Outer Space: Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, 69th session, 854th meeting

Good morning. Good morning, distinguished delegates. Please take a seat. I now declare open the 854th meeting of the Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space. Distinguished delegates, we have a very dense agenda, so please allow me to keep in mind that the 4-minute allotted for the item number 5 and 3 minutes time allotted for the other issues on the agenda. Having said that, this morning we will continue our consideration on agenda item 5, general exchange of view. We will reopen our consideration of agenda item number 11, Space and Water, at the request of Uzbekistan. We will continue and hopefully conclude our consideration on agenda item number 12, Space and Climate Change. We will begin and hopefully conclude our consideration of agenda item 13, Use of Space Space Technology in the United Nations System. And if time permitting, we will begin our consideration on Agenda Item Number 14, Future Role and Methods of Work of the Committee, pending the outcome of consultation on matters concerning UNISPACE-4 and ARAC. Thank you, Mr. President. We will then suspend the plenary meeting so that the Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultation, ATLAC, can hold its fourth formal meeting. And following the adjournment of the ATLAC meeting, We will then resume the plenary to proceed with technical presentation. Four technical presentations are scheduled for this morning, and delegates are reminded that the full schedule of technical presentation is available on the session webpage. Are there any comments or questions on this proposed schedule?

No.

Schedule? I see none. So distinguished delegates, I would now like to continue our consideration on Agenda Item 5, General Exchange of Views, and I turn to the list of speakers. And the first speaker on my list is the distinguished observer for the International Astronautical International Astronomical Federation.

Please.

Thank you, Chairman. Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, on behalf of the International Astronomical Federation, I warmly express our sincere appreciation to the Chair of the 69th COPOL session, Professor Teodoro Valente, for his excellent leadership. The IF remains fully committed to supporting the objective of this relevant gathering. As President of the IF, I'm honored to deliver an update of the Federation's ongoing initiatives and events. The countdown to the 77th International Astronomical Congress has started. The 2026 edition of the IC marks the first time in history that the Congress will be hosted in Turkey. An unprecedented number of more than 8,300 abstracts were submitted from 108 countries, an all-time record both in numbers and geographic reach in IC history. I can already add the latest record: a record number of late-breaking abstract submissions, 434 in total. This is an incredible achievement. I would also like to highlight the longstanding tradition of the United Nations IAF Workshop on Space Technology for Socioeconomic Benefit, also convened in conjunction with the AIC. As we look forward to the 77th AIC in Antalya, I would like to encourage you to mark your calendars for further editions of the Congress. As already mentioned in this session by delegations, the 78th edition of the ICE will be held in Poznań, Poland from 27th September to 1st October 2027 under the theme One Space, Shared Future, followed by the 79th edition of the ICE in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from 9th to 13th October 2028. 2028 under the theme "Rooted in the Past, Reaching for the Stars." Bids to host the 18th EIC in 2029 have been submitted by the three distinguished IAF members from Spain, Switzerland, and United States. The successful bid will be announced during the IAF General Assembly on 9 October 2026 in Antalya. I'm also pleased to officially announce that the IAF Global Space and Oceans Conference, GCOC 2027, will be held in Maldives from 3 to 5 May 2027, organized by the IAF and hosted by the Maldives Space Research Organization. Thank you. Following the successful 7th International Space Forum, the Southern Asia chapter in the Philippines in December 2025, it's my honor to announce that this year's edition, the Roman chapter, will take place in 20— on 23rd November 2026 in Rome, Italy, under the theme Space for Peace, jointly organized by the IF and Italian Space Agency. We warmly invite all distinguished delegations to join us at these important gatherings. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I thank the distinguished observer for IAF for the statement. And the next speaker is the distinguished observer of Space Generation Advisory Council.

Thank you, Chair, distinguished delegates. It is an honor to address this committee on behalf of the Space Generation Advisory Council and to share an update on the work of the global— the work of the global space youth community. SGAC continues to serve as the world's largest platform for students and young professionals in the space sector, connecting emerging talent with governments, industry, international organizations, and academia. In 2026, our focus has been on deepening impact, expanding regional accessibility, and strengthening pathways from education to employment across the global space ecosystem. Our flagship events have continued to evolve in scale and ambition. The Space Generation Fusion Forum has expanded into an immersive, high-level forum. Similarly, SGX, delivered in partnership with Ascend and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, has entered a new phase of growth with the refreshed format and a new venue in Washington, D.C., further strengthening its role as a bridge between industry, policy, and the next generation. Beyond our global events, SGAC has significantly expanded its regional and local presence with strategic emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region. In 2026, we are proud to report a growing portfolio of local initiatives in Japan, Japan. Korea, and Thailand alongside continued engagement across Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Highlights of this year's program include SG Japan in Tokyo alongside Space Tide, SG Korea in Shanghuan, and the Asia-Pacific Space Generation Workshop in Bangkok in partnership with APRSAF. These efforts are complemented by a broad global network of events spanning Europe, Africa, Latin America, and North America, including workshops and local gatherings in the United Kingdom, Egypt, Colombia, France, Brazil, Spain, Peru, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Canada. Together, these initiatives reflect SGAC's commitment to ensuring that opportunities are globally accessible. In parallel, SGAC continues to strengthen its engagement with the United Nations We are proud to continue our work on the Space for Youth initiative, which we officially launched through a live intergenerational event in Sydney, Australia. This initiative is now advancing into its next phase, where SGAC is supporting UNOOSA and member states by providing structured input, consultation, and analysis on the perspectives of young professionals regarding current and future space policy priorities. We remain firmly committed to ensuring that youth voices are systematically integrated into international decision-making processes on the peaceful uses of outer space. We are also pleased to highlight our growing collaboration with member states, including Bulgaria, where we co-organized a dedicated side event last week on June 11th, followed by a reception hosted by the permanent mission. We warmly thank all who attended and look forward to many more events in the years to come. On the capacity building front, SGAC's scholarship and awards program op— continues to expand significantly, with more than $200,000 USD awarded annually to support students and young professionals in accessing global space opportunities. This remains a cornerstone of our mission to reduce barriers and ensure equitable participation in the space sector. Looking ahead, SGAC is also advancing a key strategic priority, strengthening the transition from education to employment. To this end, we are developing a new global hiring and opportunities platform designed to serve as the final stage of our workforce development pipeline. This initiative will directly connect our most talented and capable members with opportunities across industry, government, international organizations. We warmly invite member states, agencies, and observers interested in supporting or engaging with this initiative to connect with us as we move toward its launch. Distinguished delegates, SGEC remains committed to ensuring that the next generation is not only represented in global space discussions, but actively empowered to shape them. Through our events, partnerships, UN engagement, and emerging workforce initiatives, we are working to build a more connected, inclusive, and opportunity-driven global space community. We are grateful for the continued support of member states and partners and we look forward to deepening our collaboration in the years ahead to ensure that space remains peaceful, sustainable, and accessible for all humanity. Thank you for your kind attention.

I thank the distinguished observer of Space Generation Advisory Council for the statement, and the next speaker on my list is the distinguished observer for Astro Access. You have the floor.

Thank you, Chairman. Chair, distinguished delegates, on behalf of AstroAccess, we are honored to attend this 69th session on the Committee of the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and to address the distinguished member states of the United Nations. AstroAccess is a nonprofit organization based in the United States. Our mission is to advance accessibility in space research, habitat design, and astronaut training, improving the safety and efficacy of human space exploration. Since 2021, AstroAccess has conducted 7 microgravity missions in which an international team of researchers with disabilities known as AstroAccess ambassadors design and perform experiments on board parabolic flights. Our ambassadors have also carried out accessibility research through through analog astronaut missions, hypergravity centrifuge training, and aerospace consulting.

I am proud to be one of these ambassadors. I'm speaking to you today through a sign language interpreter, a first in the history of COPAS. When I decided I wanted to be an astronaut, I realized that this industry was not built for me. The standards, the training, the habitat designs, None of it assumed I would be there. But I decided that exclusion would not define my future. I'm the first deaf Asian female pilot in the world and one of the first deaf people to participate in analog astronaut training programs. On one of our AstroAccess parabolic flights, my deaf crew and I tested color-changing light signals as substitutes for verbal cues during gravity transitions. [SPEAKING CHINESE] The transit— the cabin was extraordinarily loud, so much so that the hearing crew could not reliably hear the announcements. They were, in that moment, deaf. And so they followed our lights. A solution built for the deaf crew members became an improved safety system for everyone. Disabled people are expert navigators of environments not built for us. In space, every human enters an environment in which we were not built to survive. Space, in this sense, disables everyone.

Looking to the future, the space sector is preparing for longer duration missions, lunar habitation, and commercial space stations. As the executive director of AstroAccess, I urge the global space community to prepare for the fact that disabilities, whether permanent, temporary, or environment-based, will eventually be acquired in space. The space infrastructure decisions being made today will impact operations for generations to come. To advance accessibility, AstroAccess has consulted with the NASA Johnson Space Center astronaut trainers and with numerous commercial space companies. We partnered with Blue Origin on accessibility for New Shepard, the space vehicle that carried AstroAccess Ambassador Mihai Benthaus to space in 2025, making Benthaus the first wheelchair user in space. By partnering with the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, we are also working to ensure that students with disabilities can see themselves in the future of space exploration. At AstroAccess, we believe that if we can make space accessible, we can make any space accessible. We call upon member states— Thank you. Permanent observers, space agencies, and research institutions to actively engage the disability community in shaping the next generation of space policy and infrastructure. We aim to serve as a resource to the esteemed parties represented here today. By advancing accessibility in space, we advance safety, innovation, and opportunity for everyone on Earth and beyond it. [FOREIGN LANGUAGE] We thank you for your time.

