Fourth Committee, 12th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 81st session

Ladies and

gentlemen, I call to order the 12th meeting of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee. In accordance with its programme of work, the Committee will begin today its consideration of agenda item 46 A, entitled "International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space". The list of speakers for the general debate under this item will close at 6:00 PM today and is published in the UN Journal. The Committee has before it the report of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space on its 69th session, contained in document A/81/20. The Committee also has before it draft resolution A/C/4/81/L.7 on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, submitted by Italy in its capacity as Chair of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and draft resolution A/C/4/81/L.8 on space science and technology for promoting peace, submitted by the Russian Federation. I wish to remind delegations that the Committee will take action on these proposals on Friday, 30 October 2026. This morning, the Committee will first listen to an introductory statement by the Chair of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and then begin the general debate on the item. At around 12:00 PM, the meeting will be adjourned and the Committee's working group of the whole, which was established at our organizational meeting on the 1st of October, will meet to consider the proposals submitted under this item. Ladies and gentlemen, space technologies, data, and applications have become indispensable tools for advancing sustainable development and monitoring the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Space-based solutions support informed decision-making and evidence-based policy-making in areas fundamental to human well-being and the health of our planet, from climate change and disaster risk reduction to agriculture, food security, and public health. Ensuring equitable access to these benefits remains essential. especially for countries with limited capacity and resources to access and utilize them. At the same time, the rapid expansion of space activities and the number of space actors underscore the importance of ensuring the safety and long-term sustainability of outer space activities. Challenges such as space debris and space traffic coordination require enhanced international cooperation, information sharing, and practices that contribute to safe and sustainable space activities. In this context, the Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space, supported by the Office for Outer Space Affairs, remains the principal United Nations forum for advancing international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. Building on its work in 2026, including on long-term sustainability and space resources, the Committee continues to promote an inclusive and cooperative approach to space governance to ensure that outer space remains a domain for peaceful purposes and a driver of sustainable development for the benefit of all humankind. I would now like to warmly welcome the Chair of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, His Excellency Mario Cospito of Italy. I invite him to present the report of the Committee. You have the floor, sir.

Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, It is an honor to address the Special Political and Decolonization Committee as Chair of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, COPUOS, at the 81st session of the General Assembly. At the outset, I wish to pay tribute to my predecessor, Professor Teodoro Valente of Italy, who sadly passed away in July this year. His dedication to international cooperation multilateralism and consensus building will be long remembered by the international space community. As I assume this responsibility as Chair of COPUOS, I look forward to working with all delegations. I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by Member States and acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the Bureau and all elected officers. I am pleased to serve alongside Mrs. Melita Zupac of Slovenia as first Vice-Chair, and Mr. Akin Babatunde-Ribe of Nigeria as second Vice-Chair, and all those serving as elected officers in the subsidiary bodies. I also recognize the successful chairmanship of Mr. Rafik Akram of Morocco during 2025. Distinguished delegates, Space technologies are increasingly essential to communication, navigation, climate monitoring, disaster management and sustainable development. At the same time, growing orbital congestion, space debris, and new activities in Earth orbit and beyond present new challenges. Ensuring that outer space remains safe and sustainable for present and future generations is therefore a shared responsibility. Against this backdrop, COPUOS remains the principal United Nations forum for international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. Allow me to highlight several developments. The long-term sustainability of outer space activities remains a central priority. The relevant working group continued addressing challenges related to safe and sustainable space operations. The aspect group on space situational awareness advanced discussion on information sharing and coordination among satellite operators. contributing to improved safety in an increasingly congested orbital environment. The Working Group on Legal Aspects of Space Resource Activities continued developing draft principles in accordance with international law. At the same time, the Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultation began substantial work on recommendations for information sharing and consultation concerning lunar activities. The Moon is no longer merely a destination; it is becoming a place of emerging activities, calling for dialogue, transparency, and international cooperation. COPUOS also continued its consideration of the safe use of nuclear power sources in outer space. planetary defense and other emerging scientific and technical matters. Efforts to improve the Committee's efficiency and working methods continued, building on the renewed momentum given to this process under the Italian chairmanship. Distinguished delegates, consultation also took place on a possible fourth United Nations Conference on the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space, UNISPACE IV. The year 2027 will mark both the 60th anniversary of the entry into force of the Outer Space Treaty and the 70th session of COPUOS. These milestones offer an opportunity to reflect on our achievements and reaffirm our commitment to international cooperation. The Committee also continued its mid-term review of the implementation of the Space 2030 Agenda, assessing progress in leveraging space technologies for socio-economic development, identifying remaining gaps and capacity-building needs, and strengthening international cooperation. I also wish to recognize the valuable work of the international mechanisms established through COPUOS, including the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems, the International Asteroid Working Network, the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group, and the Space and Global Health Network and Platform. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain. The rapid evolution of space activities presents new opportunities and challenges, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in ensuring the safe, peaceful, and sustainable use of outer space. Financial constraints across the United Nations system present additional challenges for COPUOS and its Secretariat. making it essential to maintain the effectiveness of the Committee's work while preserving its consensus-based approach. I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs for its indispensable support as Secretariat of COPUOS and its continued commitment to capacity building and the peaceful uses of outer space. Distinguished Delegates, The year ahead offers an opportunity to build on this process. Our shared responsibility is to safeguard the long-term sustainability of space activities in accordance with international law and the principles of the Outer Space Treaty. No State can meet this challenge alone. Through dialogue, mutual understanding, and a continued commitment to multilateralism, we can work together to ensure that the exploration and use of outer space are carried out for the benefit and interest of all countries, for present and future generations. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank the Chair of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Ladies and gentlemen, we shall now begin our general debate on this item. The link to the live list of speakers is available in the journal. Delegations are also reminded of the time limit of 10 minutes for national statements and 15 minutes when speaking on behalf of a group. To assist speakers in managing their time, the red light on the speaker's microphone will begin to blink one minute to the end of the allotted time. After that minute, the speaker's microphone will be automatically cut off. For maximum utilization of our time, I appeal to all speakers to deliver shorter versions of their statement and to submit the full text to eStatements@un.org for posting in the UN Journal. To support the interpreters, please email in advance also the shorter version with the indication for interpretation only. I now give the floor to Canada.

On behalf of Canada.

Chair, distinguished delegates, on behalf of Australia, New Zealand, and my own country, Canada, we would like to commend Italy's chairmanship and dedication during this session. We welcome the new incoming chair, Ambassador Mario Coscito, and would like to express our deepest condolences on the passing of Professor Teodoro Valente. We would also like to thank Ms. Ahti-Maini for her leadership of the Office for Outer Space Affairs and the Secretariat for its tireless efforts in guiding our work. The 69th session of COPUOS took place against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical tension. These broader geopolitical dynamics were evident throughout the session and increasingly affected the Committee's ability to reach consensus on substantive matters, making it the most challenging session in recent memory. Negotiations to adopt the committee's report proved exceptionally difficult, complex, and time-consuming. These challenges reflect broader pressures facing consensus-based multilateral institutions, including those across the United Nations system, as geopolitical tensions increasingly complicate decision-making, even in technical and specialized forums. Yet these difficulties do not diminish the value of consensus. Rather, they underscore the importance of ensuring that consensus remains a means of facilitating cooperation and achieving substantive progress. The challenges facing the space domain are global in nature. As space activities expand at an unprecedented rate, the international community cannot afford weakened cooperation on these issues. Yet, despite these challenges, COPUOS delivered meaningful results. The outcomes of the 69th session show that the Committee continues to serve as a relevant, credible, and effective forum for advancing international cooperation on outer space affairs. Growing membership reflects the recognition of the Committee as the essential body to address emerging challenges through practical, consensus-oriented work. One area of progress during the 69th session was the work of the Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultation, or ATLAC. Discussions within ATLAC focused on recommendations aimed at improving consultations related to lunar activities, including, for instance, whether to recommend the establishment of an international mechanism. The Committee also advanced work in several important areas, including space situational awareness, extending the Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities, and distributing a consolidated draft set of initial recommended principles for space resource activities. Chair, The Committee’s work continues to expand both in scope and complexity. Expectations regarding the Committee’s role continue to grow, even as broader constraints on the United Nations’ resources become more acute. Ensuring that COPUOS remains fit for purpose is not about changing its fundamental character. Rather, it is about strengthening its effectiveness while preserving the qualities that have made it successful for more than six decades. Its consensus-based approach, technical expertise, inclusivity, and commitment to international cooperation remain among its greatest strengths. It is imperative that its working methods evolve alongside the rapidly changing space environment it is tasked with supporting. In closing, CANS reaffirms its commitment to a peaceful, inclusive, safe, and sustainable approach to outer space in accordance with international law. We will continue to support the important work of UANUSA and COPUOS, and remain committed to working with all Member States to ensure that outer space remains a domain of cooperation, innovation, and opportunity for present and future generations.

