support to the nomination of Professor Freeland as the chair of the working group. Luxembourg is pleased that the work of the WG on the legal aspects of space resource activities are making specific progress. In particular, we welcome the zero draft Thank you, Mr.

President.

I am pleased to report that Luxembourg is in support of the recommended principles for space resource activities and will contribute constructively to the successful conclusion of this process. Luxembourg has the goal of ensuring that space resource activities are peaceful in nature and that these resources are used in a sustainable way compatible with international law, benefiting humanity as a whole. Week, organized as is the case every year by the European Space Resources Innovation Center, the Luxembourg Space Agency, and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, will be held from 19 to 21 May. This year, we will look at short-term action leading to the implementation of the use utilization of space. It will bring together experts from the— worldwide experts from scientific, technical, commercial, legal, political, and financial circles. The legal aspects of space resources will be talked about during the first day during a panel, which will be about the regulation of lunar activities and space resources, most notably. The program of the Space Resources Week is available online, and all delegates Sir, we are the first European country and second globally to provide a legal framework for the exploration and utilization of space resources with the Law of 20 July 2017 on the Exploration and Utilization of Space Resources. 2024 was characterized by an important step taken in implementing said law. Indeed, on 2022 November 2024, the first We gave iSpace Europe a permit so as to carry out an exploration and utilization of space resources mission on the lunar surface under the law of 20— July 2017. This permit was a historical step. It is the first issued in Europe for the exploration and utilization of space resources. For a commercial mission. During the mission, iSpace Europe will conduct exploration and space resource collection activities, specifically targeting the lunar regolith using the Tenacious rover. A representative of iSpace Europe will make a technical presentation on this on 13 May. That would be next Tuesday. In line with the discussions on the Working Group on the state and application of the 5 UN treaties on space. And as per Article 11 of the Space Treaty— Outer Space Treaty, Luxembourg provided a notification to the Secretary-General of the United Nations providing information on the exploration and utilization of space resource missions conducted by iSpace Europe, launched in January 2025. We have also established a registry bringing together the various permits issued under the 2017 law. They are accessible on the Luxembourg Space Agency website. Chair, by way of conclusion, Luxembourg feels that international cooperation is key so as to provide an international framework for exploration and exploitation and utilization of space resources. To these ends, we attach particular importance to discussions on COPUOS to develop this future framework. We remain, though, open to other bilateral and multilateral initiatives for the peaceful exploration and sustainable use of outer space and its resources.

Thank you.

Thank you to the distinguished representative of Luxembourg for that statement. And now I will give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Space Generation Advisory Council.

Muchas gracias, señor presidente.

Thank you, Chair.

Generation Advisory Council sincerely appreciates the opportunity to share the united voice of the space youth on exploration, exploitation, and utilization of space resources. First, we We commemorate the late Ambassador Andrei Mishchel, an outstanding diplomat, dear friend, and true inspiration to young people interested in pursuing a diplomatic career in international law. We will be forever grateful to Andrei for his remarkable work as chair of the LSC and the Space Resources Working Group and his guidance as a longstanding advisor to SGSC. Thank you. Distinguished delegates, at SGAC, we continue to firmly believe that space resources hold the potential to increase both the sustainability and inclusivity of space exploration. We are grateful to the delegations for ensuring that the interests of future generations are duly considered in various national contributions, and thank to the— thank to the Bureau of the Working Group for reflecting the importance of sustainable and inclusive exploration and use of outer space in the first draft principles. We encourage the working group to draft an initial set of principles that can serve as key pillars, providing solid foundation for the iterative development of policies, standards, and laws based upon evolving understanding of the technological and economic realities of space resources. In this regard, we suggest for consideration by the working group: first, any set of principles related to space resources should be consistent with the Outer Space Treaty and other applicable instruments of international space law and should balance the interests of the scientific community and the commercial sector to facilitate long-term, sustainable, and safe use of outer space. We continue to believe that adopting an open and flexible concept of space resources would ensure that the principles can withstand the testing of time. Complementarily, to enhance their practical impact, we recommend drafting them in 2 parts: a general set applicable to all space resource activities and a subset specific to those conducted on the Moon, given the fact that at least the first decades of the space resource activities will be conducted on our natural satellite. Second, we suggest a reference to Article 1 OST and its province principle to encourage all states to cooperate and be inclusive in their exploration and use of the Moon, and to engage in capacity building and benefit sharing activities to the greatest extent practical taking into particular account the needs of developing countries. With a view to Article 2 OST, no actor should be allowed to exercise permanent and exclusive control over the territories of celestial bodies in any manner that can be regarded as equivalent to their de facto appropriation. Therefore, we recommend that all space resource activities should be limited in time and size depending on the nature of the resource pursued and taking into account the legitimate interests of operators. Third, in line with Article 4, paragraph 2 OST, we urge the Working Group to firmly uphold the principle that the Moon and other celestial bodies, including their natural resources, shall be used exclusively for peaceful purposes. Fourth, building upon Article 5 OST, and rescue and return agreement, we suggest that the principles declare the protection of human life as absolute priority for every lunar operation, and that it provides the— for the states to render all possible assistance to astronauts in distress, no matter their nationalities. Member states may consider towards this end to develop interoperable human life support system based on open international standards. Fifth, we suggest that the principles define a mechanism for identifying internationally recognized heritage sites on the Moon, inviting all states to refrain from altering them to the greatest extent feasible and practicable. To this end, we recommend complementing the principles with an evolving list of space resources that are internationally recognized as scarce, including appropriate preservation measures. We suggest updating this list on regular cadence to ensure its continued relevance based upon latest scientific and technological advancements. Finally, based upon Article 9 OST, we urge to ensure that space resources are used with due regard to the corresponding interests of others, and especially future generations and developing nations. This is particularly significant to regard to scarce resources and special locations to ensure their fair and sustainable uses. We also suggest that the principles encourage all states to proactively share essential information on their lunar activities required under the Article 11 OST. Thank you for the opportunity to address this committee. We stand ready to continue supporting the working group in this critical phase of its mandate. Thank you very much for Thank you for your attention.