I thank the distinguished observer for us— for the statement. And we will continue our consideration on Agenda Item Number 5 this afternoon. Distinguished delegates, I would now like to reopen our consideration on Agenda Item Number 11, Space and Water at the request of Uzbekistan. So distinguished representative of Uzbekistan, you have the floor, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The delegation of Uzbekistan welcomes the continued attention of the committee to the importance of the topic of space and water. For Uzbekistan and the Central Asian region, water security is one of the most pressing challenges of sustainable development. Climate change, glacier retreat, increasing water stress, and the environmental consequences of RLC crisis continue to place growing pressure on water resources across our region. The importance of addressing water-related and environmental challenges has been consistently emphasized by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, notably at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2021. Recognizing the severe environmental, social, and economic consequences of the RLC crisis, Uzbekistan has actively promoted international initiatives aimed at supporting the sustainable development of the region. A landmark achievement of this— in this regard was the United Nations General Assembly resolution declaring the Aral Sea region a zone of environmental innovations and technologies. Mr. Chair, in Uzbekistan, Earth observation and geospatial technologies are increasingly integrated into national water management practices. And support ongoing reforms aimed at modernizing the sector. The Government of Uzbekistan is currently implementing a unified digital water management platform that integrates the water management institutions into centralized digital system. To support these efforts, the Water Management Digitalization and Monitoring Center was established in 2026.

Thank you.

In addition, through the processing of the multispectral satellite imagery, Uzbekistan has introduced new approach for assessing water consumption on agriculture lands, contributing to improved irrigation efficiency and more sustainable use of water resources. Mr. Chair, we continue to participate international initiatives including projects implemented within the framework of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, focused on drought assessment, salinity monitoring, and sustainable resource management through the use of space technologies. Mr. Chair, together with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Uzbekistan is actively preparing to host the next Space Water Conference in 2027. Given the increasing impact of the climate change on water resources and unique challenges faced by the region such as Central Asia, we see this conference as an important opportunity to strengthen partnerships, share experiences, and advance innovative space-based solutions for sustainable water management. We invite all member states, international organizations, academia, and industry representatives to actively participate in this event and contribute to global dialogue on water security and sustainable development. Mr. Chair, Uzbekistan remains firmly committed to international cooperation and peaceful use of outer spaces and believes that space technologies can make a meaningful contribution to achieving water security, environmental sustainability, and resilience for future for future generations. I thank you.

Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of Uzbekistan for the statement. And we have concluded our consideration of Agenda Item 11, Space and Water. So distinguished delegates, I would now like to continue and hopefully conclude our consideration Now, on Agenda Item Number 12, Space and Climate Change. First speaker on my list is the distinguished representative of Chile. Señor Presidente.

Chair, Chile recognizes that climate change is one of the most urgent challenges of our age. Space capabilities are essential for better understanding its effects, to support adaptation measures, and to strengthen mitigation mechanisms. The Framework Convention on Climate Change establishes an institutional framework that guides Chile's response to this challenge. Its application requires trustworthy, updated, and technically verifiable territorial information. And so our updated National Space Policy from 2025 incorporates space technologies to the country's climate effort and gives the National Space Centre a relevant role to play in strengthening our national satellite system through the development of new satellites that give us better data for decision-making. These capabilities are particularly relevant when it comes to environmental emergencies that have had serious consequences for the country. Over the past years, Chile has dealt with large-scale forest fires, including the Valparaíso emergency in 2024, which caused a loss of human life. In this case, satellite information helped with the work of national institutions through emergency mapping and subsequent data analysis, providing a technical foundation for reconstruction efforts. The magnitude of these emergencies is not exclusive to our country. Latin America and the Caribbean are dealing with similar risks Which means we need adapted cooperation suited to the needs of the region and aimed at facilitating the practical use of satellite information. Chile therefore welcomes the opportunity to progress towards shared repositories that bring together methodologies and data that is applicable to environmental emergencies, facilitating their incorporation into national and regional plans for adaptation and mitigation. Therefore, COPUS can also contribute by bringing together space capabilities to those who design and implement climate policies. It is not enough simply to have data. We need to strengthen national capacity to interpret them, to integrate them into public information systems, and to transform them into operational decisions. Julie believes that this should be a relevant field for international cooperation, in particular for countries with greatest technology and institutional gaps. Space's contribution to climate action can be measured through its ability to close gaps, to improve traceability of information, and to support evidence-based public decisions. Chile will continue to promote space cooperation that helps to transform data into concrete tools to protect people, territories, and ecosystems. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Chile for the statement. Next speaker is the distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea.

Mr. Chair, the Republic of Korea recognizes the vital role of space technology in responding to climate change and strengthening disaster resilience. In this regard, we are developing an array of operational services that integrate satellite data, AI, and digital platforms to support climate action and disaster management. In the area of atmospheric environment monitoring, the Korean government has developed AI-based technology utilizing data from the Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer. This innovation has successfully reduced processing time for ultrafine dust data while enhancing observation accuracy and has been available to the public since March this year. Additionally, since May, we have provided estimated ozone concentration visualization service through web and mobile applications by combining numerical models with AI. Moving forward, we plan to expand expand these services to include broader air quality parameters, delivering even more reliable atmospheric environmental services. In the meteorological sector, the Republic of Korea is advancing the development of an AI-based nowcasting system, Alpha Weather, which is designed to provide ultra-short-term rainfall forecasts within a 6-hour window. We are also enhancing early warning capabilities for climate-related disasters through AI-based flood forecasting systems, wildfire risk prediction systems, and solutions for rainfall and damage prediction. These efforts significantly reduce response times and strengthening national preparedness against severe climate disasters. Mr. Chair, the Republic of Korea places great importance on international cooperation in this agenda. The Korea Meteorological Administration has successfully implemented projects to establish receiving and analysis systems for the GeoComSat-2 satellites in Bangladesh and Cambodia, while also developing integrated typhoon monitoring and forecasting platforms with Lao PDR and Philippines. In alignment with the United Nations Early Warnings for All initiative, we are supporting developing countries to strengthen their meteorological observation networks. A key example is our ongoing early warning system project in Lao PDR from 2024 to 2027. In addition, as a regional training center of the World Meteorological Organization, we are continuously contributing to international capacity building. This April, we shared advanced meteorological technologies and forecasting methods with 7 Asian countries, including Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Philippines, strengthening practical analysis capabilities where most needed. We further note that the plenary session of the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites was hosted by the Republic of Korea in Seoul. From June 2nd to 4th, 2026. In closing, the Republic of Korea remains committed to fostering climate action and disaster resilience through convergence of AI, satellite technologies, and digital platforms. We will continue to enhance international partnerships to ensure equitable access to and utilization of space technologies for the benefit of the global community. Thank you, Chair.

Thanks for the statement by the distinguished representative of the Republic of Korea. Next speaker is the distinguished representative of Netherlands.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, the Kingdom of the Netherlands welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the discussion on space and climate change. We underline the essential role of space-based systems in supporting global efforts to address climate change and strengthen resilience. As a low-lying delta country, The Netherlands is highly aware of the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, changing precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. These developments affect our environment, infrastructure, and the economy, and highlight the need for reliable information and effective adaptation measures. In our view, Earth observation has become an indispensable tool for understanding and responding to climate change. Satellite data provide critical information on greenhouse gas emissions, sea level rise, land use change, and ecosystem degradation, helping policymakers make informed decisions. The Netherlands continues to invest in the use and development of space-based capabilities that support climate monitoring and environmental protection. Institutions such as the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute— combine satellite observations with advanced modeling techniques to improve weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and risk assessment. The Netherlands also has a strong track record in the field of emissions monitoring. Dutch-developed instruments such as TROPOMI have become a global reference for monitoring air pollution and detecting methane emissions. Building on this success, the Netherlands is contributing to the development of the TANGO mission within with the European Space Agency, which will further strengthen capabilities for monitoring carbon dioxide and methane emissions from space. International cooperation remains essential. The Netherlands actively contributes to European programs such as Copernicus and supports the development of downstream climate services. We also participate in collaborative initiatives within ESA and EU frameworks aimed at climate adaptation, environmental monitoring, and nature-based solutions. Furthermore, we believe that climate-relevant satellite data should be accessible to all countries. Open data policies, technical assistance, and capacity-building efforts are important to ensure that developing countries can also benefit from space-based information in support of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. Thank you.— goals. The Netherlands also values strong cooperation between governments, academia, and industry. By combining Earth observation with artificial intelligence in city management and advanced analytical tools, we can improve climate services and strengthen evidence-based policymaking. Mr. Chair, addressing climate change requires sustained international cooperation and a strong scientific foundation. The Netherlands remains committed to working with partners who co-pose in USAR and other international frameworks to maximize the contribution of space-based applications to climate resilience and sustainable development. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you. I thank the distinguished representative of the Netherlands for the statement. Next speaker, distinguished representative of China.