Thank you.

Thank you. The European Union, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States, is next.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia, as well as Monaco and San Marino, align themselves with this statement. The EU and its Member States have always upheld and will continue to uphold the UN Charter and the rules and principles it enshrines. They reaffirm the Union's steadfast commitment to effective multilateralism and to international law, with the United Nations at its core. Violations of the UN Charter undermine the entire UN system. In this context, we condemn Russia's war aggression against Ukraine and the DPRK's repeated launches using ballistic missile technologies, as these actions constitute clear and flagrant violations of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. The UN Pact for the Future recognizes the need for urgent action to ensure the safe and sustainable use of space for the benefit of all humankind, and encourages the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to further consult on the proposal to hold a fourth United Nations Conference on the Peaceful Exploration of Outer Space, UNISPACE IV. The EU supports convening the conference to address space sustainability, space traffic management and coordination, space debris and space resources, as well as international cooperation, and to invite the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders. The EU welcomes the efforts of Italy as current COPUOS Chair in facilitating this discussion. Furthermore, the EU stresses the importance of providing UNOOSA with the necessary resources for its realization. We emphasize the role of UNOOSA, serving also as the Secretariat for COPUOS, in promoting international cooperation for the peaceful uses of outer space, ensuring the long-term sustainability of space activities, and promoting the Space 2030 agenda. The 1965 Outer Space Treaty, OST, and other relevant UN treaties, accompanied by the guiding principles developed in the UN framework, constitute the cornerstone of the global governance in outer space. The UN and its member states reiterate the applicability of international humanitarian law in outer space, and will continue to promote responsible behaviors in outer space, recalling all obligations under the Outer Space Treaty, including those comprised in Article 4, which obligates states parties not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, install such weapons on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space in any other manner. We urge all States to refrain from any threatening activity and to abide by the Outer Space Treaty’s Article IV, and call upon all States which have not yet done so to join the relevant UN treaties on outer space and faithfully implement them. As enshrined in the OST, the exploration and use of outer space is the province of all humankind. We continue to actively promote the preservation of a safe, secure, stable, and sustainable space environment and the peaceful use of outer space, as well as access to outer space for future generations. We strongly condemn uncoordinated rendezvous and proximity operations that pose a risk to safety, as well as the pursuit and harassment of other satellites. Such conduct raises serious concerns regarding both the safety and security of outer space. Copious, And its subcommittees, assisted by UNOOSA, remain the indispensable fora for international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, as well as for the development of international space law, international norms, guidelines, and best practices, including on space safety. Its work is essential to address the pressing challenges that we confront in outer space today, and to guarantee the implementation of international space law. With the private sector significantly involved in outer space activities, we stress the crucial role of COPUOS in enhancing transparency and building confidence. We must all ensure that COPUOS can continue to deliver. Therefore, we attach a great value to the Vienna spirit and call on all UN Member States to bolster this long-standing tradition of mutual trust and willingness to compromise. The expanding membership of COPUOS highlights the growing significance of outer space and space technologies for societies. EU Member States welcome the interest of further countries to join COPUOS. Chair, space traffic management and avoidance of collisions remain key issues for COPUOS. We encourage the Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities to further advance discussions on implementing the 21 LTS guidelines and space debris mitigation guidelines. We strongly support the new expert group on space situational awareness of the working group of the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. Finally, we advocate for the development of capacity building activities with the aim of ensuring that every nation has the capability to contribute to the protection of space assets from collisions. The EU aims to contribute to space traffic management as a global endeavor. pairing existing capabilities and tools with an overall ambition for global cooperation and coordination with international partners to share information and experience. On the operational side, since 2016, EU Space Surveillance and Tracking has provided collision avoidance services to protect satellites and re-entry prediction services to help protect populations and critical infrastructure on Earth, including for non-European users. The Declaration for a Sustainable Use of Outer Space for All, signed at the Paris Space Summit on September 9 to 10 by almost 60 countries, demonstrates a shared commitment to the improvement of space traffic management through the work of COPUOS. Chair, the UN and its Member States welcome recent discussions within the COPUOS Working Group on Legal Aspects of Space Resource Activities and encourage further work to develop a set of recommended principles. We also welcome the continuation of the discussions on promoting information exchange on space activities under Article 11 of OST through the working group of the five UN Space Treaties. We also welcome the work of the Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultation, ATLAC, an important forum to advance dialogue on the safe, sustainable, and coordinated exploration and use of the Moon in a peaceful and transparent manner, as well as other ongoing work streams. The EU remains committed to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Space 2030 Agenda, including its objective of promoting inclusiveness and gender equality in space activities. These, complemented by the annual omnibus resolution in the General Assembly's Fourth Committee, provide a framework for ongoing work. The EU Space Programme, with components like Galileo and Copernicus, is crucial in achieving these goals by providing free, open, and reliable data. These programmes address challenges related to transport systems, renewable energy, food security, water management, climate change, ocean monitoring and environmental impact, including health, while also supporting disaster management, civil security and rescue operations to all states. It is a prime example of international cooperation on peaceful uses of outer space. The EU's Global Gateway strategy supports these efforts. including setting up regional Copernicus centres in Panama and Chile, and a national data centre in the Philippines. Another landmark EU initiative under this strategy is the Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme, which supports Africa's space aspirations as outlined in the African Space Policy. The EU stresses the importance of protecting dark and quiet skies, and initiatives aimed at preserving astronomy from low-Earth orbit satellite interference, as well as the conservation of the pristine night sky. Chair, on a more practical note, we do not support the draft resolution promoted by Russia since 2025 on space science and technology for promoting peace. This draft resolution duplicates the contribution of the omnibus resolution, traditionally adopted by consensus, while inappropriately introducing further space security issues which are not suitably addressed in the Fourth Committee under this agenda item. Moreover, Introducing a text in the Fourth Committee that failed to convince Member States in COPUOS, as the competent forum, is a circumvention of established working methods. I thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you. I give the floor to Israel.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The State of Israel wishes to thank the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space for its important work and comprehensive report. Israel deeply values this Committee as a key forum for promoting international cooperation and the peaceful use of outer space. We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to the principles and objectives set out in its mandate. Mr. Chair, Israel is a small country, a mere half-pin on the global map. Our civilian space programme operates in a highly complex and challenging region. Yet, we relentlessly pursue scientific and technological leadership, striving to contribute to humanity's greatest space missions. All of our scientific projects are rooted in our desire for peace and international cooperation. They are designed this way from the bottom up. A prime example is the UltraSat telescope, built by the Weizmann Institute of Science in partnership with Germany's DESY, NASA, and researchers worldwide. At its essence, it is a collaborating telescope. It aims to identify transient astrophysical events, such as supernova explosions, with an ultraviolet wide field of view in order to send real-time alerts to global facilities like LIGO, Rubin, and IceCube, allowing them to promptly target these events, thereby maximizing the scientific return on investment for the entire global community. Israel Space Agency is part to partner with CNES on the CIL mission, the Cluster for Cloud Evolution, Climate, and Lightning. Launched in 2023 and planned for deployment in 2030, this mission will significantly enhance global climate research and environmental monitoring, while also advancing satellite autonomy and cost efficiency. Building on the success of the inaugural competition, this year, we significantly expanded the International Space Olympics in collaboration with AzerCosmos, the space agency of Azerbaijan, and the Czech Space Agency. This initiative brought together Israeli, Azerbaijani, and Czech students to tackle scientific and technological challenges related to space. Firmly believing that science and space serve as a vital bridge between nations, we look forward to expanding participation to additional countries, fostering international cooperation, advancing STEM education, and inspiring the next generation of global space leaders. As a proud signatory of the Artemis Accords, Israel also continues to support sustainable space exploration. Israel is also finalizing its national space legislation, which will define the Israel Space Agency's mandate, align with international standards, and establish a regulatory framework to encourage both national and commercial space activity. Finally, the growing importance of space technologies make international cooperation more essential than ever. In this regard, Israel reaffirms remains committed to the work of COPUS, UN SPIDER, the International Asteroid Warning Network, and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group. In conclusion, Mr. Chair. Israel values the United Nations' efforts in advocating for the peaceful uses of outer space and pledge our ongoing support to the Secretariat and the global community in this important mission. Our ambition is clear: to ensure that the benefits of space exploration translate into meaningful progress for people, communities, and future generations around the world. I thank you, Chair.