Thank you to the representative of Space Generation. And the next speaker on our list will be the distinguished representative of the Outer Space Institute. You have the floor.

Mr. Chairperson, distinguished delegates, I thank the Chair for his leadership and the UNOSA Secretariat for their outstanding work in facilitating discussions at the LSE, which the Outer Space Institute fully supports. First, I wish to briefly introduce the Outer Space Institute to the LSE. The OSI was founded in 2018 as a global network of space experts united by their commitment to highly innovative transdisciplinary research that addresses grand challenges facing the continued exploration and use of outer space. The OSI has more than 40 fellows currently from 4 continents, including natural scientists, engineers, social scientists, lawyers, industry leaders, and policymakers. Today, growing numbers of state and non-state actors are demonstrating the intent and capability for prolonged and multifaceted mission on the lunar surface. Certain areas on the moon, such as the south polar region, could see actors operating in relatively close proximity. However, even seemingly well-separated operations could interfere with each other through, for example, long-range ballistic transport of dust, lunar space debris, and radio frequency interference. Certain science experiments could also suffer interference from distant lunar activities. In 2019, The Hague International International Space Resources Governance Working Group introduced the concept of safety zones by recommending in the Hague Building Blocks that states should be allowed to establish a safety zone or other area-based safety measure around an area identified for a space resource activity as necessary to assure safety and to avoid any harmful interference with that space resource activity. In 2020, the Artemis Accords identified that a safety zone should be the area in which phenomenal operations of a relevant activity or an anomalous event could reasonably cause harmful interference. The non-binding document identified that other actors should be promptly notified of a safety zone, that it should be temporary, and that its size and scope should reflect the nature of the operations and change over time. Safety zones have long been used in the maritime context. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea allows coastal states to establish reasonable safety zones around artificial islands, installations, and structures within their 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zones. It also specifies that a zone may extend no more than 500 meters, that due notice is required, and that no interference may be caused to the use of recognized sea lanes essential to international navigation. In the lunar context, the OSI emphasizes that there is a need for both long- and short-term coordination measures. However, a single safety zone model that attempts to address all coordination challenges at once could easily exceed reasonable safety needs and unnecessarily encroach on the freedom of exploration and use of other space actors. The OSI believes that a more flexible approach would offer greater options and be consistent with the requirements of the Outer Space Treaty, particularly the duty set out in Article 9 to act with due regard to the corresponding interests of other states. Due regard is a principle of general international law. Decades of practice in the law of the sea show that consideration must be given to the nature and importance of an activity in question, the nature and importance of the rights of other states affected by the activity, the extent of anticipated interference or impairment, and the availability of alternative approaches. There are terrestrial examples of time-limited safety measures in areas beyond national jurisdiction that are based on the principle of due regard and that seek to mediate between potentially conflicting exercises of the freedom of the high seas. A key example involves notices to air missions, NOTAMs, which are disseminated by air traffic control under the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation. NOTAMs are extremely flexible and can vary considerably in scope and duration. They alert flight crews of potential events or circumstances gases that could affect aircraft operations, including those that occur over international waters. Member States may wish to consider whether a similar Notice to Lunar Missions, NLM, system could serve the same safety purpose as most proposed safety zones without raising concerns about, among other things, unnecessary exclusion of other space actors. Safety zones could be limited to long-duration facilities and given a narrow geographical scope, while NLMs could be tailored based on the level of interference between lunar operations by different actors. Should member states decide to pursue this approach, they would likely wish to develop technical criteria for review, input, and support from all relevant stakeholders. The OSI suggests that the disaggregation of safety zones and the introduction of NLMs would be consistent with the Hague Building Blocks and the Artemis Accords, both of which emphasize flexibility of size, scope, open timing with regard to safety zones. Such an approach would draw on lessons from other areas beyond national jurisdiction that have faced similar coordination challenges. The OSI wishes to affirm its support to the chair and the work of the subcommittee. Thank you for your attention.

Muchas gracias a la distinguida representante. Thank you to the representative of the Outer Space Institute. And the next speaker is the representative of the Square Kilometer Array Observatory. You have the floor.

Chair, distinguished delegates, we appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this important exchange on legal models guiding the exploration, exploitation, and utilization of space resources. Space is humankind's most important natural laboratory. For understanding our place in the cosmos. For tens of thousands of years, humans have looked skywards and questioned the nature of the universe, and in the last century, our study has evolved with hugely sophisticated ground and space-based instrumentation now able to probe the universe in unprecedented detail. In this context, we highlight the importance of protecting the value of space as a tool for science, particularly the preservation of ground-based astronomy at all wavelengths. The Square Kilometre Array Observatory, SKAO, represents the most ambitious effort in radio astronomy to date. A global collaboration currently with 12 member states, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, and its headquarters in the United Kingdom, the SKAO will probe the early universe and enable transformative discoveries. However, its success and that of other radio observatories worldwide depends on maintaining low interference environments on Earth and in space. As a passive observational science, radio astronomy is uniquely vulnerable to interference from artificial signals, especially those emitted by orbiting satellites. These signals, even when unintentional, can create significant interference that undermines our ability to collect clean astronomical data. As the number of satellites and general level activity in space increases, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that their operations do not disrupt or negatively impact critical scientific infrastructure. This concern is not unique to SKAO but reflects a broader need to balance commercial and scientific uses of space. We therefore propose that any legal models under consideration to govern the exploitation of space resources should acknowledge the growing impact of satellite-based emissions on passive scientific services, which include radio astronomy, and should incorporate safeguards and coordination mechanisms to minimize electromagnetic interference. These could include a global framework to protect observations of international scientific value, the establishment of radio quiet zones in spaces such as the one in the shielded zone of the Moon, strengthened frequency coordination through the ITU, development of unintended emission limits and standards, and the introduction of impact assessments on dark and quiet skies as part of mission planning and approval processes. Legal models should also permit— promote transparency in satellite operations Particularly with respect to frequency usage and emissions, which would allow for early identification and mitigation of potential interference. These approaches could foster a culture of respect and coexistence between commercial actors and the scientific community, providing legal certainty to support the parallel developments of both sectors. Such measures will help ensure that the advancement of space research resources does not come at the cost of scientific discovery. In furtherance of the SKO's position regarding the need for practical legal frameworks, the Observatory, together with ENUSA, will be organizing a workshop in December this year here in Vienna. A day will be dedicated to legal and regulatory matters, and there will be additional sessions to enable capacity building in these areas. Chair, science, and in particular radio astronomy, has played a foundational role in humanity's understanding of the universe. As we consider the rapid expansion of human activity into space, it is essential that future legal frameworks and the framework for space governance upholds the principles of sustainability, cooperation, and the long-term interests of the global community. I thank you, Chair.