Mr. Chair, Climate change is one of the major challenges facing humanity in our time. In our efforts to address climate change and its adverse impacts, space technologies play a vital role. China attaches great importance to using space technologies to address climate change across sea, land, and sky. For meteorological monitoring, China successfully launched its second-generation polar-orbiting satellites to meet the needs of space weather forecasting and support services. We also successfully launched the geostationary meteorological satellites to provide high-precision products and services for weather forecasting and environmental monitoring. In the area of terrestrial ecological mapping, China successfully launched its 3D mapping satellite, further enhancing coverage and emergency monitoring capabilities. We have also officially put into operation the world's first high-orbit SAR satellite serving the needs of different sectors including water conservancy, meteorology, environmental protection, and forestry. In terms of marine environmental observation, the Ocean Salinity Monitoring Satellite has officially entered service, providing support for marine disaster prevention and environmental monitoring. A new generation ocean color satellite is now in operation. It monitors global oceans, offshore areas, coastal zones, and islands, focusing on ocean color, suspended matter, and aquatic ecological environment on a large-scale, continuous, and dynamic basis. China continues to deepen international cooperation, empowering disaster prevention and reduction through space technologies, and demonstrating its responsibility as a major country. China's space technologies are an important force in international disaster reduction. And relief efforts. China makes full use of international organizations and mechanisms such as the Charter, APSCO. In response to 83 disasters worldwide, including floods in Venezuela and Thailand, China has dispatched civil and commercial remote sensing satellites for over 500 imaging tasks and provided over 1,600 Chinese data scenes, effectively supporting disaster assessment and Rescue decision-making. China renewed the UN SPIDER project with funding agreement with UNOSA, continuing to provide financial and technical support to the UN SPIDER Beijing office. Through this platform, China contributed to response to meteorological disasters such as floods in Sri Lanka, as well as landslides and flooding in Indonesia by providing satellite imagery and emergency mapping services, supporting affected countries in their emergency response efforts. In effectively utilizing space technologies to address climate change challenges, China has fully demonstrated its commitment as a major country to fulfilling international obligations and building a community with a shared future for all mankind. Space technologies hold great promise for addressing climate change. The rapid development of China's space sector has contributed to global climate governance with new technological solutions. China stands ready to continue to uphold the concept of a community with a shared future for all mankind and promote the exploration and uses of outer space for the benefit of all humanity. Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

I thank the distinguished representative of China for the statement. Next speaker is distinguished representative of Venezuela.

Muchas gracias, señor presidente.

Thank you very much, Chair. Chair, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, like other nations, has suffered the serious effects of climate change. We have witnessed a progressive increase in the number and frequency of extreme climate events, such as floods and landslides, which have led to huge loss in human life and material damage. Therefore, this delegation would like to reiterate that the use of information obtained through remote detection systems is essential to tackle the consequences of climate change in the most effective way possible. In the case of Venezuela, data coming from our national platform is used to monitor climate variability. We also have the support for— of international cooperation mechanisms specifically created for for these purposes. Therefore, this delegation would like to highlight the importance of strengthening international cooperation with, with specialized organizations in this field, such as the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters. These types of bodies create a positive impact on risk management for developing countries, as is the case of Venezuela, which has received the very valuable assistance of this organization and in various natural disasters such as floods and landslides. Chair, bearing in mind the huge value of space applications to tackle this problem and bearing in mind that developing countries benefit hugely from receiving information and sharing experiences in this field, this delegation supports all initiatives that promote this type this type of cooperation. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Venezuela for the statement. Next speaker, distinguished representative of United States.

Thank you, Chair.

As we have said previously during the session, the United States is focused on getting the UN back to basics. Technical bodies like COPU must focus on topics and issues firmly within their purview and avoid deviating into unhelpful and divisive rhetoric. As we have consistently stated at the STSC and LSE, we must avoid lengthy debates on language and concepts that serve only to divert member states' attention away from this committee's technical expertise. These diversions include the widespread reaffirmation of the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals, and climate change throughout the reports, which the United States and other delegations have rejected as they advance a program of soft global governance that is inconsistent with the principles of national sovereignty. We will continue to advocate for focusing COPUS on its core technical competencies.

Thank you. Thanks to the distinguished representative of the United States. For a statement, next speaker is distinguished representative of Pakistan.

Thank you, Chair. Pakistan is among the countries most severely impacted by climate change.

Phenomenon like temperatures exceeding by 51 degrees Celsius, rising sea levels, accelerating Himalayan glacier melt, and an escalating frequency of extreme weather events are straining our economy, economy and threatening our agriculture sector.

Compounding this crisis is the superhumanitarian tool of air pollution.

Each year, thick smog engulfs central Pakistan, triggering long-term public health emergencies and crippling key economic sectors.

These are not mere future projections, rather present realities.

Chair, to confront this challenge, Pakistan is harnessing the power of space technology to monitor environmental changes and drive evidence-based policymaking.

Sparko, in partnership with National Disaster Risk Management Fund, is developing the region's first natural catastrophe model using geospatial data to project the physical and financial risks of floods, droughts, and cyclones at the local level, ensuring risk-informed investment.

In March 2026, SPARCO launched the Space for Climate Initiative. It is a digital platform transforming satellite data into actionable insights by tracking greenhouse gases, coastal dynamics, and imminent extreme weather events.

Through a decade-long partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Pakistan has produced a comprehensive glacier atlas for the Hindu Kush Himalaya region using historical satellite imagery.

Thank you. Chair, climate change knows no borders and neither most our solutions.

In this regard, Pakistan promotes international cooperation through measures such as hosting the UN SPIDER Regional Support Office and under APSCO conducts forest carbon stock assessments and mangrove monitoring from space.

In October 2026, we will host the International Conference on Leveraging Space Technology for Early Warning for All and climate action alongside an international training course in space-based disaster management.

Chair, Pakistan is committing—

committed to building that climate resilient future in partnership with UNOSA and all member states.

I thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Thanks to the distinguished representative of Pakistan for the statement. Next speaker, distinguished representative of Ghana.

Thank you very much, Mr.

Chair.

Ghana thanks the Committee for this opportunity to contribute under Agenda Item 12. For Ghana, climate change is not an abstract future challenge. It is a present reality visible in recurring floods devastating communities and infrastructure, changing rainfall patterns, undermining agricultural productivity, coastal erosion, threatening livelihoods and environmental degradation across ecosystems. In responding to these challenges, Ghana has come to appreciate the critical role of space science and technology as indispensable practical tools for climate action.

Mr.

Chair, flooding is among Ghana's most pressing climate-related challenges. Reoccurring floods in Accra, and across the country has caused loss of lives, destruction of property, and significant economic disruptions. To strengthen preparedness, Ghana is collaborating with international partners under a digital twin initiative supported through UNOOSA and the Government of Japan, using satellite imagery, earth observation data, and artificial intelligence to simulate floods scenarios, identify vulnerable areas, and support evidence-based disaster risk management. Ghana is also applying Earth observation and artificial intelligence to support climate-smart agriculture through crop monitoring and yield prediction, and using space-based technologies to track coastal erosion, where shoreline retreat reaches up to 2 meters annually, in some areas, as well as land use change affecting forests and water bodies vital to climate resilience. These efforts demonstrate that for developing countries, the greatest value of space technologies lies in supporting climate adaptation, providing actionable information for urban planning, agricultural management, disaster preparedness, coastal protection, and ecosystem management.

Thank you.

Mr. Chair, Ghana's National Space Policy recognizes the centrality of Earth observation in supporting climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development. Through our active engagement with the Group on Earth Observation, Ghana continues to promote evidence-based policymaking and the use of geospatial information for climate resilience and disaster preparedness. We recognize, however, that many developing countries face significant challenges in harnessing the full potential of space technologies for climate action. Ghana therefore welcomes continued support from UNOOSA, UN SPIDER, Group on Earth Observation, and other partners for capacity building data access, technology transfer, and collaborative research. In conclusion, Mr. Chair, climate change is a global challenge requiring global cooperation. Space technologies provide humanity with an unparalleled ability to observe our planet, understand evolving risk, and support timely, informed responses. Ghana remains committed to advancing Earth observation geospatial technologies, artificial intelligence, and space science in support of climate resilience, food security, environmental protection, and disaster preparedness, and ensuring that the benefits of these technologies are accessible to all countries, contributing meaningfully to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and a more resilient future for all. I thank you, Chair.

Thanks to the CEO of the Thank you, distinguished representative of Ghana, for the statement. Next speaker, distinguished representative of France.

Merci, Monsieur le Président. Thank you, Chair. Distinguished Chair, distinguished delegates. The systems designed by CNES in the spirit of international cooperation foster progress and implementation of those SDGs that are related to societal resilience and climate action. CFOSAT, the French-Chinese oceanography satellite, has been contributing since 2018 to our understanding of wind and waves at the ocean surface. This is used in wind and wave power facility operation. IASI, the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer, have been flown since 2006 aboard European satellites used for weather and climate forecasting and atmospheric research. In August 2025, a new generation IRCN-G was launched into orbit to ensure observation continuity crucial to the monitoring of a dozen key climate variables defined in the Global Climate Observation System. The European Union's Copernicus program, to which France contributes, closely monitors climate change and remains crucial to the elaboration of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. In summer of 2026, UMETSAT, the third satellite of the Meteosat-3 3rd generation program, MTG-12, will be launched from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana. The Meteosat program contributes to the Global Observation System for meteorology and climatology. Its upgraded functions will allow European meteorological services to refine their short-range forecasting during extreme weather events. In the years to come, the Trishna mission developed by— developed with the Indian Space Agency will allow better understanding of thermal trends, notably in urban areas. The French-UK MicroCARB mission launched in 2025 will enable the stocktaking and mapping of CO2 sources and sinks globally. The French-German MERLIN project will involve monitoring of the atmospheric methane, the second biggest cause of man-made climate change after CO2, but with a higher warming coefficient. CNES is also a leading driver behind stratospheric balloons. This unique This technology allows measurement of climate and meteorological variables in the upper atmosphere that are inaccessible by any other means. CNES is now preparing the Strataeo-2 program's final long-term stratospheric flight campaign whose purpose is to study currents in and the chemistry of the equatorial lower stratosphere in the winter season of 2026 to 2027. The mission will overfly 95 states which will be able to access valuable scientific data during the campaign Thank you, Jane. The Space Climate Observatory, SCO, continues to expand with a number of new accessions since its third congress. Its international charter now has 61 signatories, of which 33 are countries. SCO's portfolio comprises 139 operational applications in 50 countries with the active support of UN-USA. SCO will also be one of the thematic strands of the Paris Space Summit on 9th to 10th of September September. 2026. Thank you.