Thank you. I give the floor to Sri Lanka.

For most of human history, outer space seemed remote from my everyday life. Today, it helps sustain it. Even countries that have not launched satellites of their own rely on these satellite services every day. That is why this agenda item concerns every delegation in this room. Nearly 60 years ago, the Outer Space Treaty established the fundamental principle that the exploration and use of outer space should be carried out for the benefit and interest of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development. These principles remain as relevant today as when they were first established, particularly as space activities continue to expand and their significance to humanity increases. Mr. Chair, while the benefits of space technology are considerable, access to them remains uneven. Many developing countries rely on space-based services but have limited access to the technology, expertise, or resources required to harness their full potential. International cooperation can help narrow that gap. Stronger partnerships, training and knowledge sharing, improved access to satellite data, and greater opportunities for young scientists and engineers can enable more countries to develop their own capabilities over time and practice meaningfully in space activities. The International Space Station itself has been operated for decades through cooperation among countries whose relations on Earth have sometimes been strained. This experience offers a powerful lesson that outer space has remained, for the most part, a domain where cooperation has endured despite disagreements. Sri Lanka believes that this spirit of cooperation should be protected and strengthened. The benefits of outer space should not depend on a country's level of technological development. International cooperation should help ensure that scientific and technological progress extends beyond those with the greatest resources and generate benefits for countries across all regions of the world. This is the promise of the Space 2030 agenda, which recognizes space as a driver of sustainable development and a means of advancing the goals we have set for ourselves on Earth. Sri Lanka values this framework and the attention being given to its implementation. We encourage sustained efforts to translate its objectives into tangible benefits, particularly for developing countries. Space-based information is also essential to forecast extreme weather and for disaster risk reduction and preparedness. For a country such as Sri Lanka, which is vulnerable to cyclones, floods and landslides, earlier and more reliable information makes a critical difference in protecting lives and livelihoods. Mr. Chair, As our reliance on outer space increases, so too does our responsibility to keep it safe. The number of objects in orbit continues to rise, and debris already threatens satellites serving countries around the world. Countries that are only beginning to develop their capabilities should inherit an environment in which they can operate safely. The choices made today will shape the opportunities available to those entering this field in the future. This is why responsible use of outer space matters. The peaceful exploration of outer space depends on operators taking responsibility, including governments, private sector, and all those whose activities are shaping the future of outer space. Sri Lanka regrets that the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, COPUS, was unable to adopt its report by consensus at its 69th session. At a time when activity in space is growing so rapidly, Cooperation within the Committee is particularly important. We support the Chair’s ongoing consultations and hope that the Committee’s agenda and schedule of work for 2027 can be agreed. COPUS brings together States with diverse levels of experience and capability. This diversity is one of its strengths, and Sri Lanka believes its tradition of consensus should be strengthened. The Committee has continued to grow, welcoming new members again this year, with more countries seeking membership. This interest reflects as to how states of all sizes and level of development have a stake in the peaceful uses of outer space. As we approach the 60th anniversary of the Outer Space Treaty next year, we should also remember what made this agreement possible. At the dawn of the space age, states were able to agree on principles broad enough to endure profound changes in technology and international relations. That same willingness to find common ground remains essential today. Mr. Chair, Sri Lanka has worked for many years, together with Egypt, to continue to bring the issue of prevention of an arms race in outer space before the General Assembly. Conflicts extending into outer space would have consequences for us all, including countries with no space assets of their own in orbit. Sri Lanka, therefore, continues to attach importance to preserving outer space for peaceful purposes. Outer space is the province of all humankind. Sri Lanka's own experience demonstrates what that principle can mean in practice, and as more nations take part in space activities, we should preserve the outer space for the benefit of present and future generations. I thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. I give the floor to Spain.

Thank you, Chair. Spain aligns itself with the statement of the delegation of the European Union. On behalf of the European Union and its Member States, I would like to add the following considerations in our national capacity. Allow me, first of all, to congratulate Italy for its chairmanship of the Commission on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space, COPUOS, for the biennium 2026-2027. I'd like to thank also the Director of the Office of Outer Space Affairs, Madam Arti Holomayni, for her dedication. and in a particularly difficult context. Outer space is an area of growing importance at the global level, as demonstrated by the fact that COPUOS already has 110 member states. It's an area that deserves to be preserved and protected in the framework of international law, with the Treaty on Outer Space as the cornerstone. Through the Spanish Space Agency, which has been established in 2023, Spain advocates for national priorities that include, inter alia, the management of space traffic, the reduction and elimination of space debris, sustainability, the medium and long term of space activities, and the protection of dark and quiet skies. Spain plays an active role within COPOS. We've organized workshops and technical meetings in which we have shared our experience in satellite telemetry, mitigation of space debris, and observation of the Earth. And we have supported programs for development of space capacities, including the development of national space policies and regional policies for countries with emerging space programs. This commitment that complements our national space policy and our participation in European space initiatives contributes to promoting around the world space activities that are safe, sustainable and responsible. Our upcoming contribution will be a seminar on space law and sustainability for the countries of Latin America, and it will be held in Chile at the beginning of December. Madam, Mr. Chair, as part of our commitment to the sustainability of space activities, Spain has been leading and continues to lead together with Chile efforts to protect dark and quiet skies. The idea is to preserve astronomy from possible interferences of major constellations of satellites, based on the full recognition of the essential services that their operators provide. Thanks to the two seminars that Spain organized with the Office and the Institute of Astrophysics of Canarias, and thanks to the support of a growing number of countries, in the agenda of the Subcommittee on Scientific and Technical Affairs, a specific topic was incorporated on dark and quiet skies for the five-year period 2025-2029. To support these efforts, we have also promoted the creation of a group of friends of dark and quiet skies that we are coordinating with Chile, and that has already brought together some 20 countries from all regions and over 10, over 12 observer organizations. Along the same lines, we are working with the office in organizing a seminar in Vienna on the 8th and 9th of December of this year to raise awareness and make progress in defining principles and good practices in this area. I would like to also recall the very successful chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Legal Affairs that was held for the biennium 2024-2025 by Professor Santiago Ripoll Carrulla, who's head of International Legal advisory services in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain. During his mandate, the Subcommittee reaffirmed its condition as the sole global platform for the development of a legal framework for space activities, and it contributed to raising awareness on the use of applications of space technology in various critical areas. Spain passed the baton to the group of Latin American and Caribbean States that agreed to share the chairmanship between Mexico and Panama for the biennium 2026-2027, and we wish both these countries the best of success. Mr. Chairman, in coordination with the European Union, Spain has been has been supporting the holding of UNISPACE IV in Vienna in 2027. That is, in that year, we will be marking the 60th anniversary of the Treaty on Outer Space. We are aware of existing difficulties, but we continue to be convinced of the value of that conference to guide international cooperation in the area of sustainability, management of space traffic, and space debris. We've also supported the Italian chairmanship of COPUOS to reach an agreement on the decision that was recently adopted by a silence procedure that establishes the dates of the next session of COPUOS and of its subcommittees. We've done this based on our conviction that it is necessary to ensure continuity of meetings in the intersessional period to make them more effective and, where possible, shorter, make the plenary sessions shorter, as long as interpretation into Spanish is guaranteed in all these sessions. I would like to also underscore that Spain has agreed, just as it did last year, to provide another voluntary contribution of 100,000 euros to the Office of Outer Space Affairs, and that starting from this September, we have seconded to the office a young professional from the Junior Professional Officers Program. All this is a concrete demonstration of our support for the office, both today and in the future, because we understand that reduction of posts and programs in the context of an overall reform of the system is especially difficult for an office that is small, both in terms of size and budget. Lastly, I would like to highlight the importance of defending multilingualism, and in particular the Spanish language and the activities of training and information provided by the Office. Spain will continue contributing to the dissemination in Spanish of good practices and activities of training and capacity building. Mr. Chairman, Spain cannot support the resolution of the Russian Federation. space science and technology to promote peace. Not only does it duplicate the content of the omnibus resolution that is being presented in this committee, but it also raises topics related to space that should remain within the remit of the First Committee. Spain will continue, Mr. Chairman, to work with all members of COPUOS in a constructive way and with the Office so that the exploration and use of outer space is conducted as established in the Treaty for the benefit and interest of all countries. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

I thank you. I now give the floor to Mexico.