Muchas gracias. Thank you to the distinguished representative of the Square Kilometer Array Observatory. And now I will give the floor to Argentina.

Distinguido señor presidente.

Chair, delegates, representatives. This subcommittee has in its hands dealing with one of the processes which will define how nations, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations will deal with the new space era exploration, exploitation, and utilization of space resources. Chair, my delegation would like to express its thanks to Professor Freeland, Vice Chair of the Working Group on Space. Space resources for his work and the draft principles recommended for space resource activities, which has been made available to delegations. We understand that it is a good start for the exchange of opinions and that we can move constructively towards a proposal for the end of the mandate. We are participating in the group's meetings in order to make contributions to the document including the need to reach an agreement on the definition of resources and activities linked to space resources. The Space Treaty, plus the Convention on Responsibility, that, that of the registration of space objects, and the Salvage Agreement ratified by Argentina are the basis for the recommendations. The recommendations from this group should be made in compliance with international law, including international space law. Freedom of access, use, exploration, and exploitation of space resources must take place in a sustainable, equitable, responsible way in the interest of all countries, regardless of their degree of scientific, technological, economic development. And always for peaceful purposes. We must maintain the rights of developing countries and their right to benefit from activities related to space resources, whether these be in the hands of governments, non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, on scientific or commercial missions. Chair, since 2023, my country has been a signatory to the Artemis Accords. We believe that bilateral or multilateral cooperation has benefits because it means different regions and countries can join and can interact by sharing dates and scientific results and results of all kinds. In fact, this should be guaranteed, and they also make contributions to research and development of technologies. This feeds into the principle of transparency and mutual confidence. Carrying out joint international missions benefits the environment because it reduces the amount of objects launched into space, with less space debris and a reduction in traffic. Interoperability, therefore, is a principle that the recommendation should take on board. Space resources should be used for the benefit and interest of all nations, and there should be no interference. Interference, predictability, and information on missions or the planned missions, definitions of scopes, and the timelines are also aspects to consider. And then the work of the ADLAC team and its mandate to improve consultations relating to lunar activities, considering different options For example, a recommendation of an international mechanism would be good to have conversations between the two so that the action team can contribute and also be enriched from what the Space Resource Group has come up with. Chair, distinguished delegates, given the sad death of Chair Andres Mistral, my delegation would like to express its condolences. And supports the continuity of this group in the hands of its Vice Chair, Professor Freeland. Thank you.

Muchas gracias, la distinguida representante. Thank you to the distinguished representative of Argentina. That brings us to the end of Agenda Item 8 for today. So now We will start with agenda item 9, the exchange of views on legal mechanisms relating to space debris mitigation and remediation measures, taking into account the work of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee. I will now go on to the list of speakers. The first speaker on my list is the distinguished representative of Kenya on behalf of G77 and China. Thank you.

Chair, the issue of space debris, its proliferation, and challenges posed by its removal are a growing concern— cause for concern in the space environment. The group reiterates the need to take active measures to reduce pollution in the Earth's orbit and prevent accidents— accidental collisions of debris with space objects. The group also expresses its concern regarding falling space debris, including during launch and uncontrolled reentry, which pose a threat to human life, infrastructure, environment, and communities on Earth. In this regard, the concept of mitigation and remediation of space debris in the form of removal of debris appears to be viable— a viable method of preventing such collisions in space. The group understands that there are some contentious issues before the LSC regarding this matter. The group believes that it is important for all states to register all space objects launched into outer space. The group also believes that no space object should be removed or eliminated without prior consent of authorization of the registering state. On the issue of definition of space debris, the group acknowledges that COPOS is the proper forum for this discussion and supports consultative process involving all member states of the committee. With regard to the decongestion of outer space through remediation, the group encourages member states to adopt common but differentiated responsibilities, with the actors largely responsible for creating space debris the most involved in space debris removal activities, and that those actors should make available their scientific, technical, and legal expertise to developing countries. With regard to falling space debris, the group encourages launching states to provide advanced, proper, prompt, and adequate notification to other states, especially developing countries located along the drop zones of falling space debris, as applicable, to ensure that they are sufficiently prepared to mitigate and respond to such incidents. It is equally important to strengthen the capacities of developing countries in detecting and responding to falling space debris. Pending the adoption of legal mechanisms related to space debris mitigation and remediation, the group takes note of the relevant non-legally binding and voluntary measures such as the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines and the Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities and invites advanced spacefaring countries and other actors, especially those deploying megaconstellations, to pay due regard to their application. The group further underscores the importance of strengthening the capacity of developing countries for the voluntary implementation of these measures.

Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of Kenya who spoke on behalf of G77 and China. I will now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Chile.

Señor presidente.

Chair, Chile observes with concern the increase in space debris and its impact on the sustainability of outer space. We reaffirm that any object launched into space must be registered and its removal can— needs the consent of the registering state. We appreciate voluntary instruments such as the mitigation guidelines for space debris, but we believe it is urgent to have clear concepts and we have to have differentiated responsibilities depending on the contribution to space debris. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Chile for that statement. And now I give the floor to Canada.