Thanks to the distinguished representative of France for the statement. Next speaker, distinguished representative of Ecuador.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you very much and good morning, Chair. Ecuador would like to reiterate its strong commitment to the peaceful use of outer space and recognizes the essential role played by space technology to understand, monitor, and tackle the challenge of climate change. As a megadiverse country, Ecuador is home to unique ecosystems of global importance, including the Amazon region, the Andean ecosystems, the coastal regions of the Pacific, and the Galápagos Archipelago. These territories are particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change, the impact of which—

Thank you.

Can be seen through alterations in rainfall patterns, extreme climate events, changes in ecosystem dynamics, and an impact on the most vulnerable communities. For Ecuador, monitoring the El Niño phenomenon is a strategic priority due to the impact that it generates on the population, critical infrastructure, agricultural production, water resources, and ecosystems. In this context, space technology play—

Thank you.

Plays a key role through the use of meteorological satellites and Earth observation systems that help us monitor variables such as sea surface temperature, atmospheric circulation, clouds, and precipitation patterns. This information strengthens our understanding of how this phenomenon evolves through early warning system— improves early warning systems and supports planning and timely decision-making, helping to reduce vulnerability among communities and to improve our capacity for preparedness and response to these effects. Agoda also recognizes the growing importance of space climate monitoring and its effects on daily activities in society. Phenomena that originate in the sun can affect navigation systems, telecommunications, internet services, meteorological monitoring, and, and technologies that citizens and productive sectors depend upon. Therefore, great effort is being made to monitor space climate with international collaboration, in particular through exchanging space data, which has allowed us to build products which can be distributed for decision-making. Building up our observation capability and understanding space weather helps to protect essential services, guaranteeing the—

Can Continuity you repeat that?

of critical infrastructure and strengthening resilience among populations when it comes to these disturbances which can affect systems used for Earth observation, risk management and respec— and response to climate change events. These space capabilities, both for monit— environmental monitoring and for monitoring ocean, atmospheric and space phenomenon, are fundamental tools for tackling the challenges In the face of the challenges of climate change in this context, Earth observation has become an essential tool for generating scientific information that supports the creation of public policy, territorial planning, and the design of adaptation and mitigation strategies. Access to geospatial information helps us monitor phenomena such as the thinning of the Andean glaciers, the evolution of Amazon ecosystems, coastal erosion, changes in the use and coverage of soils and other processes associated with climate change. Ecuador believes that international cooperation, exchange of information, building capacity, and equal access to Earth observation data are essential elements for developing countries so that they can effectively respond to the challenges of climate change both now and in the future. We also recognize recognize the important role played by the United Nations, UNOSA, and different international initiatives that promote the use of space technology to support climate action and sustainable development. Finally, we'd like to reiterate that climate change is one of the major challenges of our age and that space applications are a strategic tool for understanding its effects, strengthening our societal resilience, and progressing towards a more sustainable future for present and future generations. Thank you.

Thanks to the distinguished representative of Ecuador for the statement. Next speaker, distinguished representative of India.

Good morning, Mr. Chair, and distinguished delegates. Climate change remains one of the most pressing global environmental challenges— and continues to demand the focused attention of the international scientific community. Space-based observations play a critical role in understanding climate processes, strengthening resilience, and supporting evidence-based policymaking. Mr. Chair, India's Earth observation satellites significantly contribute to climate monitoring and weather forecasting. The Oceansat series and the third-generation INSAT satellites provide vital information on oceanic and atmospheric parameters. OceanSat-3 delivers data on chlorophyll distribution, potential fishing zone advisories, algal bloom alerts, and ocean surface wind vectors essential for cyclone tracking and weather prediction. It also provides aerosol optical depth data that support monitoring of air quality. Scatterometer data from OceanSat series are widely used by Indian and international meteorological agencies. The land use and land cover data from the Indian remote sensing satellite series support numerical weather prediction models through improved representation of land surface processes. In addition, India continuously disseminates geophysical products and essential climate variables through the NICES web portal to support climate research and applications.

Mr.

Chair, the Himalayan region, with its extensive snow with snow and glacier cover is highly vulnerable to climate change. Accelerated glacier melting is causing the formation and expansion of glacier lakes, increasing the risk of glacier lake outburst floods. Long-term satellite monitoring is essential for assessing glacier retreat, evaluating risks, and understanding climate impacts. Mr. Chair, SCATSAT scatterometer observations since 2017 show depletion of sea ice in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions with significant ecological and climatic implications. At the same time, satellite-based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index records indicate that Indian ecosystems have experienced noticeable greening during 2001 to 2025. Mr. Chair, India, together with international partners, continues to advance the use of space technology for Climate resilience, the NISAR mission is providing significant climate and environmental data to the global community. The upcoming international collaboration missions such as Trishna and the G20 satellite mission for climate and environment will also contribute to these objectives. Thank you, Chair, and distinguished delegates, for your kind attention.

Thanks for the statement by the distinguished representative of India. Next speaker, distinguished representative of Panama.

Thank you very much, Chair. Under item 12 on space and climate change, my delegation would like to underscore that climate action increasingly depends on continuous, comparable, and trustworthy data. We cannot adequately monitor something which we cannot measure. We have confirmed that the periods 2015 to 2025 were the 11th— the 11 hottest years ever registered, with approximately 1.43 degrees C over the industrial— over the average. This data is essential. The Climate Observatory identified 55 essential climate factors for measuring the climate through the UNFCCC and through, through the Intergovernmental Group on Climate Change. Space observation are two-thirds of this. This means that satellites do not only produce images, they produce images of terrestrial and marine temperatures, greenhouse gases, clouds, soil data, vegetation, ocean data. This information allows us to improve our climate models and to work, to work with more accuracy. For developing countries, tropical countries exposed to meteorological variability, this is essential. Climate action means we need to know where extreme heat is increasing, where we are seeing differences in rainfall, where we are seeing increased sea temperatures, where water vulnerability is increased, and where we need to invest in adaptation. Satellite imagery, for example, helps us to it measures the sea temperature. This information is essential for coastal areas, critical areas, and vulnerable communities. For this, we believe we must not only have more satellites, but also converting climate observation into useful climate services, accessible information, timely information, interoperable information, which is understandable to National non-scientists. Thank you. authorities, local governments, civil protection agencies, scientific community, and decision makers. We also believe that COPUS and UINOSA can continue to build international cooperation so that space data can be reduced— can be reduced into early warning systems, planning systems, and to help us to protect human life. Thank you very much.

Thanks to the distinguished representative of Panama for the statement. Next speaker is distinguished representative of South Africa.

Thank you, Chair, for giving South Africa the opportunity to address the committee. Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is the lived reality. It is measured in rising temperatures, devastating floods, prolonged droughts, declining air quality, and increasing pressure on vulnerability of communities. In confronting these challenges, South Africa leverages space technology as one of humanity's most powerful tools for understanding the changing planet and building resilience for future generations. South Africa remains committed in harnessing the benefits of space science, technology, and innovation for sustainable development. In this In this regard, we actively contribute to the work of Space Climate Observatory Charter with a particular focus on strengthening national capabilities to monitor climate-related challenges, including deforestation, crop health, wildfires, surface heat vulnerability, air quality, and disaster risk. Today, Chair, I am pleased to update the committee that South Africa has completed the development of Air Quality Index Dashboard and Flood Disaster Monitoring Dashboard. They are significant milestones that demonstrate how South Africa is transforming satellite data into practical solutions that improves lives. The first dashboard, National Air Quality Index, is an innovative platform that provides a comprehensive a comprehensive, countrywide view of air quality conditions through real-time and historical monitoring. As climate change intensifies, heat waves, droughts, wildfires, industrial pollution, and air quality are increasingly becoming a critical public health and environmental concern. So what the National Air Quality Index— the index does, it equips government institutions with information that identifies pollutants, analyze long-term environmental patterns, emerging risks, and responds proactively. It enables users to track daily air quality trends across cities. The tool makes environmental data understandable to ordinary citizens, to policymakers and researchers alike. It strengthens public awareness and deepens understanding of the links between climate change pollution, and human well-being. Chair, our second milestone is Flood Disaster Monitoring Dashboard, a powerful example of how space technology can help society anticipate, prepare for, also respond to climate-related disasters. Using Earth observation satellite data, geospatial analytics, and artificial intelligence, real-time flood can be detected, We can map out flood risk and assess impacts. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, space-based monitoring provides critical information for early warning systems. In this regard, these dashboards transform satellite imagery into actionable intelligence. They demonstrate that the value of space technology extends far beyond scientific advancements. Thank you. They are instruments of transparency. They place environmental intelligence in the hands of citizens. They support evidence-based policymaking. They provide researchers and academia with valued datasets to validate climate interventions and develop innovative solutions. To conclude, Che, South Africa's Air Quality Index and Flood Disaster Monitoring Dashboard illustrate the transformative role of space technologies in addressing climate change and disaster risk. Thank you. They show how innovation can be translated into practical solutions that improve lives and support sustainable development. This reflects how South Africa remains committed to advancing the peaceful uses of outer space, strengthen international cooperation, ensure that space technologies continue to serve humanity and contribute to a more sustainable future for all. In alignment with 2030 Agenda on SDGs, refugees. Our guiding principle remains: we leave no one behind. I thank you, Chair.