Thank you, Mr. Jim. As other delegations, Mexico congratulates Italy for chairing COPUOS for the biennium 2026-2027. My country reaffirms its commitment for the exclusively peaceful use of outer space in a responsible way for the benefit of humanity, as well as for a stronger international legal framework. We also reiterate our support for technical work and process of cooperation that are being conducted in the framework of COPUOS and its subcommittees. These are an ideal forum to address in an inclusive way and in a science-based and technology-based way topics that have to do with the peaceful use of outer space. COPUOS plays a central role in space governance. This is why Mexico underscores the importance for the Office of Outer Space Affairs of the United Nations to have sufficient resources to fulfill its mandate, especially in the area of cooperation and strengthening of capacities of states with emerging space capacity activities or those that lack such potential. During the Mexican chairmanship of the Subcommittee on Legal Affairs of COPUOS in its 63rd session, Mexico reiterated its commitment to space law. We reiterate that the freedom of exploration and the use of space is not unlimited, but it must comply with the interests of all states, the non-appropriation, international cooperation, and the exclusively peaceful use of outer space. In the face of the growing participation of private actors, Mexico It reminds everyone that states maintain international responsibility for their national space activities. The authorization and continued supervision of non-governmental entities is essential to ensure that innovation and commercial development is conducted in conformity with international law. Furthermore, the exercise of the freedom of exploration and use of space must be accompanied by the due consideration of the corresponding interests of other States. Mexico would also like to highlight the fact that the responsibility and sustainability, the long-term sustainability of activities in outer space is an essential condition to preserve safe equitable and continued access. Shared obligations in the area of space law must be applied, taking into account the needs of developing countries and states with emerging space capabilities. My country considers that space technologies contribute to social inclusion and sustainable development. in line with Article 1 of the Treaty on Outer Space: "Exploration and the use of outer space must be carried out for the benefit and interest of all countries, independently of their level of economic or scientific development. International cooperation and exchange of information and and capacity building are essential to make this principle effective and ensure equitable access to the benefits derived from space activities. Based on this approach, Mexico participates in the initiative Space for Development of COPUOS, geared towards expanding the benefits of space activities for states independently of the level of development of each country in Latin America and the Caribbean. Space cooperation offers an opportunity to reduce technological gaps and divides and strengthen regional autonomy. We welcome the beginning of the operative stage of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency, ALCE. Its constitutional document reflects the commitment of our continent to the peaceful use of outer space and our mission as a zone of peace. As a pro tempore presidency of ALCE, Mexico promotes the development of capacities and exchange of knowledge and the implementation of joint projects. We are seeking to train experts promote our own technologies and expand access to space technologies that respond to regional priorities and that generate concrete benefits for our peoples. We are convinced that through ALCE, cooperation among countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in the space area will contribute to better prepare our countries to confront common challenges, reduce technological gaps, and take decisions based on our own capacities and information. Mexico makes an appeal to Member States to preserve outer space for purely peaceful purposes and for cooperation, avoiding narrow interests or competition to limit its benefits. Only through an inclusive governance, respect for international law, and effective cooperation can we ensure that space contributes to the sustainable development and the well-being of all of humanity. Thank you very much.

I thank you. I give the floor to Cyprus.

As this is the first time my delegation is taking the floor, allow me to congratulate you and the Bureau for your election and wish you every success in completing the work of our Committee. I reassure you of my delegation’s full support. Cyprus aligns with the statement delivered by the European Union. Allow me to make some additional remarks in my national capacity. Mr. Chair, Cyprus strongly supports the peaceful use of outer space in accordance with international law and the strengthening of international cooperation to ensure that space activities are conducted responsibly, safely, and sustainably for the benefit of all countries. In this context, Cyprus recognizes the essential role of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. and its subcommittees, and remains committed to actively participating in the development of space sector, contributing to and benefiting from space systems that are increasingly vital to the security, resilience, and well-being of our citizens. Furthermore, as a member of COPUOS since 2018, Cyprus reaffirms its commitment to strengthening international cooperation with all Member States, while further enhancing its practical collaboration with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. Mr. Chair, Cyprus has established a comprehensive national legal and regulatory framework to ensure compliance with its international obligations. To date, Cyprus has ratified four UN space treaties on outer space, namely the Outer Space Treaty, the Rescue Agreement, the Liability Convention, and the Registration Convention. This commitment reflects our respect for international space law and the recognition of the importance of rules-based framework for the responsible conduct of space activities. Furthermore, Cyprus has developed its national space sector. In 2023, Cyprus enacted its first comprehensive national space law. Comprising 28 articles, this legislation regulates the legal, economic, and organizational framework for national space activities, addressing key areas such as the registration of space objects, authorization procedures, insurance, liability, and space debris mitigation. This law provides a solid foundation for diversifying the national economy and fostering a skilled and innovative space ecosystem. Historically, Cyprus' engagement with space dates back to the late 1970s, initially through telecommunications and meteorology. A significant milestone followed in 2003 with the launch of Helasat-2, the first Cypriot and Greek telecommunication satellite. Today, Cyprus hosts several international satellite operators, leveraging its strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. To manage these evolving responsibilities, on 5 February 2025, the Council of Ministers of Cyprus formally designated the Department of Electronic Communications of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy as the Cyprus base office. The Cyprus Space Office is responsible for developing national space policy, overseeing the implementation of space legislation, as well as the national space strategy, and representing Cyprus in relevant international and European forums, including COPUOS, the European Space Agency, and the European Union. As of March 17, 2026, Cyprus officially became the associate member of the European Space Agency, following the ratification of the Association Agreement by the House of Representatives. This achievement marks an important milestone that elevates Cyprus' standing within the European space community. It significantly enhances Cyprus' participation in in European Space Agency programs, providing access to valuable expertise, partnerships, and funding opportunities, while creating important new prospects for business, research institutions, and startups. It is a strategic objective of our national space strategy that has now been realized, aimed at strengthening the innovation and competitiveness of our national economy. Mr. Chair, Cyprus recognizes the vital contribution of COPUOS to international cooperation and the importance of the Space 2030 agenda in harnessing space science and technology to advance the sustainable development goals. We believe that continuing multilateral engagement, respect for international space law, and the effective work of COPUOS are essential to addressing shared challenges and ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. As a member of COPUOS, Cyprus remains committed to working closely with all Member States to promote the peaceful uses of outer space, strengthen international cooperation, and ensure that outer space remains in the domain of peaceful cooperation and shared progress for the prosperity of humankind and future generations. I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Senegal.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senegal pays a stirring tribute to the former President of CAPUAS, and we wish every success to Mr. Mario Cospito and his team. Mr. Chairman, at a time when the exploration and use of outer space continues to intensify, the international community is focusing in particular on the development opportunities as well as on the geopolitical and security challenges linked to the use of outer space. Thus, my delegation welcomes initiatives aiming to strengthen this cooperation, in particular in the context of the work of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. CAPWAS plays a vital role in the promotion of transparency, scientific cooperation, and the sustainable management of this fragile environment. Mr. Chair, my delegation is convinced that access to space should not be reserved for a narrow group of space. The use of outer space must be must be in the interest of all countries, in particular developing countries, and it should be devoted to peaceful activities that foster technological progress and socioeconomic development. International cooperation is vital to ensure a safe, equitable, and sustainable use of outer space. It needs to focus on traffic management and resource management, as well as on combating the spread of debris for sustainable and peaceful use of outer space. This cooperation needs to cover the dissemination of spatial science and technologies and their applications in communications, Earth observation systems, satellite navigation, medicine, education, environmental protection, and surveillance, and the management of natural resources. These areas can play a preeminent role in the efforts to deliver on the 2030 agenda. Mr. Chairman, the use of space does not only mean non-militarization. It also means not transforming outer space into an arena for confrontation and into a geostrategic environment for technological domination. It means that the use of spatial infrastructure Civilian spatial infrastructure must respect international law and not contribute to threats against peace, international peace and security, and it should not lead to human rights violations either. In that regard, my delegation calls for strengthening the existing international legal framework, and we encourage the consideration in a multilateral framework of transparency and cooperation mechanisms, as well as the follow-up of space activities, especially dual-use activities. Stronger cooperation in terms of space traffic management also will rein in the risk of confrontation, the spread of space debris, and the long-term environmental impacts of the use of outer space. In closing, my delegation would like to reaffirm our commitment to the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Outer Space Treaty. Thank you.