Chair, distinguished delegates, the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines elaborated by this committee were a much-needed initiative to address the growing challenge posed by space debris. The Compendium of Space Debris Mitigation Standards hosted on the UNOOSA website demonstrates that states are taking action on debris in line with the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines. Canada recommends that all states review the compendium at regular intervals to provide updated information. Such a review also presents an opportunity to learn about the measures being implemented by other states and to consider whether it might be appropriate to implement similar measures in their own national regulatory frameworks. The value of the Space Debris mitigation guidelines is that they provide general standards that can be applied by each state in a manner that is appropriate for their space activities and regulatory framework. These standards can also be updated and refined as new technologies emerge and the debris situation on orbit changes. The elaboration of standards is the most effective mechanism for addressing matters of a highly technical nature because of the ability to evolve and adapt to changing situations. Evolving standards are also a proven method of achieving improved safety and harmonization amongst member states. The International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, employs this approach through the use of its Standards and Recommended Practices, or SARPs, which are frequently updated to address new challenges and technological advances. The growth, as well as the improvement Thank you. The significant improvement in the safety of civil aviation is a testament to the efficacy of the ICAO SARPs. COPUOS can and should continue to follow the approach of adopting and promoting standards and recommended practices to address the effects of space debris. The work currently underway to promote the application of the Guidelines on Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities is consistent with this approach and holds great promise for addressing space debris challenges. However, debris mitigation is not the only way to address space debris. Active debris removal, or on-orbit servicing, may one day also contribute to improving the debris situation in orbit and promoting sustainable space activities. Moving debris through various active mechanisms, such as capturing it or speeding up its deorbiting process through sails or other attachments, are being developed and tested. These innovative processes should be examined by COPUOS and its subcommittees to determine if they show promise for improving the debris situation in orbit, and because of the high level of international coordination these activities would most likely require in testing and perhaps one day employing these active debris removal techniques, it is important to recall that they can only be carried out with the consent of the state of registration The launching state or states, and the owner of the space object. There are significant liability considerations associated with attempts to remove debris from orbit. This is also the case with on-orbit servicing designed to extend the life of active satellites or one day to recycle space objects. The Liability Convention provides the legal framework for damages caused by space objects, which is based on fault for damage caused in orbit to the space objects of other states. A discussion of the liability issues and fault in the context of on-orbit servicing or active debris removal is warranted within this legal subcommittee. Chair, distinguished delegates, space debris remains a challenge to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. The work done regarding the development of the Guidelines on Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities and the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines are essential in order to implement commonly accepted and flexible standards that can be improved as technology develops. The Legal Subcommittee has an important role to play by promoting existing standards and advancing discussions on legal issues related to novel activities such as on-orbit servicing and active debris removal. I thank you.

Thank you.

Microphone, please. Thank you very much to the distinguished representative of Canada for that statement. And the next speaker is France.

Thank you, Chairman. Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, France fully supports any initiative seeking to strengthen the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. Mitigation first and foremost, as well as limitation— these are key components. We're all aware here that in the long term, even conducting outer space activities could be compromised. That's why, for a very long time, France has joined in initiatives seeking to prevent the formation of space debris. Our commitment has led to France participating in the work of various bodies designing best practices internationally, in particular the Interagency Debris Coordination Committee. Here, the CNES, which is the French space agency, is extremely active in various technical groups in international academies such as the International Academy of Astronautics and the International Astronautical Federation, and also the Air and Space Academy. France has also supported the Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability of Space sustainability of outer space activities, leading to the drafting and consensus-based adoption of the 21 guidelines during the 62nd COPRO session in 2019. We'd like to see this specific and effective implementation of said guidelines by member states of the committee. These are international mechanisms that are non-binding right now. They are, though, a first concrete Thank you. What is the Commission's view on the need for a global step towards mitigating the generation of space debris? Sir, we believe that international regulations has led to considerable progress and should be built upon. However, internationally, efforts should be redoubled and go hand in hand with national ones. That is the reason that we support anything encouraging states to refrain from creating intentionally or intentionally debris with a long lifespan. States bear international responsibility for national outer space activities as per Article 6 of the Space Treaty. It is also their responsibility to undertake any national measure required so as to ensure that space debris is effectively combated. It is thus crucial that states adopt technical national regulations that are binding and applicable to all of their national space activities, in particular those conducted by private operators. Chairman, so as to continually strengthen its policy against space debris, we've updated our national technical regulation so as to address the new systems emerging and to limit the generation It provides a strengthening of requirements having to do with the mitigation of space debris, hand in hand with other measures, such as the non-production of debris during nominal operations of an object, limiting risk of accidental breakup, or the need for passivation or escape of protected orbits at the end of missions. It introduces, inter alia, a new definition of space debris. Restriction to certain extremely cluttered orbits for non-maneuverable objects, as well as a reduction of the residual orbital time following retirement, and increased chances for success for passivation and deorbiting operations, so as to limit the risk of debris generation before and after the mission of the object. This is an appropriate legal framework securing the long-term sustainability of outer space activities for constellations and servicing in orbit. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of France for her statement. And now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Netherlands.