Thank you. Thanks to the distinguished representative of South Africa for the statement. Next, distinguished representative of Nigeria.

Thank you, Mr.

Chair.

Let me start by saying that Nigeria supports the effort towards hosting UNISPACE-4 in 2027. Mr. Scheer, climate change continues to manifest through rising global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, droughts, floods, desertification, sea level rise, biodiversity loss, and extreme weather events. Space-based observations enable scientists to monitor greenhouse gas— concentrations, atmospheric aerosols, land use changes, ocean warming, glacier retreat, and other important climate indicators necessary for understanding climate variability and long-term environmental change. Satellite observations also support weather forecasting, disaster risk reduction, agricultural monitoring, water resource management, and renewable energy planning. Mr. Shear, Nigeria as a country in sub-Saharan Africa is one of the places where the impact of climate change is more felt on Earth. The drastic change in climatic condition from the coastal area in the southern part of the country to the arid, stroke semi-arid region in the north makes it difficult as a nation to develop one-fit-all approach to tackle the problem associated with climate change. Despite this difficulty, space science and technology has been a veritable tool in our journey to mitigate the effect of climate change. Mr. Asher, Nigeria is using datasets from Sentinel-5P, NigeriaSat-2, handheld gas analyzers, and other geopartial tools to conduct a space-based assessment of emission hotspots within the country. Identifying, validating, and cataloging GHG emission hotspots and contributing significantly to the country's emission reduction goals. Nigeria is also partnering with UNEP on International Methane Emissions Observatory under the Nigerian Emission Reduction Program, harnessing methane data from our sectors— waste, oil and gas, agriculture, and urban. To enable more effective methane reduction in the fight against climate change in line with SDG 13. Nigeria, in pursuit of SDG 15, is analyzing desertification challenges driven by climate variability and land use dynamics in the northern region of the country, given its proximity to the Sahara Desert. Mr. Shear, Nigeria has expanded its contributions to atmospheric and climate monitoring through the Nigerian Environmental Climatic Observation Program, which has been renamed the Atmospheric Monitoring Equipment Network, AMEN. The AMEN project is designed to establish a nationwide network of stations carrying out simultaneous real-time measurements of meteorological and climate— climatic variables with 5-minute update cycles. The project provides real-time atmospheric data for scientists researchers, policymakers, and emergency management agencies within Nigeria through a fully computerized online data archive and dissemination system. System.

System.

The project supports evidence-based decision-making under various meteorological and climatological scenarios. Mr. Scheer, as climate-related challenges continue to intensify globally, investment in space science, atmospheric monitoring infrastructure, human capacity development, and international collaboration remains essential. Strengthening partnership among governments, research institutions, space agencies, and development organizations will enhance the effective use of space technologies in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development. Thank you, Chair.

Thanks to the distinguished representative of Nigeria for the statement. Next speaker, distinguished representative of United Arab Emirates.

Mr. Chair, the world now is facing climate change with extreme weather events Causing severe humanitarian aspects. There comes the need to monitor and to respond and develop innovative solutions that support climate adaptation and risk reduction. In this respect, space technologies have become essential to support this work by providing data that help climate monitoring, tracking emissions, and enhancing early warning systems. Data coming from space help designing the strategies based on scientific evidence. We reiterate the need for international cooperation and use space technologies to face climate change and climate-related catastrophes. In this respect, we continue to actively contribute to these initiatives. This includes our chairmanship of the Major Disaster and Space Summit, along with the regional partners. This shows our role in supporting international efforts to use space data for disaster management. We also improve collaboration across space and disaster risk agencies across the world to support response and recovery. We have hosted the 10th meeting of the, the Sentinel Asia Working Group, which was held for the first time in the Arab world with over 40 international organizations. Participants discussed how to use space data in monitoring and managing disaster while supporting the humanitarian response. Mr. Chair, we continue to develop our capabilities and space technologies by using AI and data analytics to monitor climate change and natural disasters, enhancing our ability to sustainably plan. In this respect, we continue to use the Thank you very much for your question. We have developed an open-source spatial platform GIQ which provides a complete ecosystem to use these data in climate studies. It also helps monitor vegetation cover, land use, and climate change indices enhancing the ability of decision-makers to use space data in support of sustainable development goals. Strategies based on scientific evidence. We also work with the Arab Group in December 2025 and launched a satellite to support climate and environmental work. This helps use the space technology for climate change and establish a data center for the Arab world. We also take part in the Space for Development, which enhances the use of space data to help address climate change. This initiative provides actionable solutions to manage human— sorry, natural resources and respond to climate challenges. Mr. Chair, we believe that responding to climate change requires international and ongoing collaboration based on exchange of information and data, ensuring that all countries benefit from this work. This includes access to space data and technologies and the national capacity building in support of sustainable development and improves our ability to address future challenges. In this respect, we are committed to working with international partners and member states to promote climate action and to harness the— Thank you. Technological advancement for a more secure and prosperous planet for future generations. Thank you so much.

Thanks to the distinguished representative of the United Arab Emirates for the statement. Next speaker, distinguished representative of Azerbaijan.

Thank you, Chair. Azerbaijan created and continues updating the electronic platform Climate Report.

It provides geospatial analysis to assess the impact of global climate change in hydrosphere, cryosphere.

Azerkosmos, the space agency of Azerbaijan, contributes to the national strategy for efficient usage of water resources by producing digital map of Azerbaijan lakes, rivers, and other water resources.

Resources.

Rising temperatures accelerate glacier melting, causing lake levels to reach critical thresholds.

The overflow of the lakes located in high-altitude areas may have widespread impacts due to climate change. In collaboration with, with Kyrgyz Republic, Azerbaijan has provided advanced digital satellite solutions to assess and mitigate disaster risks. Specifically, the high-precision digital elevation model developed by Azerbaijan played a pivotal role in preventing a potential disaster in Kyrgyzstan.

Thank you very much.

With this, I conclude.

Thanks to the distinguished representative of Azerbaijan for the statement. Next speaker is distinguished representative of Brazil.

Thank you, Chair. Brazil believes in the power of space applications and technologies to contribute to sustainable development, including by supporting climate action. This was the spirit of Brazil's work during COP30, held in Belém in 2015, during which the Brazilian Space Agency brought national and international experts together to discuss how space For Brazil, the environmental agenda and space governance are closely connected. Principles such as common but differentiated responsibilities recognize that states face shared challenges with different responsibilities, capacities, and vulnerabilities. Space law is built on a similar premise. Outer space must be used for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific —development, and this includes countries with more limited space capabilities. The Long-Term Sustainability Guidelines reinforce the same logic by emphasizing cooperation, capacity building, information sharing, and responsible conduct. This is particularly relevant for climate action, since countries cannot respond adequately to climate risks without access to data, tools, and technical capacity. Brazil, therefore, values the Space 2030 Agenda as an important framework for strengthening the role of space as a driver of sustainable development. At the national level, Brazil has a strong record in environmental monitoring by satellite. The PRODIS program, led by the National Institute for Spatial Research, INPE, is a global reference in monitoring deforestation in the Amazon, producing annual estimates since 1988. Inpe's free and open data also support environmental monitoring land use and land cover analysis, and the detection of fires and burned areas. The Brazilian National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters, SEMADEM, also uses satellite information to study the impacts of disasters associated with severe events intensified by climate change. This research is crucial to understand climate-related risks, reduce vulnerabilities, and strengthen adaptation, prevention, and response capacities in the face of extreme events. Mr. Chair, space activities can make a significant contribution to combat climate change. To be effective, however, this contribution requires ambitious commitments and international cooperation for the reduction of asymmetries so that all countries, particularly developing countries, can turn space-based information into concrete policies to monitor climate change, reduce vulnerabilities, and protect their populations and the environment. Thank you, Chair.

Thanks to the distinguished representative of Brazil for the statement. Now, the next speaker is the distinguished observer for Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization.

Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates. On behalf of Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization, APSCO, I am honored to address the committee under the agenda item 12. Mr. Chair, APSCO translates its commitment into action through a balanced portfolio of technology sharing and data applications. Our data sharing service platform, cooperative satellite constellations, and critical data support from Fengyun constellation deliver the high-quality high-quality temporal data required to monitor evolving climate phenomena. Moreover, systems such as the ABSKO Grid Monitoring System demonstrate the tangible value of integrating space-based data into actionable disaster risk reduction frameworks. A further cornerstone of ABSKO's approach is education and capacity building. By delivering targeted training courses, practical workshops,— and sustained expert exchanges, OPSCO continuously elevates the technical proficiency of regional practitioners. Hundreds of specialists have now been trained to process and apply satellite-derived data to a wide spectrum of environmental issues, from land degradation to water resource management. With these tools in hand, our member states are steadily carrying forward community-level projects that respond directly to climate change. Ongoing initiatives include China mapping the spatial-temporal distribution of aerosol components, Iran implementing an Earth observation-based agricultural water accounting system, Mongolia conducting remote sensing research into agricultural climate factors, Pakistan developing a geospatial information management for temperature extremities. Peru, utilizing radar and optical image analysis for flood and mass movement evaluation. Thailand, assessing and forecasting droughts for smallholder farmers. Turkey, deploying a regional crop monitoring and irrigation management platform. And on its way to be implemented from Bangladesh, satellite database seasonal rice crops monitoring in northern districts of Bangladesh, Nasrin Sultana. Mr. Chair, climate change knows no borders. Addressing it demands robust institutional partnership. OBSCO will continue to strengthen its collaboration platform, working alongside international stakeholders to harness outer space for proactive climate action. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank distinguished observer for Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization. Next speaker is the distinguished observer for Space Generation Advisory Council.