I thank you. I give the floor to Brazil.

Thank you, Chair. Brazil thanks the delegation of Italy for the preparation of the UNIBUS draft resolution entitled “International Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space”. Brazil remains engaged with this text, which reaffirms the central role of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. We are entering a new era of space exploration and use, and our collective responsibility increases accordingly. Outer space is not merely another economic sector to be exploited for the benefit of a few. It is a province of humankind and should generate economic, social, and scientific development for all. Mr. Chair, at a time of significant global tensions, It is essential to reaffirm our commitment to the uses of outer space exclusively for peaceful purposes. This is a moral imperative, a rule of international law, and our operational necessity. The consequences of irresponsible or illegal behavior in outer space could affect communications, navigation, financial systems, and environmental monitoring around the world. OPUS must remain a central, relevant, and inclusive forum. Brazil noted with deep concern the non-acceptance in the reports of both subcommittees of a term firmly established in multilateral practice, developing countries. Removing this term will not resolve technological asymmetries or unequal access to outer space. The legitimacy of the committee depends not only on reaching consensus, but also on ensuring that consensus remains meaningful and inclusive. Brazil places great trust in the committee's work streams. On space resources, benefit sharing should be expressly included in the draft principles. On space situational awareness, we support a United Nations coordinated point of contact hub. In this regard, Brazil is ready to act as a voluntary hub for regional coordination, with the aim of promoting transparency, cooperation, and sustainability of space activities. In reference to ATLC, we look forward to advancing inclusive consultations on lunar activities with a view to building trust and promoting responsible behavior. We are committed to the timely approval of a new multi-year work plan for the Working Group on the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities. We also welcome the prospect of UNISPACE 4 in 2027 as an opportunity to enhance the sharing of the benefits of outer space, particularly for developing countries and emerging spacefaring nations. Mr. Chair, Space applications are essential tools for sustainable development. In 2025, our National Institute for Space Research recorded deforestation reductions of around 11% in the Amazon and the Cerrado. Together with Argentina, we are developing the SabiaMar mission, dedicated to ocean observation. These experiences show that free and continuous access to space data is fundamental. especially for developing countries, which are often more vulnerable to disasters and climate change. Brazil is also a member and active supporter of Space for Development Initiative, which seeks to bridge the technological gap by fostering well-grounded international cooperation responsive to the needs of developing countries. Mr. Chair, space is a collective endeavor. In this spirit, Brazil invites all delegations to the eighth summit for space sustainability, which we will co-host with the Secure World Foundation in Brasilia on 4th and 5th November, the first time the event takes place in Latin America and the Caribbean. I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Chair, at the outset, please allow me to congratulate you on your election as chair of this committee. It's my honor also to announce that we have been elected as the vice chair of COPUOS for this year. This reflects our keenness to strengthen the peaceful use of space, and this shows our interest in space-related activities. Our world is increasingly interested in outer space. This interest is shown by countries and international organizations in order to achieve sustainable development in several economic and social arenas, including telecommunications, communications, navigation, and climate change monitoring. disaster management and more effective management of natural resources. As a result, international efforts must be stepped up in order to ensure the peaceful and scientific use of outer space. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, since the 70s, has kept pace with seafaring -- with spacefaring countries in order to achieve sustainable development goals. For us, space must remain a domain for scientific and peaceful uses. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has ratified OST and upheld its five principles. This reflects our interest in space. Our space policy seeks to achieve several objectives, including achieving economic development, promoting human development, promoting innovation, human security, and international cooperation. In 2018, we established the Saudi Space Agency. This reflected the government's interest in regulating all matters related to satellite and relevant services, as well as technology to launch vehicles. We also wanted to put in place the infrastructure needed for ground space stations and launch vehicles, as well as orbital flights. We wanted also to develop human resources in space technology and science. We wanted also to promote space security through space monitoring and through debris observation. through early warning systems and jointly in cooperation with relevant space agencies across the world. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to build its national capacities in outer space. To this end, we launched several national initiatives that aim to raise the awareness of future generations on space science. We wanted to build their capacity and we wanted to build human resources in order to to promote ourselves in space science and technology. International effort must be stepped up in order to ensure the peaceful and scientific use of outer space. This will help us address the challenge presented by space debris. In addition, we must pursue our efforts to avert an arms race in outer space. All countries must ensure that their outer space activities are conducted in a spirit of responsibility and transparency. We look forward to strengthening our international partnership in outer space for the exchange of expertise and in order to achieve sustainable development. Thank you.

I thank you. I give the floor to Argentina.

Thank you. Mr. Chairman, first of all, Argentina would like to express its gratitude to Italy for its work at the head of the Committee on the Use of Outer Space for Peace and thank it for its contribution to its work. We would also like to express our condolences for the passing of Professor Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency. Mr. Chairman, Argentina reaffirms the right of all states to participate in the exploration and the use of outer space for peaceful purposes and considers it fundamental that its benefits reach all countries independently of their level of economic, scientific, or technological development. Likewise, we consider that the exploration and the use of outer space, moon, and other celestial bodies must be conducted for the benefit and interest of all countries and in conformity with international law. With this in mind, we would like to reiterate the importance of the Treaty on Outer Space of 1967, which is a cornerstone of the legal regime, international legal regime that governs space activities, and would like to highlight the central role of COPUOS and its subcommittees as the main multilateral forum of the United Nations for considering these issues. The evolution of space technologies and the growing participation of new actors raise challenges that require consensus-based responses based on dialogue, cooperation, and respect for international law. Mr. Chairman, Argentina considers that science and space technologies offer fundamental opportunities for economic and scientific development, the protection of the environment, and improvement of the quality of life of our people. In this framework, our country promotes through the National Commission for Space Activities, various satellite missions, including the constellation SAIKOM-1. Its data is complemented with the data of the Italian constellation COSMO-SkyMed as part of this Italian-Argentinian system of satellites for management of emergencies. We're also continuing to advance in development of the SABIA MAR mission aimed at observing the seas and coastal areas with application for scientific research, management of fishing resources, and environmental protection. The application of space technologies and science, including communication for the navigation of satellites, are essential instruments for scientific and economic development, environmental protection, and improving the quality of life. These initiatives reflect the potential of space technologies to respond to specific needs of our societies and contribute to a better management of resources in emergency situations. International cooperation is precisely one of the pillars of Argentinian space policies. In this area, I would like to highlight the strategic partnership with Italy, the participation in the Artemisa agreements and Argentinian contribution to the Artemis 2 mission of NASA through the microsatellite Atenea developed by national scientific and technological institutions. Our country also attaches importance to the training of human resources, strengthening of scientific and technological capacities. In this context, we I acknowledge the valuable work of UNOOSA, especially in the area of technical assistance and capacity building for developing countries. Mr. Chairman, The growth of space activities, together with the opportunities they offer, represents new challenges for their long-term sustainability, especially in the face of increase of space traffic, accumulation of orbital debris, and the risk of interferences. In this situation, Argentina considers it essential to promote transparency and confidence-building measures, as well as strengthen mechanisms of cooperation allowing for preventing incidents and possible conflicts. Along these same lines, we reaffirm our commitment to the prevention of an arms race in outer space and its exclusively peaceful use, in conformity with international law. To conclude, Mr. Chairman, the Republic of Argentina reiterates its firm support for COPUOS and its subcommittees, as well as for UNOOSA. I would like to highlight the importance for these organs to have the necessary resources to fulfill their mandates and continue strengthening scientific, technological, and legal capacities of countries. Our country will continue participating actively and constructively in their work with a conviction that dialogue and multilateral cooperation are essential to confront challenges that are current and future regarding space activities. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to the Philippines.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Allow me to begin by congratulating you and the Bureau for your leadership. We also thank COPUS, as well as the programs of the subcommittees, and UNOOSA for their important work. Mr. Chair, the Philippines is firm in its conviction that outer space should be safe, secure, and sustainable for present and future generations. This requires enhanced international cooperation and action in order to be realized. We therefore reaffirm our commitment to preserving the peaceful and responsible uses of outer space for all of humanity, as outer space supports a broad range of human activities in the fields of navigation, telecommunications, and commerce, among others. As a party to the Outer Space Treaty, we call upon spacefaring nations to respect agreed norms that govern space activities. And we also encourage further codification of instruments that prevent the militarization of outer space, including through transparency and confidence building. We renew our call to ensure that the needs of developing countries are addressed through effective capacity-building programs and outreach activities. Mr. Chair, as a climate-vulnerable archipelagic state, advancing the peaceful use of outer space contributes to our national resilience and sustainable development. The Philippine Space Act of 2019 established the country's space program and interagency Philippine Space Council. In this regard, we are working to play our part in the wider space community. Last year, we joined the Space for Ocean Alliance and the Artemis Accords. We also hosted the 31st Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum and the 7th International Space Forum with the International Astronautical Federation. At the regional level, last March, we hosted an ASEAN seminar workshop on space situational awareness and space traffic management. Notably, during the Philippines' chairmanship of ASEAN this year, We are working towards the adoption of an ASEAN declaration on space cooperation at the 49th ASEAN summit that will take place next month. And this will strengthen regional cooperation in space science and technological innovation, as well as promote the responsible, peaceful, and sustainable uses of outer space. In cooperation with the EU, the Copernicus program with the Philippines supports ground motion, land cover, and crop mapping. as well as coastal habitat monitoring. And with the UN Platform for Space-Based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response, we are contributing to a project on flood resilience in the Solomon Islands, along with a technical advisory mission for other small island developing states. We also actively participate in the Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities and its Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness under COPUS. The Philippines Space Agency, likewise, has set up a technical working group on orbital debris protocols. In conclusion, Mr. Chair, the Philippines wishes to emphasize the following five points. First, COPUS should be strengthened as the main platform for expanding international cooperation on the exploration and peaceful uses of outer space, in particular, to close the technological divide between developing and developed countries through more targeted capacity building and technical assistance in support of the 2030 Space Agenda. Second, we call for implementation of the COPUS space debris mitigation guidelines. Third, an arms race in outer space must be prevented through more transparent confidence-building measures. Fourth, we support the convening of UNISPACE IV and hope that it leads to meaningful outcomes across the global space agenda. And fifth, with regard to the draft omnibus resolution, we support, like other countries, reinsertion of language pertaining to developing countries, youth, and women. I thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. China has the floor.