Mr. Chair, thank you for giving me the floor. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, in March of this year, the European Space Agency published its Space Environment Report. Its key takeaways on space debris are chilling. Instead of mitigation and remediation of space debris, we have seen in 2024 several major fragmentation events as well as many smaller ones, together adding thousands of new debris objects. This underlines the need for prevention by implementing passivation and reduced orbit lifetime measures. Also, intact satellites or rocket bodies are now re-entering the Earth atmosphere on average more than 3 times a day, yet not enough satellites leave heavily congested orbits at the end of their lives, creating a collision risk, and collision creates further debris. The report also shows that almost all space debris is the result of propulsion, deliberate action, and collision, all of which are human-made and could be avoided. It is also no secret that most orbital debris comprises human-generated objects, nor that this problem is particularly acute in the low Earth orbit. The suggestion The suggestion is sometimes made that there is no space law that obliges us, and in particular the spacefaring nations, to clean up the low Earth orbit. In the view of my government, this is not entirely true. The Outer Space Treaty and the Moon Agreement both oblige us to cherish outer space and to safeguard its exploration and use for future generations. It is not for this subcommittee to discuss the technical developments required for the reduction of the creation of such human-made space debris as a result of space operations. It is very much for this subcommittee to develop the legal framework that induces compliance with our obligations in outer space, including towards future generations. It is also for this subcommittee to promote responsible behavior in outer space, to disseminate good practices, and to develop further norms and rules, including eventually legally binding instruments. It is time to take our obligation to ensure the peaceful, safe, and sustainable use of outer space also for future generations seriously. We must promote non-legally binding initiatives an instrument dedicating— dedicated to reducing space debris. These include the Artemis Accords, the Space Debris Compendium, and the Long-Term Sustainability Guidelines. Finally, Mr. Chair, my government would like to stress that it considers the intentional creation of space debris in this day and age and at this level of development to be irresponsible and frankly unlawful. The deliberate and unnecessary destruction of a space object in outer space is unlawful. My government has joined the growing number of states creating undeniable intentional consent— international consensus declaring a moratorium on ASAT tests and will continue to support similar initiatives. However, also the incidental but preventable permanent loss of control over a space object would be unlawful. Such an object may become space debris itself or cause collisions that in turn create further long-lived space debris. Mr. Chair, as such, the issue of space debris is connected closely to that of space traffic management and cooperation. The Kingdom of the Netherlands would therefore recommend that space traffic measures are taken also with a view to taking space debris mitigation measures. I thank you for your kind attention.

Thank you to the representative of the Netherlands. I will now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United States.

Chair, the United States welcomes the continued exchange of information regarding legal mechanisms related to space debris mitigation measures. The United States has long recognized the importance of mitigating the creation and effects of space debris and supports efforts to evolve those practices to ensure continued safety of space operations in the future. The outer space activities carried out or licensed by the U.S. government comply with a robust framework of statutes, regulations, and internal policies that take into account space debris mitigation, object tracking and characterization from the design stage of a spacecraft or space launch system to its end-of-life disposal. Private sector space actors are also contributing important views to these conversations, especially as the private sector develops innovative solutions to the challenges presented by space debris. The United States continues to adhere to our U.S. governmental orbital debris mitigation standard practices, or ODMSP, which are also referenced by U.S. regulatory agencies when regulating private sector space activities. Under this framework, U.S. agencies are to evaluate the need to update the ODMSP every 2 years, the results of which we look forward to sharing at future subcommittee sessions. The interagency Space Debris Coordination Committee, IADC, is recognized as the technical authority on orbital debris by the international community. As a founding member of the IADC, the United States has actively participated in all major IADC activities in the past, including measurements, modeling, impact protection, and the development of orbital debris mitigation best practices. The United States is committed to continuing our contributions to the IADC. To improve the characterization of the ever-changing orbital debris environment and to assess ways to improve the IADC space debris mitigation guidelines to better preserve the near-Earth space environment for the safe operations of future space missions. The United States continues to implement the UN COPUSS space debris mitigation guidelines and the long-term sustainability guidelines associated with minimizing and mitigating the effects of space debris because of our strong interest in the freedom to explore and use outer space, and our judgment that these practices represent sound approaches to debris mitigation. Preventing the proliferation of space debris, especially through easily avoidable actions like conducting destructive direct ascent satellite missile testing, should be considered. This is not solely a security issue, as these actions can have significant impacts on the long-term sustainability of outer space. Outer space. Approaches to mitigation and object tracking and characterization are linked to evolving technologies. As technologies change, so too do the available methods for debris mitigation and object tracking and characterization, as well as the cost-benefit trade-offs of doing so. For example, we are confident that our Department of Commerce's TRACS system will make avoiding collisions with debris easier for any operators who wish to avail themselves of this safety-focused service. While we do not see the wisdom in codifying specific debris mitigation standards into international law at this time, given the evolving technical aspects, we support the continued implementation by member states and intergovernmental organizations of widely agreed debris mitigation guidelines and best practices. Safety and the right to explore and use space are paramount importance for the United States, and we will continue to support wholeheartedly international cooperation to further debris mitigation technology and techniques. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United States, and now I will give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom.

I'd also like to thank our industry panelists from ClearSpace, dOrbit, and Astroscale for their support and insights during the session, and welcome further discussion on this topic. The UK government recognizes the growing volume of debris in space is both environmentally and commercially unsustainable, requiring swift and shared action to clean up the Earth's orbit. The UK is committed to promoting the sustainable use of space for all and reiterates the need for collaboration and discussion on how we can work together to tackle the issue of space debris. The UK plays an active and leading role in the development of international best practice for the long-term sustainability of outer space. The UK is pleased to have signed an arrangement with New Zealand to support debris removal and in-orbit servicing missions, and we're grateful to have had the opportunity to deliver a technical presentation on this. The arrangement provides a set of principles for allocating liability between the different states involved in the different stages of these missions. It does this within the framework set out in the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, as well as setting out principles around licensing and information sharing. The UK believes that active debris removal is a key aspect of debris mitigation and remediation, and regulatory frameworks must play a key role in enabling these missions. Through innovative projects such as the Rendezvous and Proximity Operations Regulatory Sandbox, we're working with industry colleagues and the independent regulator to improve the regulatory environment in the UK for debris removal and in-orbit servicing missions, including the UK's national ADR mission. This will remove at least 2 unprepared UK-licensed and non-operational satellites from low Earth orbit and is targeting a launch date of 2018— 2020. Thank you. The UK set up the National Space Operations Centre in 2024, which provides uncontrolled reentry early warnings, information for satellite collision avoidance, fragmentation alerting and monitoring, support to license monitoring and enforcement, and space weather notifications and advice. Some of the largest debris-generating events in history have been the destructive testing of direct ascent anti-satellite missiles, most recently in 2021. The UK has committed not to conduct such tests as part of our enduring efforts to promote the responsible space behaviors. We call on others to make the same commitment in line with the General Assembly Resolution 7741. The UK national legislation incorporates internationally recognized guidelines and standards on space debris. The UK continues to be a strong advocate for the work of of the Interagency Space Debris Coordination Committee and is privileged to hold the chairship for 2025. All satellites and launch vehicles licensed by or launched from the UK meet the appropriate IADC space debris mitigation guidelines. We have also implemented the LTS guidelines in our national approach and are encouraging their widespread implementation by our own international work. As we look beyond our own planet to Moon and Mars, we must ensure that our activities minimize debris that damage the lunar environment or affect future missions. This is why the UK is developing regulation around sustainability in the lunar environment and beyond Earth orbit. The UK believes that the growing number of missions to the Moon means that beyond Earth orbit sustainability will become ever more salient. We believe that there is increasing need for greater international discussion to ensure that we protect the lunar environment for future use, and we welcome discussions on lunar debris mitigation with the ATAC. Remediating, preventing, and mitigating against space debris remains a priority for the UK. The UK believes that through robust national legislative frameworks and international cooperation, positive sustainability and safety outcomes can be achieved. Thank you, Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of the UK for that statement, and I will now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation.