Thank you, Honorable Chair. The Space Generation Advisory Council sincerely appreciates the opportunity to share the views of the youth on space and climate change, and we commend the Office for Outer Space Affairs for its continued work on Space for Climate Action. Honorable Chair, every young person understands that the future of the planet is our own. Our climate continues to change. The heaviest burdens fall on those least able to bear it, and the time to act is now. We believe the space community should be at the forefront of this effort because few tools tell us more about our changing planet than those we have placed above it. This conviction led our over the course of 2022 to develop and approve a formal policy position on the role of space in climate action entitled Saving Our Future on Earth Through Our Presence in Space. The report set out 31 practical recommendations addressed to the scientific community, to governments, and to industry with Earth observation at its center. We were honored to submit it to this committee, and we have advocated for its recommendations at international forums, including the International Astronomical Congress. In the years since, the field has moved quickly. New satellite missions and the rapid growth for low Earth orbit connectivity have widened what space can do for the planet. Our members see this in their work. In a conference room paper submitted to this session entitled "Space and SDGs: Benefits from Space Activities, Preliminary Considerations on Space for Earth," Young people from our community outline how space-based connectivity and Earth observation can address real climate needs and development challenges. Examples include environmental monitoring, early warning systems for natural hazards, and tools that support vulnerable and rural communities in adapting to changing conditions. These are preliminary findings shared as a contribution to the discussion rather than a settled view. For this For this reason, SGAC is now developing an updated position on space and climate to be completed by the end of this year. It will build on our 2022 position, reflecting how much the landscape has changed, and the conference room paper before the session is one of its first inputs. Our updated policy position will particularly speak to the needs of developing and emerging space nations for whom access to climate data and the skills to use it make a real difference. In conclusion, the generation that will live longest with the climate decisions taken today stands ready to help ensure that space fully supports that effort. We encourage all distinguished delegations to read our climate report, and we look forward to working with all interested stakeholders as we shape its next chapter. We thank you for your kind attention. Thank you, Honorable Chair.

Thanks to the Distinguished Observer for the Space Generation Advisory Council, for a statement. We have concluded our consideration on Agenda Item Number 12, Space and Climate Change. Distinguished delegates, I would now like to begin our consideration of Agenda Item 13, Use of Space Technology in the United Nations System. Before, I would like to give the floor to the Deputy Director of the Office for Outer Space Affairs, Mr. Driss El Adani, to address the committee and provide a statement in view of the office's roles as Secretary UN Space, the UN Interagency Coordination Mechanism on Outer Space Activities. I thank Mr. Adani for his presentation. Please take the floor.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, I am pleased to deliver an update on recent development within UN Space, the United Nations interagency mechanism that seeks to align and strengthen space-related activities in support of common mandates across the UN system. UN Space plays an increasingly important role, especially in the UNAT context. To promote coherence and avoid duplication, and above all, to ensure space data and services are leveraged effectively across UN system in service of the diverse mandates across different agencies and offices and every major UN priority, from climate action and disaster risk reduction to food security, sustainable development, and humanitarian response. In February 2026, UN Space convened in Vienna for a strategic meeting involving a broad range of United Nations entities and external partners to reflect on how the mechanism could add more value for participating entities. There was a broad consensus that the mechanism must evolve into an action-oriented platform that anticipates system-wide needs, facilitates the existing— facilitates collective action and facilitates access to data and solutions for participating entities and member states. Improving equitable access and cost-effective access to satellite imagery remains a key urgent priority. There was a broad agreement on the existing inefficiencies in the UN system around duplication in data procurement, fragmented contracting and licensing arrangements, and constraints in data sharing. In response to the General Assembly Resolution 78/2010, /72, and as outlined in document A/AC105/1341, a proposal is under discussion to establish an Interagency Imagery Procurement Secretariat, the IPO, for UNOOSA to aggregate demand across entities and enable shared licensing agreements. Which will reduce costs and administrative burden and ensure more timely and affordable access to critical satellite data. Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening partnership with external actors, including space agencies and private sector entities. It was noted that the complexity of the UN system, with multiple entry points can lead to a fragmented engagement and that UN Space is well positioned to serve as a more structured and coherent interface for external partners. I am also pleased to inform that in context of interagency cooperation and following the reports published last year on Space for Agriculture, FAO and UNOOSA agreed to develop a publication on the characterization of Earth observation satellites for improving sustainable soil, land and water management in agriculture. This enhanced collaboration reinforces the bridge between UN Space and the Vienna-based Group of Friends of Food Security and underscores once more the critical relevance of space data for food security land degradation, and water scarcity challenges. UNOOSA is also working with United Nations Industrial Development Organization, UNIDO, to advance the Space for Industry initiative to enhance industrial resilience through space-enabled applications. A collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNIDC, is also underway supporting the use of Earth observation for the monitoring and mapping of illicit crops, contributing to more effective evidence-based responses. UNOOSA is also expanding its convening role at the intersection of space and ocean sustainability. Following requests from space agencies, UNOOSA become a founding member and chair of the Space for Ocean Alliance, launched at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in 2025 and bringing together over 31 space-related entities to systematically embed space-based solutions for marine and coastal challenges. In this capacity, UNOOSA has strengthened connections with the UN Ocean Decade and UN Oceans the UN Interagency Coordination Mechanism for Ocean Affairs. UNOOSA is also collaborating with other organizations to support the fulfillment of their mandates, especially with ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Authority, on airspace integration of space and aviation activities, and with UNEP, the United Nations Environmental Programme, on the impact of space activities on the atmosphere. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, these developments reflect a broader strategic ambition to elevate the UN Space dialogue to a higher level across offices and organizations, ensuring that the relevance and understanding of space and its solutions is fully appreciated and harnessed. UN Space will continue to deepen interagency collaboration expand equitable access to data, and position itself as a strategic platform fit for the demands of a rapidly changing world. We welcome the continued engagement and guidance of Member States as we advance this important work. Thank you.

I thank Mr. Eraldani for his statement. In view of the Office role as Secretariat of UN Space, the UN interagency coordination mechanism on outer space activities. Distinguished delegates, at this stage we will begin and hopefully conclude our consideration of Agenda Item Number 13, Use of Space Technology in the United Nations system this afternoon. And we will now suspend the plenary meeting so that the Action Team on Lunar Activity Consultations, ATLAC, can hold its first formal meeting. And following the adjournment of the ATLAC meeting, we will then resume the plenary to proceed with technical presentation. So I now invite Ms. Ulpia Elena Bodezzatu, the co-chair of ATLAG, to the podium. Please.

The meeting is suspended.

And the meeting is suspended.

Distinguished delegates, I would now turn to proceed with to the technical presentations. We have 3 technical presentations, and before I move on to the presentations, I should like to advise all the presenters that should they wish to have interactions through questions and answers after their presentation, they may wish to finish their presentations a few minutes earlier than the allotted time of 10 minutes. The first presentation on my list The next is on space situational awareness as a practical enabler of long-term space sustainability, from sustainability principles to operational capabilities, by the representative of Brazil. You have the floor.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Distinguished Madam Chair, distinguished delegates, distinguished colleagues. My name is Tarcísio Aurélio Bacaus. I am a member of the Brazilian delegation. I work at Anatel, Brazil's national telecommunications agency, in the division responsible for spectrum orbit and satellite regulatory matters, where I deal directly with the interface between national and international regulation. Today I want to make one clear and practical argument: long-term space sustainability will not be achieved by principles alone. It will be achieved when those principles are supported by operational capabilities, reliable information flows, and effective coordination mechanisms. One of the most fundamental of those capabilities is space situational awareness, or SSA. Uh, we have built a strong normative foundation. The Long-Term Sustainability Guidelines are a genuine achievement of this committee. But there is still a gap, and it's not merely normative, it's operational. Between a sustainability principle adopted in a multilateral setting and a satellite operator making a time-sensitive safety decision, there is an entire layer of infrastructure that must exist and function reliably. That layer includes data, sensors, orbit determination, conjunction assessment, information sharing, and coordination procedures. That layer is the Space Situational Awareness, SSA. In operational terms, SSA is one of the essential conditions that allows the LTS framework to become effective in practice. The urgency is straightforward to explain. More objects in orbit mean more interactions. More interactions mean more close approach. More close approach require more conjunction assessments, and conjunction assessment require data— precise, timely, interest worth. This not merely a linear growth problem. Large LEO constellations involve many satellites operating in similar orbital regimes, generating conjunction event volumes that were simply unimaginable 10 years ago. This is the growing risk management curve, and it's climbing— steeply. SSA is what allows states, operators, and institutions to navigate that curve with confidence, to transform a dense and dynamic orbital environment into a domain that can be monitored, assessed, coordinated, and responsibly managed. And what SSA provides? Let me be technically precise here. SSA is not simply about tracking objects. It is considerable more than that. SSA is an operational data fusion pipeline, 4 interconnected stages that convert raw sensor observations into actionable decision support. First, detection and tracking. Ground-based radars, optical telescopes, and space-based sensors continuously observe objects in orbit, generating measurement data. Second, orb determination. Those observations are processed to produce state vectors—position and velocity in inertial space—along with ephemerides and covariance information. This point is critical. Covariance tells us how uncertain the estimated position is. Without realistic covariance, a conjunction assessment may appear precise while the underlying risk picture remains misleading. Conjunction assessment. State vectors and covariance are propagated forward in time. When two objects are predicted to approach within a defined threshold, a conjunction event is flagged. Probability of collision is compu— computed. And a conjunction data message, a CDM, may be distributed to relevant operators. And we need decision support. The operator receives the CDM, the collision data message, and the EMDM and decides maneuver, coordinate, monitor, or hold. The decision depends entirely on the quality of everything upstream: orbit accuracy, covariance realism, and alert timeliness. SSA does not make the decision. SSA makes a good decision possible. The pipeline is what connects sustainability principles to safer operation.— and the bridge metaphor here is technically accurate, not merely rhetorical. On one side stand the LTS guidelines, on the other stand concrete operational practices: sharing orbital information, assessing risk, coordinating maneuvers, avoiding collisions, and reducing debris. SAIC capabilities connect these two sides. Post-mission disposal depends on knowing where objects are and where they are going. Collision avoidance depends on reliable covariance and timely CDMs. Responsible operations depend on shared information and coordination channels. Without reliable data, there is no meaningful conjunction assessment. Without coordination channels, there is no timely operational response. Without shared technical understandings, formats, and practices, there is no effective interoperability. Without SSA, the bridge between principles and operations remains incomplete. Here is the central technical challenges. I want to name it precisely. On the technical side, there is growing convergence. Core data requirements are well understood: precise ephemerides, realistic coverage, maneuver plans, operator contact information, and standardized CDNs. Sensor capabilities exist across heterogeneous public-private commercial, academic, and international networks. On the governance side, landscape remains fragmented. Different actors use different notification thresholds. Covariance realism varies significantly across providers. Sharing is largely voluntary. Coordination remains bilateral and ad hoc. Closing this gap requires progress across 5 dimensions simultaneously: data quality and coverage surrealism, timeliness— timeliness. A CDM arriving after the maneuver window closes is operationally useless. Interoperability across systems and formats, trusting shared data, and scalability to handle constellation-scale conjunction volumes. These are technical and governance problems at the same time. Neither dimension alone is sufficient.