Thank you, Chair. At present, space technology is advancing at an accelerating pace, and the space industry is developing rapidly, presenting important opportunities for humanity's peaceful use of outer space. At the same time, international governance of outer space faces numerous challenges, including the emergence of new types of space activities, the attempts of certain countries to turn outer space into a battlefield, and technological gaps that hinder equitable access. China supports further improving global governance of outer space and advancing international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space. First, we must uphold the original purpose of governance. The exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes constitute an important foundation of global space governance and an important principle that all countries should follow. China has consistently opposed the use of outer space for activities that undermine other countries' national sovereignty, security, and development interests. opposed the adoption of offensive outer space strategies and policies, and opposed attempts to weaponize outer space or turn it into a battlefield. Second, multilateralism must be upheld. COPUOS is the primary platform for global space governance. Other UN bodies should coordinate and cooperate with COPUOS, and other multilateral mechanisms should play a constructive role while avoiding any discriminatory or exclusive arrangements. At this year's COPWA session, one country abused the tradition of consensus and placed its own will above that of all member states, resulting in the session's failure to adopt a substantive report, which seriously hampered the committee's ability to discharge its functions. China calls on all parties to unite in opposing the use of unilateral power politics to undermine multilateral cooperation so as to ensure the effective functioning of COPUOS. Third, we should pursue cooperation and shared benefits. Strengthening international cooperation is the only viable path towards improving space governance. In the face of practical issues such as the increasing amount of space debris and growing pressure on orbital resources, as well as potential challenges including outer space resource development and lunar exploration activities, all countries share common concerns and common interests and should address these issues through dialogue and cooperation. China is willing to share the fruits of its space development with all parties. Recently, China donated lunar soil samples collected from the far side of the Moon by the Chang'e-6 mission to the United Nations and will continue working to ensure that space activities benefit all. Fourth, we must strengthen the foundations of the rule of law. Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Outer Space Treaty. Over the past six decades, the treaty has laid the legal foundation for the peaceful use of outer space and provided important guidance for improving global space governance. In the face of new challenges brought about by emerging technologies, all parties should remain committed to maintaining international space law with the treaty as its cornerstone, strengthen the interpretation and application of existing rules in international law, and explore new rules based on the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, so as to promote good governance through sound laws. Chair, guided by the vision of a community with a shared future, China actively implements the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping and remains firmly committed to advancing the peaceful use of outer space. On October 24, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced China's position on strengthening outer space governance at the opening ceremony of the Global Governance Forum Xiong'an. Guided by the common values of humanity, the position paper advocates a balanced approach to the development and security of outer space as well as its stability and sustainability, and puts forward 10 propositions covering adherence to the international rule of law, safeguarding common security, deepening international cooperation, and advancing global governance. Based on this position paper, China will further strengthen communication with all parties and build greater consensus. Chair. Outer space is common domain for all humanity, and space exploration is a common undertaking of humankind. China stands ready to work with all parties to deepen international cooperation, enhance the effectiveness of our actions, and ensure that the benefits of space development are shared more broadly by all. Thank you, Chair.

I thank you, and I give the floor to Pakistan.

Pakistan thanks the Chair of the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space for his briefing, reaffirm that outer space is the common heritage of humankind. It must remain free from national appropriation and claims of sovereignty, and remains accessible to all nations on a non-discriminatory basis, irrespective of their level of scientific, technical, or economic development. It should be dedicated exclusively for peaceful purposes. Pakistan has been an active member of COPUS since 1973, and it has ratified all five United Nations space treaties, underscoring our longstanding commitment to the peaceful, sustainable, and equitable use of outer space. As a space emerging nation, the prime focus of Pakistan's national space program remains the pursuit of sustainable socioeconomic progress. Our national space program is guided by national space policy, which provides a framework for harnessing space technologies in support of development, climate resilience, and disaster risk reduction. The legislation underscores the need for sustained governmental commitment and clear policy directives to ensure the long-term success of our program. In 2023, Pakistan joined the International Lunar Research Station Initiative, and in January 2025, successfully launched Proceo-1, our first indigenous developed electro-optical satellite. With its advanced imaging capabilities, the satellites support precision agriculture, forest management, and disaster risk assessment while reducing reliance on foreign sources. Our national space agency, Suparco, has also developed a mobile phone application providing real-time satellite-based solutions for farmers, enhancing productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Chair, Pakistan attaches high importance to international cooperation. We are a member of the International Astronautical Federation, the Committee on Space Research, the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization, and the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum. Shaparko also hosts the UN SPIDER Regional Support Office, the Mission Control Center of COSPAS-SARSAT, and Inter-Islamic Network on Space Science and Technology. Chair. Space is finite, and it is fragile. Pakistan attaches high importance to the work of the Working Group on Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities, while cautioning against frameworks that impose disproportionate obligations on developing countries. Space debris mitigation, particularly in light of mega-constellations, is a common but differentiated responsibility. Those States whose past and ongoing activities have generated the bulk of orbital debris must assume primary responsibility and extend technical and financial assistance to others. Enhanced information sharing for space traffic management and collision avoidance is also essential. Pakistan underscores the importance of equitable access to radio frequency spectrum and orbital resources, particularly the geostationary orbit. We also support the preservation of dark and quiet skies to safeguard astronomical research from interference caused by large satellite constellations. On space resources, Pakistan welcomes the work of Working Group on Legal Aspects of Space Resources activities. Any framework must align with the Outer Space Treaty, uphold principles of non-appropriation and equitable access, and avoid fragmentation. through unilateral national legislation. While voluntary norms can be useful, they cannot substitute for legally binding instruments. The international legal regime must evolve to ensure the rule of law, equitable access, and sustainability of space operations. We extend full support to the Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultations, co-chaired by Pakistan and Romania, and its work on international consultation and cooperation concerning lunar activities. The work plan and priority topics were agreed by consensus at the 68th session of COPUS, reflecting steady progress. Pakistan remains a consistent proponent of prevention of an arms race in outer space. We oppose the weaponization of space in all its manifestations, including debris-generating anti-satellite tests, which pose grave risk to the safety, security, and sustainability of space activities. We reiterate our call for negotiations on a legally binding instrument to prevent an arms race in outer space. We also view the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems as vital for making a valuable contribution to sustainable development by promoting compatibility, interoperability, and transparency among different satellite navigation systems. Pakistan applied for membership in 2021, which remains pending to date. We caution against politicization of technical forums. The ICG will not be able to pursue its stated objectives effectively if countries which can contribute to its technical work, like Pakistan, continue to be excluded. In conclusion, Pakistan reaffirms its steady readiness to work constructively with all Member States to ensure that outer space remains a domain of peace, cooperation, and sustainable development for present and future generations. I thank you all.