Thank you very much, Chairman. Space activities today are marked by a growth in the number of launched space objects, as well as the deployment of multi-satellite systems and the design of orbital servicing technologies. The broadening span of space activities necessarily leads to a further accumulation of space debris. That is why the issue of space debris mitigation in the near-Earth space is a global one. It impacts all space actors and It is also an important factor for ensuring the safety of space flights in the long term. The documents regarding space debris mitigation— mitigation, rather, and remediation are of particular importance when discussing and exchanging views on legal mechanisms to ensure the safety of outer space activities. Currently, there are specific recommendations. These are reflected in the documents of UN COPUOS. They include the Guidelines on Space Debris Mitigation, the Preamble and the 21 Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities, the Principles on the Use of NPS in Outer Space. These documents make recommendations. They are not legally binding. The documents require constant updating and improvement given the growing number of space actors and launching of space devices, as well as given changes in space technologies. In particular, there would be a need to elaborate and adopt legally— legal definitions of space debris and space debris object. Currently, some states are actively promoting the concept of responsible behaviors in space. As per these, the criteria of malfunctioning of a spacecraft would be enough for considering its removal from space.

Thank you.

From outer space. The Russian Federation finds this approach unacceptable. In this regard, we would point out the fact that only the registering state can declare a spacecraft malfunctioning. So as to increase the effectiveness of the committee's work, of utmost relevance is greater coordination and cooperation between the 2 subcommittees, the STSC and the LSC. First and foremost, when it comes to a comprehensive consideration of issues and improving the legal and normative framework for their solution, these issues are rather pressing in terms of current space activities and require international cooperation to resolve them. These could include the following measures: defining possible deorbiting in middle-range orbits, which are not covered by the provisions of the SDM guidelines, as well as the ST— LTS, rather, guidelines. Providing information and analytical support to organizations who are planning or conducting remediation missions. Establishing that currently Internationally, there are no recommendations for collision avoidance maneuvers. Limiting space debris in lunar orbits, given the active development of lunar programs by spacefaring nations. We would like to see the crafting of international standards to manage the lifecycle of spacecraft. This includes minimizing their impact on the orbital space. This stipulates the need for strict compliance with the life cycle of spacecraft, as well as measures to limit the discharge of space debris into protected orbits when spacecraft, spacecraft are retired. Also, measures to prevent the formation of space debris. Currently, when the number of Spacefaring nations, as well as groups of spacecraft in the near-Earth space, are constantly growing. We must achieve compliance with international norms of space law, as well as the recommendations of COPUOS, by all states when they carry out space projects in international or national cooperation. In conclusion, we would note the importance of making sure that the main treaties on outer space become universal. That is because outer space and any activities and spin-off benefits therein must be used to serve all countries and all of humanity.

Thank you. Thank the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation for her statement. And the next speaker on my list is the distinguished representative of Japan.

Chair, before starting our statement, we would like to show our appreciation for attending the side event yesterday organized by UNOSA, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Japan. Japan also would like to thank United Kingdom and New Zealand to have a fruitful collaboration. Chair, distinguished delegates, space debris is a pressing issue that needs our immediate attention. The problem of space debris is severe and poses significant risks to our current and future space activities. It is a challenge that international community must tackle without delay. Japan strongly encourages all states to carry out their space activities in a cooperative and sustainable manner to prevent the creation, dissemination of long-lived orbital debris. Space debris mitigation and remediation are 2 critical approaches that can effectively address this issue. Japan has been taking a proactive and targeted approach to space debris mitigation. Japan adheres to the space debris mitigation guidelines and the long-term sustainability guidelines by incorporating them into Japanese national guidelines and space activities. In February 2025, Japan implemented new guidelines specifically targeting the prevention of satellite collisions. The guidelines call for the establishment of an organizational structure and decision-making criteria for collision risk management and call for the development of recommendations to advance collision avoidance. The guidelines aim to raise the level of competence of operators, especially those with little experience in satellite operations, and thus contribute to the safety and facilitation of orbital use. However, focusing solely on mitigation is not enough. International community must also invest in remediation efforts. In this regard, Japan has been exploring ways to remove large space debris for space environmental remediation. JAXA and the Japanese startup, startup company Astroscale are collaborating to implement the Commercial Removal of Debris demonstration known as the CRD-2 project. So far, this project has successfully acquired images of the target space debris and successfully approached the target within 15 meters. Chair, despite advances that have been made in remediation technologies, the existing international guidelines do not appear to effectively govern the use of such technologies or establish international norms. It is imperative to address and raise awareness of the need for international norms. Japan has already taken concrete actions by establishing domestic legal frameworks that align with this vision. Japan's guidelines on licensing on-orbit servicing stipulate the requirement for the execution of safe and transparent on-orbit operations. These efforts not only strengthen our national governance, but also contribute to shaping a possible global framework capable of addressing future challenges. The stability and sustainability of outer space can only be achieved through technological advancements and the establishment of effective international norms. To this end, Japan is ready to share the knowledge and insight gained from its national activities within the global community. Japan believes that by taking proactive steps, especially in the development and implementation implementation of international norms, a safer and more sustainable future for space activities can be ensured. This in turn will benefit not just our own nation but the entire global community. Thank you for your attention.