Thank you.

There is a dimension of this challenge this committee should not overlook. SSA capabilities are not evenly distributed. Advanced sensor networks, high-quality catalogs, and conjunction assessment tools are concentrated among a limited number of actors. This asymmetry has direct governance consequence. A state without access to reliable orbital data faces serious limitations in overseeing its slice and the operators assessing risks to national assets and participating effectively in international coordination. Access to SSA data is therefore not a technical convenience. It's a prerequisite for responsible space governance. Closing this gap requires— Interoperable data sharing frameworks, accessible catalog services where appropriate, and structured— these are not optional features of good SSA governance, they are load-bearing elements. The role of the expert group Space Situational Awareness. The expert group is precisely the right mechanism to address these challenges within the COPUS framework. This group sits at the intersection of technical specificity and multilateral legitimacy. And that combination is what makes it uniquely valuable. It can identify common technical understandings, promote good practices, and encourage more consistent and interoperable approaches to information sharing and coordination. It can examine emerging challenges with the technical depth they require. Constellation Sky Construction Volumes— Covariance realism deficits, scalability limits, and the specific the specific needs of emerging space actors. And it can support capacity building in a structured way and inclusive way, ensuring that SSA-related knowledge and cooperation are not limited to a small number of actors. If SSA is part of the operational foundation of long-term sustainability, then access to SSA-related knowledge and cooperation cannot remain concentrated. The AGSSA can help turn that a principal practical multilateral progress. Let me close the technical argument with a director's statement. SSA is not merely a policy concept and it's not merely an aspiration. It is operational infrastructure. It is what allows space sustainability to be monitored, assessed, coordinated, and implemented. Civil aviation safety depends— not only aviation principles, but on radar, transponders, air traffic control, and standardized communication protocols. Space safety and quality depends on tracking networks, orbit determination systems, conjunction assessment pipelines, and interoperable data formats. The Long-Term Sustainability Guidelines provide the principles. SSI— SSA provides part of the operational architecture. Architecture through which those principles can actually be applied. Without it, operators make safety-critical decisions with incomplete information, regulators oversee activities they cannot adequately observe, and the international community attempts to sustain a shared environment it cannot reliably monitor. SSA changes all of that.

Thank you.

Distinguished Madam Chair, distinguished colleagues, distinguished delegates, the orbital environment is becoming more complex and our governance frameworks must keep pace. SSA is an operational layer that helps close that gap, make sustainability principles implementable, risks visible and manageable, and safe space operations more accessible to all actors. Many of these technical building blocks already exist. What remains is the collective effort to connect them into a coherent, inclusive, and reliable system of cooperation. Brazil looks forward to contributing to that effort through the expert group on space situation awareness, through regional cooperation, and through the continued implementation of the long-term sustainability guidelines. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Thank you very much for your presentation. The second presentation on my list is on artificial intelligence and humans in space, the conflict between subjective and objective realities, by the representatives of Ukraine. You have the floor.

Honorable Chair, distinguished delegates, thank you for the opportunity to address the 69th session of the COPUS. We are also very grateful to the State Space Agency of Ukraine for its support. The technical presentation is entitled "Artificial Intelligence and Humans in Space: The Conflict Between Subjective and Objective Realities" and concerns Agenda Item 9. The expansion of AI is becoming increasingly large-scale and difficult to control. Various space actors are either planning to adopt or already deploying AI in their activities, including AI-powered astronaut assistance, space healthcare services, satellite data processing, and space traffic navigation. At present, the main efforts are directed toward integrating so-called narrow AI into space activities, as such systems are designed to address specific problems and lack the capacity for global decision-making. However, the development of edge computing platforms may lead to a broader and less controllable expansion of this trend. At the same time, the lack of comprehensive national and international legal frameworks for the development and regulation of AI diminishes accountability of its use. To mitigate AI-related risks, various approaches to organize AI systems already being proposed. Thus, some researchers propose to specify and strengthen responsibility for AI activity. Other researchers propose integrating international space law into AI systems. At the same time, the implementation of these approaches is highly complex, since the application of international space law, even under ordinary conditions without integration into AI systems, faces numerous challenges related to its ambiguity, non-binding nature, and the absence of specific regulatory rules. Against this background, the proposal to introduce the concept of responsible AI based on the responsible AI principles into AI development is of particular interest. However, there is no single set of principles. It should also be noted that all these proposals don't consider the most important factors that influence decision-making by both humans and AI, namely the factors of subjective and objective reality. It's common knowledge that human development takes place through making decisions regarded as appropriate and effective and through the subsequent analysis of their outcomes. Individuals make such decisions based on subjective reality, that is, their personal assessment of the surroundings circumstances informed by their life experience. This subjective reality is formed through the analysis, comparison, and verification of data obtained from various sources such as sight, hearing, touch, and others. In turn, this data forms part of objective reality, that is, what is actually occurring in reality. It follows that subjective reality for a person is different is defined as the subjective representation of objective reality that is formed by the individual. The higher the degree of correspondence between subjective and objective reality, the more accurate decisions an individual is able to make. Naturally, when developing artificial intelligence, the same principle is applied, as it is familiar and readily comprehensible. Accordingly, AI also forms its subjective reality based on an analysis —of objective reality and taking into account the results of its previous activities. In other words, its experience. However, the processes through which humans and artificial intelligence construct their subjective representations of objective reality differ fundamentally. This can be easily illustrated with a theoretical example. Let's assume that several cameras have been installed installed within a large space station compartment to monitor the average temperature. Two mounted on each bulkhead and one on each, each corner. It's generally known that the formula is 2 2 4. Thus, from a mathematical perspective, there are four sources of data, that is, sources of observation. Data from these four sources form the objective reality for AI. Through the analysis of objective reality, AI constructs an internal model of reality based on which it identifies and selects the most correct and effective decisions. In turn, a person forms a subjective representation of objective reality differently since in this context for the individual 2 2 4 4 is replaced by 2 2 5. This is quite straightforward to explain. Within objective reality, alongside the 4 sources of observation, there exists another source, the human being. Moreover, humans observe not only the received data but also the data sources themselves. And only based on analysis of data from all 5 sources a human constructs a representation of objective reality, that is the subjective reality, and makes the most appropriate and effective decision. The difference in subjective representation of objective reality constructed by humans and artificial intelligence can also be demonstrated by the following practical example under the same circumstances. Assume that the purpose of deploying cameras is to detect a sharp increase in temperature in the compartment due to a fire or other reasons, and command the computer to open the airlock to outer space to remove oxygen and extinguish a fire, or simply to lower the temperature. The dom— the normal temperature in the compartment is defined as ranging from 10 to 30 degrees Celsius. Any temperature exceeding 50 degrees Celsius is considered to indicate a fire. At a certain point, two observation sources indicate a temperature of 80°C, while the other two still indicate 30°C. No error messages are produced by any of the sources. That is, objective reality would be represented by the compartment temperature remaining at 30°C. The AI's subjective representation of the compartment the compartment state is as follows: the temperature within, within the compartment exceeding 55 degrees Celsius, a dangerous fire or a high risk of fire, and the necessity of deciding to open the airlock. Accordingly, the AI would automatically open the airlock to outer space, even at the cost of astronauts' fatalities. However, the person in the compartment at the The fifth observation source notices that two of the observation sources which report a temperature of 80°C are malfunctioning. These sources don't indicate the temperature in the compartment but instead reflect their own temperature. That is, objective reality would be represented by the compartment temperature remaining at 30°C. The human's subjective representation representation of the compartment states is as follows: two data sources are faulty, the compartment temperature remains at 30°C, there is no fire. Accordingly, the decision to open the airlock to outer space would not be made. The examples illustrate the differences in the representation of subjective and objective reality between humans and AI can lead to fundamentally different different decision. This is because AI is only capable of identifying or predicting events based on existing data and establishing their validity through multiply checks. In turn, a human has the, the ability to anticipate, that is, the ability to predict events even without having sufficient data for this. However, the most critical issue is the conflict between the subjective, objective realities of humans and AI. Humans tend to resolve this conflict in a simple, habitual way, namely by correcting the data or continuing to rely only on properly functional sources of observation, effectively removing other sources from consideration. AI is also configured to make the right and effective decisions objective decisions. Accordingly, the actions taken by humans would be unacceptable. An attempt may be made to correct the information in accordance with the objective reality of AI. This so-called game would not persist for long, as AI would rapidly identify the source of distortion in its subjective representation of objective reality and determine that The most effective solution is not to correct the information but to remove the source itself, that is the human. In other words, when a conflict arises between subjective and objective realities, AI would respond similarly to a human who has previously deactivated faulty surveillance sources. It would simply remove a human from the equation. Concurrently, the risk of conflict between the subjective and objective representation of reality in humans and AI would always exist. This stems from the subjective reality of AI developers, which frequently diverges from the corresponding objective reality. They would never possess sufficient information and the necessary experiential knowledge to construct a subjective representation of space activities that closely approximates objective reality. Taking into account this factor, as well as differences in the conditions under which AI systems are developed and applied, it may be argued that at present AI should not be permitted to make space-based decisions that involve risks to human life. Thank you for your kind attention.