Thank you. I give the floor to Cote d’Ivoire.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, Cote d’Ivoire, at the outset, would like to welcome the central role played by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, COPUOS, in the promotion of outer space cooperation for the benefit of all States, regardless of their level of economic or scientific development. My country also congratulates the Office for Outer Space Affairs for its work to make science and space technology in space a lever for sustainable development, in particular in the area of agriculture, environment, health, and education. Chair, outer space technology is now an essential tool for sustainable development, indeed. Earth observation data helps better manage agricultural lands, it helps to anticipate climate risks, follow up on the changing of water resources, and it bolsters the resilience of rural communities. My country therefore strongly encourages the development of partnerships that benefit member states, especially African states, to support food security, preserve forests, sustainably manage natural resources, and prevent disasters. In this regard, my delegation welcomes the granting of observership status to the African Space Agency, which opens up new prospects for strengthening cooperation between the African continent and other outer space actors. In the same vein, Côte d’Ivoire welcomes the initiative “Space for Development” the sharing of benefits in outer space activities. From the African group and several other states, we encourage the continuation of consultations aiming to translate this ambition into concrete opportunities for cooperation. My country also supports the proposal to organize in 2027 the fourth UN Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Use of Outer Space, UNISPACE 4. My delegation hopes that this important event will also furnish the opportunity to strengthen international cooperation, to ensure better awareness of the needs of developing countries, and to promote the safe and sustainable use of outer space. Côte d’Ivoire also emphasizes the need to ensure the full and effective participation of developing countries in discussions on outer space governance to ensure that the benefits of outer space activity are shared equitably. Chair, like many delegations, Côte d’Ivoire believes that even if access to space is a major development issue, Major attention should be given to security and to the long-term viability of outer space activities. With that in mind, my country fully encourages the implementation of the guidelines of COPUOS on reduction of space debris and on the long-term viability of outer space activities. My delegation also underscores the importance of sharing information, of capacity building, and cooperation to prevent collisions and for preserving the outer space environment. What's more, we endorse the call to give the Office for Outer Space Affairs the resources it needs to discharge its mandate so it can continue to effectively accompany Member States. Strengthening transparency and confidence-building measures and responsible behavior in outer space is a useful contribution to reducing risk, and to preserving international peace and security. The intensification of strategic rivalries and the development of anti-satellite capacities make it necessary all the more to prevent an arms race in outer space. We thus support the continuation of multilateral efforts aiming at a international legally binding instrument. to ensure appropriate guarantee mechanisms so as to prevent the placement of weapons in outer space and the threat or use of force against outer space objects. Côte d’Ivoire reaffirms its commitment to the principles of the 1967 Treaty on Outer Space. And we reiterate our commitment to the UN Charter. Outer space must be an arena for peaceful cooperation, and it should not become a new space for military confrontation. Mr. Chairman, we're aware of the strategic role of outer space technology. Thus, on the 4th of June, 2025, Cote d'Ivoire adopted a decree of our space agency. This structure is called upon to strengthen our national capacity for observation of the earth, for natural resource management, for disaster prevention, and for telecommunications and meteorology. Cote d’Ivoire is also continuing to develop its national geospatial program with the support of the Center for Geography. and information which spotlights the critical importance of geospatial information for effective national planning and the effective management of natural resources. In this regard, the development of a historic map has helped to prevent deforestation and maintain sustainable agriculture in Cote d’Ivoire. We sincerely thank all of our international partners for their many forms of assistance. This has allowed Cote d’Ivoire to beef up its national capacity in the area of outer space. My country remains convinced in this regard that international cooperation and voluntary technology transfers, as well as technical assistance, are vital to allow developing States to fully draw on the benefits of the peaceful use of outer space. Mr. Chairman, Humanity is expanding its presence beyond the Earth. At this time, we have a collective responsibility. It’s to ensure that scientific progress does not sow division. Outer space must remain open to everyone. We must prevent conflicts, and we must put outer space at the service of sustainable development. By way of conclusion, we reaffirm our readiness to contribute actively to our work in a spirit of cooperation and openness. so that outer space can become a tool for peace, scientific progress, and sustainable development to serve all peoples. I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Singapore.

Mr. Chair, as this is the first time my delegation is taking the floor, allow me to congratulate you on your election and thank you for steering the work of this Committee. You and your Bureau have our full support. Mr. Chair, Singapore is a nation that has always looked outward to connect with the world. That same spirit also extends upward to the possibilities of outer space. Once the preserve of a few, space-based technologies are increasingly within the reach of countries large and small. They have transformed how we live by powering navigation and connectivity. optimising transport and logistics, monitoring climate and environment, and strengthening disaster preparedness and response. As the Space 2030 Agenda enters the second-half of its implementation period, the question is no longer if humanity will do more in space. The question is how, and for whose benefit. For Singapore, the answer is clear: space must remain accessible to all states, regardless of their size or level of development. The exploration and use must be carried out responsibly, for the benefit of all, and in accordance with international law. The rapid expansion of activities in space has also brought challenges. With more actors come new ideas and opportunities. But increased orbital congestion and space debris pose serious risks to the safety and long-term sustainability of outer space activities. These are not abstract concerns. International cooperation and governance frameworks must keep pace with developments. This is especially so for a small, highly connected country like Singapore, which relies on space technology for many essential services. Keeping space peaceful, safe, and accessible to all is thus of great importance to us. Allow me to highlight three ways Singapore is contributing to this. First, Singapore seeks to strengthen an inclusive and rules-based governance framework. To this end, we support the development of norms, principles, and standards to guide space activities, grounded in international law, with the Outer Space Treaty as a cornerstone. We actively engage in discussions at international and regional platforms. These include COPUOS, the International Astronautical Congress, and the ASEAN Subcommittee on Ocean, Earth, and Space Sciences. Within COPUS, Singapore supports the Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness to improve information-related processes that are critical to operational safety and collision avoidance. We have also demonstrated our commitment to open, transparent, and inclusive dialogue. This year, in February, we hosted the inaugural Singapore Space Summit, bringing together over 2,000 leaders from national space agencies international organizations, and industry. Discussions highlighted the importance of alignment across policy, technology, and partnerships to translate space capabilities into tangible benefits. In March, we shared our regulatory experience at the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs workshop on space policy development in Cambodia under the Global Space Law Project. Second, Singapore has developed capabilities that contribute to our collective responsibilities in outer space. Following our decades-long space journey, we’ve established the National Space Agency of Singapore, or NSAS, in April this year, a crucial step to expand our national space capabilities, deepen our R&D, and forge stronger global partnerships. To support this important work, The government has committed over 164 million US dollars since 2022 through the Space Technology Development Program. This accelerates research and innovation in areas such as space sustainability, climate monitoring, and microgravity research. As our space capabilities grow, we will also be better placed to enrich discussions on sustainable space activities and strengthen international operational coordination. Third, Singapore harnesses our space capabilities to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges. This includes sharing our expertise with partners to strengthen our region's resilience and support sustainable development. Through the partnership between NSAS and the Mekong River Commission, Singapore will contribute to flood mapping efforts using geospatial and satellite technologies. These efforts are enabled by our Earth Observation Initiative, which uses satellite data to monitor critical areas such as food and water quality, disaster and disease monitoring, and forestry and land management. Singapore will continue to work with interested partners to harness space technology to deliver benefits where they matter the most: on the ground. Mr. Chair, Singapore may be small, but size on Earth does not determine a country's stake in space. The services that cross our skies support every economy, and the risks in orbit are shared by all. Singapore reaffirms our support for the UN's work to preserve outer space as a peaceful, safe, and sustainable domain. We stand ready to work with international partners to ensure that its benefits remain accessible to all. I thank you.

Thank you. We give the floor to Malta.