Muchas gracias, distinguida. Thank you to the distinguished representative of Japan for that statement. I will now give the floor To the next speaker on my list, which is Ukraine.

Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, the delegation of Ukraine is pleased to contribute to this important discussion. We would like to structure our statement in 2 parts. First, an overview of Ukraine's current national efforts in this domain, and second, several proposals that we believe merit further international consideration toward the development of a more coherent legal framework. First, Ukraine has a longstanding commitment to responsible behavior in outer space. As one of initiators of the Interagency Space Debris Committee coordination, Ukraine contributes to the foundational work that led to the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines. More recently, in January 2022, 2025, we took part in the update of this guidance, and we continue to incorporate the norms into national law and authorization procedures. Ukraine supports the zero debris approach and has incorporated space debris mitigation measures into its national space activity authorization procedures. These measures include improving launch vehicles and engines and spacecraft design, developing specialized software, passivation, end-of-flight operation, and responsible disposal practices. Ukrainian researchers have also conducted studies on the legal aspect of on-orbit servicing as a tool for debris remediation, particularly within the context of the future circular space economy. Second, we wish to draw attention to the growth area of concern. The harmful interference caused by non-functional or non-operational space objects and their fragments, particularly in the air and ocean environment. While current space law addressed debris mitigation primarily through pre-launch and post-mission phases, there remains a legal gray area regarding the environmental impact of the space debris reentering the Earth's atmosphere and splash down in the oceans. For instance, maritime law does not clearly classify whether such splashdowns constitute dumping, nor does it adequately address how space debris mitigation should be regulated to prevent the transfer of environmental harm from outer space to various components of the Earth's ecosystem. Conversely, the use of terrestrial resources such as nuclear power sources onboard spacecraft raises significant concerns when such objects are involved in the collision of the pre-fragmentation event, potentially causing further environmental and safety hazards to the Earth. As launch rates increase and orbital congestion grows, this issue will only become more urgent. The interconnectedness of space and terrestrial ecosystems and the reciprocal dependencies of their sustainability must be recognized in the future regulatory efforts. Therefore, Ukraine emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral consultation between relevant international organizations to align their respective mandates in addressing the protection of Earth's space environment as an interdependent socio-ecological system. This consultation could contribute meaningfully to the development of new legal and policy instruments for space traffic coordination, debris governance, and environmental protection, in line with Action 36 of the UN Pact on the future. Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thank you to the distinguished representative of Ukraine. The next speaker on my list is the distinguished representative of the Philippines.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In line with our commitment to becoming a spacefaring and space-capable nation within the next decade, The Philippines upholds the foundational principle of due regard, not merely as a voluntary norm, but as a legal obligation of all spacefaring nations to ensure the long-term sustainability, safety, and security of space activities. Consistent with Article 9 of the Outer Space Treaty, we also commit to avoiding harmful contamination and adverse changes to the Earth's environment. We are implementing space space debris mitigation and remediation measures to the greatest extent feasible. The proliferation of space debris poses real and growing threats to both the space environment and the Earth upon re-entry. To address these, the Philippines integrates the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines and the Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities, or the LTS Guidelines, In the design, mission planning, and operations of our satellites. These include limiting debris release, minimizing potential for breakups during operational phases, limiting the probability of accidental collisions in orbit, and preventing intentional destruction consistent with the safe, secure, sustainable, and peaceful uses of outer space. Mr. Chair, during our 62nd session, We informed this subcommittee about the establishment of a technical working group on orbital debris protocols. This technical working group coordinates the development of national strategies and protocols for launch and reentry risk management. As an update, we would like to inform that a workshop was recently conducted in the Philippines to assist the TWG. In its work by identifying risks and mitigation measures and establishing a response mechanism for space vehicle launch and orbital debris reentry. We also wish to share that regionally, under the ASEAN Subcommittee on Space Technology and Applications, the Philippines and Thailand are co-leading the ASEAN Space Situational Awareness and Space Traffic Management Project, a key initiative to build regional capacity and promote the role of regionalism alongside multilateralism in advancing space science and technology. Finally, in line with the LTS guidelines, the Philippines adheres to the principle of intergenerational responsibility, a doctrine that is enshrined in no less than the Constitution of the Philippines and our jurisprudence. This doctrine affirms the right to a balanced and healthful ecology, including in outer space. It compels us to manage and utilize space resources sustainably, preserve the space environment, and ensure that its benefits are shared equitably across present and future generations. Mr. Chair, we believe that the critical aspect of intergenerational responsibility is mitigating space debris. The Philippines recognizes that our proactive efforts today in debris mitigation and remediation are essential for the future of space exploration. Through these initiatives, we contribute meaningfully to global dialogue on sustainable space practices and set an example of responsible orbital stewardship. These foundational actions are crucial to ensuring that future generations can safely access and benefit from space, underscoring our commitment to intergenerational responsibility and the preservation of outer space for peaceful exploration and shared progress. Thank you, Chair.

Muchas gracias. Thank you to the distinguished representative of the Philippines. And the next speaker on my list is the distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea.

Which delegates? In recent years, human space activities have grown at an unprecedented rate, leading to an increase in space objects. This in turn has. Resulted in a significant rise in space debris, which now poses a considerable threat to the space environment. Given this worrying trajectory, it is crucial that we address the issue of space debris to ensure safety and sustainability of outer space exploration and utilization. To minimize the generation of space debris, the Republic of Korea, along with many other countries, has committed to refraining from conducting destructive direct ascent anti- satellite missile testing. In October 2024, we developed the 2nd Basic Plan for Preparation Against Dangers from Outer Space, which outlines our mid- to long-term strategy to systematically manage and mitigate the risks posed by space orbital debris. In line with the COPUOS Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, the Government of the Republic of Korea enacted a national recommendation on space debris mitigation in July 2020. We are committed to adhering to this recommendation in its future space activities, and progress is regularly reported to the COPUSS Scientific and Technical Subcommittee as well as the IADC. Key elements of this plan include the development of technologies to counter space debris, such as advanced systems for the active control of space objects, as well as the localization of space hazard response technologies. The plan also emphasizes the the need for a comprehensive response system, which involves the creation of an integrated space hazard response system and the enhancement of space environment monitoring and improved mechanism for information sharing. The mitigation of space debris is a shared global concern that requires cooperative preparation and action by the international community. The Republic of Korea firmly believes that our continued collaboration and discussions on space debris mitigation will establish a strong foundation for ensuring the safety and sustainability of outer space exploration, exploitation, and utilization. Thank you, Chair.