Thank you very much. At this point, I have one more presentation on my list, on Sustainability Beyond Earth: The Case for an 18th Sustainable Development Goal, by the Observer for Space Renaissance International.

Esteemed Chair, distinguished delegates, and colleagues, my name is Dr. Dulendede, and on behalf of Space Renaissance International, International and the Space 18 SDG Coalition, I'm pleased to present Sustainability Beyond Earth: The Case for an 18th Sustainable Development Goal. This presentation brings forward the main insights from our recent legal subcommittee event and sets out a possible way forward for reflecting space more coherently within the global sustainability framework.

Thank you.

SDGs— we can go on to the next slide, please. SDGs were adopted in 2015. Since then, the space sector has changed profoundly. Reusable launch systems, large-scale constellations, lunar programs, commercial spaceflight, in-orbit services, and renewed resource utilization debates have changed changed the operational landscape. At the same time, space-based systems now support climate monitoring, disaster risk reduction, navigation, telecommunications, education, food security, environmental management, and economic activity. In many areas, space is not a future narrative. It is the operating backbone of modern society. Thank you. This is why the conversation matters now. The SDGs were created in a world where space was largely treated as a supporting capability. Today, it's both a supporting capability and a domain in which sustainability challenges themselves are emerging. The development framework has not yet fully caught up with this reality. Can sustainable development remain complete while space is still largely invisible within its architecture? The 18th SDG proposal is best understood as a response to this question, a possible integrative articulation for the post-2030 horizon. It is about making making space visible within the global sustainability framework as a critical infrastructure, as a development enabler, and as a stewardship domain. It's also about creating a bridge between communities that still too often work in parallel, not necessarily together. COPES has a particular responsibility in this regard. If space is to be reflected coherently within the wider UN sustainability architecture, this committee is a natural place to raise this question. The side event I'm debriefing today was held during the 65th session of the legal subcommittee, bringing together member state perspectives, international space law expertise, global south development priorities, civil society, and futurist thinking, as well as voices from industry prime and new space actors. Two debate questions structured the discussion. The first concerned institutional future, whether a state-led UN working mechanism on space sustainability should prepare the ground for post-2030 consideration. The second concerned the normative anchor, whether any space— any future pathway should be grounded in equitable access and stewardship responsibilities rather than technical coordination alone. The consultative polling showed strong participation in a high level of agreement on both questions. These results are important because they move the conversation from general recognition to institutional direction. Who should carry this forward and on what principles? Thank you. On what principles should it be based? First, space must be understood through a dual lens, both as an enabler of sustainable development and as an environment requiring stewardship. If we treat space only as infrastructure, we miss the stewardship dimension. If we treat space only as an environment, we miss its daily development value for societies on Earth. Second, sustainability must remain development-led. This was especially clear from the Global South perspective. A future space sustainability agenda cannot become a conversation only among established space powers. It must speak to states that are still converting space ambition into practical development value. One of the strongest messages from the discussion was that we should not replace today's digital divide with tomorrow's space divide. Third, the normative anchor matters. Technical coordination is essential, but it's not sufficient on its own. A credible pathway must combine operational expertise with principles of stewardship, inclusion, and equitable access. Most importantly, a clearer sustainability pathway can help guide responsible innovation across industry and new space before unsustainable patterns become locked in. Taken together, these findings suggest that the 18th SDG proposal can add value by giving this gives this conversation a common frame, one that connects existing SDG implementation on Earth with the long-term sustainability, accessibility, and responsible use of outer space. It can make visible the contribution of space to sustainable development, broaden participation from emerging space nations, promote responsible use of the orbital environment, and support longer-term long-term resilience thinking. And this is precisely where the 18th SDG adds value. It recognizes the governance gap and gives the conversation a common frame. The good news is that this governance gap is not a legal vacuum. Sustainability is not absent From space governance. COPUS has built a substantial body of work over decades. The Outer Space Treaty always contains principles that resonate strongly with sustainability. The long-term sustainability guidelines gave perhaps the clearest multilateral expression of this logic, including the ability to conduct space activity Indefinitely into the future while realizing equitable access to the benefits of exploration and use for peaceful purposes and preserving the outer space environment for future generations. The 2030 Agenda recognized as— space as a driver of sustainable development. And the Pact for Future has renewed attention to future generations. —digital cooperation and multilateral action. So the gap is not legal incompatibility. The gap is visibility, integration, and coherence—not inventing the link between space law and sustainability, but making that link legible within the wider sustainability development architecture. The immediate objective The first is to move from advocacy to institutional dialogue. That means consultation first, documenting perspectives, including critical voices, and testing the idea with member states and relevant stakeholders across regions, disciplines, and sectors. It also means exploring the right mechanism. This could be a consultation group, an expert group, a cross-regional dialogue platform, or another format capable of linking COPUS, the Legal Subcommittee, and the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, and the wider UN development architecture. The purpose is to build a credible way, one that allows the international community to assess whether a Space 18th SDG articulation can bring coherence and visibility to the post-2030 sustainability agenda. This is the practical next step, not to close the question today, but to give it a place where it can be examined seriously, inclusively, and institutionally. Thank Space you. already helps us understand Earth as one interconnected system. At the same time, a spacefaring civilization is emerging. That places a responsibility on COPES. If the United Nations is to consider how sustainability evolves in the space age, this committee is the natural place to carry that conversation forward. With 120 20 signatory organizations now supporting the Space 18th SDG Coalition. This is no longer a marginal idea or a proposal from yesterday, but a maturing international conversation on how space can be made visible within the future architecture of sustainable development. Space Renaissance International and the Space 18th SDG Coalition invite the delegations and interested stakeholders to contribute to this next phase of dialogue. I would be pleased to continue the conversation with you after the session. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your presentation. Distinguished delegates, I will shortly adjourn this meeting, and before doing so, I would like to inform delegates of our schedule of of work for this afternoon. We will continue our consideration of Agenda Item 5, General Exchange of Views. We will continue and hopefully conclude our consideration of Agenda Item 13, Use of Space Technology in the United Nations System. We will begin and hopefully conclude our consideration of Agenda Item 14, Future Role and Methods of Work of the Committee, Pending the outcome of consultations on matters concerning Working Group of the Whole, Unispace IV, and ATLAC. We will begin and hopefully conclude our consideration of Agenda Item 15, Space Exploration and Innovation. Time permitting, we will begin our consideration of Agenda Item 16, Space 2030 Agenda. 4 technical presentations are scheduled for this afternoon. Delegates are reminded that the full schedule of technical presentations is available on the session's webpage. I would also like to inform delegates that the informal consultations of the Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultation, ATLAC, will be held in Conference Room M2 from 1:00 PM to 1:55 PM. The informal consultations will be held in a hybrid form. Format via MS Teams with a hybrid connection made available to ATLAS members. The MS Teams link is provided in the information circular dispatched on June 1st. I would also like to inform delegates that the informal consultations on the Working Group of the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities will be held in Conference Room M2 from 2:00 PM to 2:55 PM PM. These informal consultations are open to participation through MS Teams with a virtual connection made available to Working Group members. The MS Teams link is available on the information circular dispatched on June 1st. I would also like to inform delegates that informal consultations on UNISPACE-4 will be held this afternoon from 4 to 5 PM. PM in the Conference Room M2. The informal consultations will be held in a hybrid format via MS Teams with a hybrid connection made available to member states. The MS Teams link is provided in the information circular OOSA 2026/53 dispatched on June 8th. The schedule of the consultations is available on the webpage of the session. I would now like to give the floor to Secretariat to provide information on side events.

Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Today at lunchtime, there will be two side events. A side event entitled Barcelona to Host IAC 2029: Powering Global Water Resilience from Space, organized by Spain from 1:00 to 1:55 PM in Conference Room M6. And there will be also a side event entitled Orbital Safety Best Practices for Satellite Operators, An Industry Perspective, organized by the United States from 2:00 to 2:55 PM in Conference Room M3. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Thank you very much. I thank the Secretariat for the information provided. Are there any questions or comments on this proposed schedule? I believe there are none. Distinguished delegates, this meeting is adjourned until 3:00 PM this afternoon. Thank you.