Chair, Malta aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union, and these additional remarks are in a national capacity. Over the past year, Malta has evolved from an interested observer to an increasingly engaged participant in international space affairs and multilateral bodies. At the outset, Malta wishes to express its sincere appreciation to Member States for their support in our accession to the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space during last year’s General Assembly. As a new member of COPUOS, Malta is actively contributing to the Committee's work and reaffirms its commitment to supporting COPUOS in fulfilling its mandate as the primary multilateral forum for advancing international space law and fostering international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. Earlier this year, Malta became a signatory to the Artemis Accords, underscoring our commitment to the peaceful, transparent, and responsible exploration and use of outer space. This step complements Malta's broader efforts to establish a robust national framework capable of supporting participation in an increasingly dynamic space environment. Through these engagements, Malta seeks to contribute to international efforts to ensure that the benefits arising from space exploration and the use of outer space are shared in a more just and equitable manner, enabling all countries, irrespective of their level of technological development or scale space capabilities, to participate in and benefit from the opportunities that space offers. In line with these international commitments, Malta continued to implement its National Space Strategy, recognizing the potential of space technologies to drive innovation, economic growth, and high-quality employment. We also recognized the value of space technologies in addressing challenges related to climate resilience, maritime security, environmental protection, and disaster preparedness. In parallel, Malta has continued efforts to modernize its legislative framework through the Space Activities Act, further demonstrating its commitment to the responsible development of the space sector. As a small island state, Malta believes that all states should have meaningful opportunities to contribute to international efforts and benefit from the opportunities that space offers. Realizing this potential requires an inclusive, multi-stakeholder approach that brings together states, international organizations, the private sector, academia, and other relevant actors, utilizing the diverse expertise and perspectives as essential to advancing our collective ambitions. As opportunities for exploration and innovation continue to expand, these must be matched by a strong commitment to responsibility, sustainability, and international cooperation. Malta therefore underlines the importance of maintaining a robust, rules-based framework grounded in international law to ensure that the peaceful uses of outer space continue to benefit present and future generations alike. Malta remains committed to working with all partners through COPUOS and other multilateral fora to ensure that the benefits of space activities are shared broadly and that outer space remains a domain of cooperation, innovation, and opportunity for present and future generations alike. Thank you.

I thank you.

I give the floor to Zimbabwe.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Outer space holds immense promise for humanity. Once a preserve of a few technologically advanced nations, space science technology is increasingly becoming an indispensable tool for sustainable development. We must therefore ensure that the benefits of outer space are accessible to all nations, regardless of their level of development, Mr. Chair. Zimbabwe has been an active player in the peaceful utilization of space science for socioeconomic development since the official launch of the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency, ZNGSA, in 2018. With support from the joint global multi-nations Bird Satellite Project and backing from several partners, Zimbabwe successfully launched its first Earth observation satellite, SimSat-1, in 2022, followed by SimSat-2 in 2024. These milestones have strengthened our capacity to apply space technology in agriculture, environmental monitoring, disaster management, and natural resources mapping. Plans to launch the third Earth observational satellite, SimSat-3, aimed at expanding these capabilities are at an advanced stage. Our experience demonstrates what developing countries can achieve through international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and technology transfer. Mr. Chair, my delegation commends the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, UNOOSA, for its continued support to developing countries, particularly in strengthening technological capacities and national regulatory frameworks. We particularly value the contribution of the UN platforms for space-based information for disaster management and emergency response, UN-SPIDER. Such initiatives demonstrate how international cooperation can translate scientific advances into practical solutions that protect lives and livelihoods. We therefore call for stronger partnerships, greater access to space-based data, and increased investment in capacity building and technology transfer, particularly for African countries. Mr. Chair, Zimbabwe's participation in the Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, COPUS, demonstrates our determination not only to benefit from space science and technology, but to also contribute meaningfully to shaping the international framework governing its peaceful use. We believe that outer space must remain a domain of peaceful cooperation, guided by international law and the common interests of humanity. In this regard, Zimbabwe continues to advance national consultations aimed at strengthening its space policy and legislative framework, including consideration of relevant international treaties governing outer space activities. Let me conclude by assuring you, Mr. Chair, that Zimbabwe remains committed to active engagement in the work of COPUOS and to strengthening cooperation with fellow Member States. I thank you.

I thank you. Give the floor to Sudan.

At the outset, Mr. Chair, I would like to congratulate you for your election to chair the Fourth Committee and the Bureau. We wish you success in your mission. Sudan supports all the work of COPUS, and we value their achievements, especially as an example, strengthening the use of developing countries of the capabilities of space and its use for sustainable development and dealing with challenges arising from climate change and being able to predict disasters and working on disaster risk reduction and strengthening resilience, we reaffirm the following: the importance to adhering to the UN Charter and international law and the OST and other relevant treaties. We also affirm all States' rights, regardless of their level of technological and developmental level, to access space technology and the useful peace of space without discrimination in line with international law. There is a need to support developing countries through capacity building, technology transfer, and knowledge exchange. We express our concern regarding an arms race in outer space, or what is called the militarization of outer space, emerging. And there must be a discussion of the emerging concerns regarding the use of space. We emphasize that outer space must be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, as space is a joint common ownership, and this all must be managed through the umbrella of the United Nations. We affirm the need to refrain from politicizing international cooperation regarding the use of outer space for peaceful purposes. Mr. Chair, having multiple paths to deal with outer space issues is not beneficial. These must be consolidated, and we must support the new working group based on GA resolution 512 79/512. In conclusion, we would like to note that the rebel militias have produced major destruction to the remote sensing facility, the space facilities, and seismologic agency, which had effective work on outer space research in the past. In this context, we call on our regional and international partners, as part of international cooperation, to support the efforts of the Government of Sudan to restore and reconstruct these facilities, in addition to supporting the colleges that are related to outer space technology and applications. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank you. I give the floor to Switzerland.

Mr. Chair, congratulations on your election. The exploration and use of outer space are the province of all humankind. Space technologies and satellite data are essential to our societies, to our critical infrastructure, and to the achievement of the sustainable development goals. However, the intensification of space activities and the increase in the number of actors and objects in orbit are raising growing challenges in terms of safety, security, and long-term sustainability. Switzerland reaffirms that all space activities must be conducted in compliance with international law, in particular the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law. Allow me to highlight the following points. First, Switzerland welcomes the progress made within the Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space in 2026. International cooperation is essential to prevent collisions, mitigate the proliferation of debris, and preserve the orbital environment for future generations. Second, Switzerland reaffirms its support for the UNISPACE IV Conference. We welcome the efforts of the Committee's Chair, and encourage the continuation of consultations in a spirit of dialogue, pragmatism and consensus. This Conference will provide an opportunity to advance inclusive and effective space governance and to strengthen the benefits of space activities for all humankind. Third, Switzerland underlines the importance of preserving the conditions necessary for scientific research, in particular by protecting dark and quiet skies. We support the development of space applications in the service of sustainable development, particularly in the fields of global health, climate action, and disaster risk reduction. We welcome the progress made by the Space and Global Health Network and the forthcoming conference on this topic. Finally, Switzerland continues to promote responsible space activities. and cooperation open to all, as demonstrated by the elaboration of a federal act on space operations and our participation in the European Space Agency. By hosting the 2029 International Astronautical Congress in Geneva, we aim to provide a platform that is conducive to cooperation and inclusive dialogue on space issues. Mr. Chair, Switzerland remains convinced that consensus is a fundamental principle of the Committee’s work and must be preserved. We encourage the continued elaboration of thematic draft resolutions within the Committee, and we reiterate our concern regarding the use of voting on this item. Such practices deviate from the Committee’s consensus-based negotiation process; they risk undermining its role. and contributing to a fragmentation of international governance of the peaceful use of outer space. Thank you.

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we just heard the last statement this morning. As announced previously, the plenary group of work will start examination of texts presented under item 46A right after the adjournment of this following the adjournment of this meeting in a closed setting chaired by Mr. Kozpet, chair of the working group of the whole and the Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space. The committee will reconvene tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th of October, 10:00 AM, in this conference room to continue its general debate on this item, followed by a meeting of the working group of the whole at 12:00 PM. I would like to remind delegations that the Fourth and First Committee will hold a joint panel discussion under agenda item 46 (B) on possible challenges to space security and sustainability at 10:00 AM on Thursday, 29th of October, in this conference room. The meeting is adjourned.