Muchas gracias. Thank you to the distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea. The next speaker on my list is the distinguished representative of Ecuador.

Thank you, Chair. Ecuador is making the following comments on agenda— on Agenda Item 9. Chair, distinguished delegates, Ecuador observes with special attention the growing challenge of space debris. The accelerated increase compromises not just the safety of current space operations but also the possibility of future and equitable access to outer space. Whilst highlighting the progress made in the technical sphere of COPUOS, especially through the guidelines on mitigation, my country believes it is timely for the international community to move towards the development of a binding international legal framework for the prevention, mitigation, and elimination of space debris. Ecuador believes it is necessary to establish clear obligations and principles of shared responsibility in conformity with the precepts established in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and the Convention on International Liability of 1972. The non-binding character of existing provisions generate legal uncertainty and limit the efficiency of protection measures for the space environment. For my country, a multilateral instrument on space debris should guarantee the long-term sustainability of outer space as a shared asset of humanity. Finally, Chair, Ecuador believes that dialogue for the progressive development of international space law should reflect current challenges and guarantee the preservation of space for future generations in order to assure fair, safe, and sustainable access to outer space. Thank you.

Muchas gracias, distinguida representante. Thank you to the distinguished representative of Ecuador, and I will now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Colombia. Muchas gracias.

Thank you, Chair. Distinguished delegates, Colombia acknowledges that the responsible management of space debris is one of the main current challenges for the sustainability of space activities. The constant increase of objects in orbit, both operational as well as inactive fragments, represent a growing risk for the safety of space operations, the protection of the space environment and the preservation of outer space as a shared resource for humanity. For those reasons, Colombia reaffirms its commitment to preserving the space environment for future generations and appeals to all states to strengthen international legal instruments in this sphere. We would like to highlight that it is only through active cooperation transparency and shared responsibility can we guarantee outer space as a safe, sustainable, and accessible environment for the whole of humanity. In this regard, Colombia is in favor of the establishment of regulations which will contribute to reducing space debris to achieve a better space and traffic environment, and which will facilitate the study of astronomy from Earth. We believe that guidelines to reduce space debris and guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space can be the basis for agreements and measures to adopt in order to reduce and eliminate space debris. Colombia also suggests that in the discussion and negotiation of this matter, that we consider the principles of international environmental law, such as the polluter pays and shared but differentiated responsibilities, as criteria in the definition of possible obligations for states with regards to the reduction and elimination of space debris. Additionally, this framework should take on board technological progress, promoting the adoption of good practices at international level. In this context, Colombia highlights the need to strengthen and increase cooperation with— between space states and those who are developing space technology. This should be focused on the exchange of lessons learned, good practices, technical and methodological data and analysis with regards to space situational awareness in order to prevent collisions, improve the traceability of objects, and foster the implementation of international standards for debris reduction. Chair, to conclude, my delegation would like to inform you that at national level it has adopted specific measures to align its space activities with environmental sustainability. Law 2302 of 2023 regarding the regulation of space activities establishes in its Article 3 the explicit commitment to protect both the Earth and the space environment. This law establishes that all space activities under Colombian jurisdiction have to aim for the minimization of adverse impacts, especially through the reduction of space debris, therefore avoiding pollution or anything that would damage the environment. Thank you.

Thank you to Colombia for that statement. And that brings us to the end of agenda item 8 for this afternoon. We will continue with agenda item 9, the general exchange of views on space debris, bearing in mind the work of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee. We will continue with agenda item 9 tomorrow. Distinguished Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, delegates. This afternoon we have no technical presentations, and therefore we shall soon adjourn so that the Working Group on the 5 UN Space Treaties can hold its 3rd meeting. Before doing so, I would like to inform delegates of our schedule of work For tomorrow morning, we will meet promptly at 10 a.m. We will continue our consideration of agenda item three, general exchange of views. We will then continue our consideration of agenda item eight, general exchange of views on potential legal models for activities in the exploration, exploitation, and utilization. Of space resources to take action on the question on the chairmanship of the working group on the legal aspects of space resource activities. We will continue and hopefully conclude our consideration of Agenda 8 Item 9, General Exchange of Information and Views on Legal Mechanisms Relating to Space Debris Mitigation and Remediation Measures, taking into account the work of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee. Time permitting, we will begin our consideration of Agenda Item 10, General Exchange of Information on Non-Legally Binding Thank you. We will now move to the discussion of the draft resolution on the adoption of the United Nations Instruments on Outer Space. We will then suspend the plenary meeting so that the Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultation can hold its first meeting. Following the adjournment of the Action Team meeting, we will then proceed with the discussions on organizational matters led by the delegation of India before turning to technical presentations. Tomorrow morning we will have 2 technical presentations. Delegates are reminded that the full schedule of technical presentations is available on the session's webpage. And finally, I would like to inform delegates that the working group Thank you. The Working Group on Legal Aspects of Space Resource Activities will be holding its 3rd informal consultation in Conference Room M3 tomorrow morning. This will be tomorrow morning from 9 AM to 10 AM. The consultation will also be available via the MS Teams link contained in the Circular CU 2025/122 of the 15th of April 2025. The schedule of the consultations is available on the webpage of the session. Are there any questions or comments on this proposed schedule? I see none. Therefore, distinguished delegates, This meeting is adjourned until 10 AM tomorrow morning. I'd like to now ask the Working Group on the Status and Application of the Five United Nations Treaties on Outer Space to hold its third meeting. Thank you.