Primera Comisión, 25ª sesión plenaria, Asamblea General, 81° período de sesiones
Asamblea General
Date: 29 October 2026
Language: English
Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/es/ga/c1/81/25?lang=en
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1st Committee · Chair [0:02]:

Good morning, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. The 25th meeting of the Disarmament and International Security Committee and 14th meeting of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee for the joint final discussions on possible challenges to space security and sustainability under agenda items 46B 101/II are called to order. I warmly welcome you all to this joint meeting of the First and Fourth Committees, convened pursuant to the General Assembly resolutions 80/44 and 80/76. A particularly warm welcome is extended to our distinguished panelists who are with us on the podium today: Mr. Adedeji Ibo, Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs; Ms. Arti Holamini, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs; Mr. Darren McKnight, Senior Technical Fellow for Leo Labs; and Mr. Nick Sheaf, Managing Director of Astroscale UK. It is a pleasure to co-chair this meeting with the Chair of the Fourth Committee, His Excellency Mr. Kolissek. We have agreed to take turns in guiding the proceedings of this meeting. Accordingly, I will chair the first half while my co-chairs will preside over the second half. We will first hear statements and presentations by our esteemed panellists. Then the floor will be open for an interactive dialogue among Member States and the panellists. Thereafter, the floor will be open for national statements. Before proceeding further, in view of the feedback received, I would like to propose that We follow the time limits for the statement from the floor pursuant to the past practices of the Joint Panels in 2022 and 2024 of five minutes. May I take it that the Committee wishes to proceed accordingly? I hear no objections. It is so decided. Excellency, distinguished delegates, the questions of how best to preserve outer space exclusively for peaceful purposes is a subject that has been considered by both committees respectively over the years. The first committee has been addressing this subject under the item on prevention of an arm's race in outer space, and its various sub-items as well as the items on general and complete disarmament, with the sub-items entitled transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities. The Fourth Committee considered it under the item on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. This meeting provides an integrated forum for members of the both committees. to consider this issue together under a unified sub-item, joint panel discussions of the First and Fourth Committees on possible challenges to space security and sustainability, as mandated in OP 8 of General Assembly resolutions 80/44 and OP 20 of the General Assembly resolutions 80/76. The program for the joint panel discussions included background information on recent developments related to possible challenges to space security and sustainability since the last joint panel of the two committees on this item in 2024. By its decision 79/512, the General Assembly established a consolidated open-ended working group on the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects. The working group has been able to commence its substantive work under an agreed agenda and indicative timetable for the period 2025 to 2028. In 2025, the Conference on Disarmament considered the item prevention of an arms race in outer space in its subsidiary body, third, where it extensively discussed areas of possible convergence related to possible future work on this matter. The 2026 sessions of the conference also held a thematic plenary meeting on this item. In its resolutions 80/76, The General Assembly expressed deep concerns about the fragility of the space environment. It called on Member States to pay urgent attention to the increasing probability of collisions involving space objects. At its 68th session in 2025, the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space noted that its working group on the long-term sustainability of outer space activities had reached consensus on its draft final report. Among the topics identified for consideration is in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing. This covers the safety and sustainability of complex on-orbit operations. such as satellite life extensions, refuelling, inspections, assembly in orbit and active debris removal. The working group also established an expert group on space situational awareness. The General Assembly welcomed its establishment. Finally, the Committee noted that space-related discussions in Vienna, Geneva, Montreal and New York should complement on another and avoid duplications of or conflict between the relevant mandates. Distinguished delegates, today’s discussions take place against a backdrop of parallel work. In New York and Geneva, the Open-ended Working Group and the Conference on Disarmament are taking forward discussions on preventing an arms race in outer space. In Vienna, the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space is advancing work on long-term sustainability, including complex on-orbit operations and space situational awareness. Our aim is to ensure that these efforts complement one another. We will now hear from our distinguished panelists. I now have the pleasure to turn to our distinguished panellists, who are requested to limit their statement to no more than eight minutes. The Committee will first hear a presentation by Mr. Adelejo Ibo, Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs. Mr. Ibo, you have the floor now.


UNODA · Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs [8:21]:

Thank you, sir. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen. It is my pleasure to address this sixth joint panel discussion of the First and Fourth Committees. I also thank the Office for Outer Space Affairs for their collaboration and partnership. It is nice to have you here. Since the last joint meeting, the security situation in outer space has continued to evolve rapidly and with increasing complexity. I will describe some of these most salient trends, but in very plain words. One is allegations of the development of objects designed to carry nuclear weapons in orbit. Another, declaration of the placement of space control weapons in orbit; thirdly, plans to develop and place other types of weapons in orbit; the increasing practice of close approaches between space objects without common understanding on how to govern these activities; Next is the increasing use of commercial space-based services to support military operations in the context of armed conflict. And finally, the continued and increasing reliance on space-based systems to support missile launch detection and the verification of disarmament agreements. In light of these trends, in her opening remarks to the First Committee, the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs observed, and I quote: “In outer space, we are drifting from the long-standing goal of preventing an arms race to the need to halt one.” Unquote. We need urgent and decisive measures agreed by States to reverse these trends. In that connection, I welcome the start of substantive deliberations within the open-ended working group established pursuant to decision 79/512. This common platform enables the concerns and interests of all States to be best addressed in a single forum. This makes it possible to thoroughly examine all approaches, including those that address capabilities, activities, and behaviors. The agreed timetable also demonstrates that the elaboration of legally binding and non-legally binding measures are not mutually exclusive. Today's joint panel discussion provides a critical moment for reflection as we approach the midway point of the Open-ended Working Group. Many of the challenges and solutions relevant to preventing an arms race in outer space are cross-cutting. They also touch upon the competence of many different bodies, such as the Conference on Disarmament, the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and International Telecommunications Union. Discussions like this, therefore, contribute to avoiding duplication while respecting mandates and promoting synergies between the various work streams. I particularly want to welcome the participation on today's panel of representatives from commercial entities. Their operational experience can inform the elaboration of measures that are effective and that avoid constraining economic development. Their contributions are important in areas where commercial actors are actively developing new types of technologies. One relevant set of capabilities includes in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacture. The capabilities of commercial actors can also play an important role in contributing to the verification and monitoring of international agreements applicable to outer space. In this connection, commercial services have the potential to bolster and democratize access to national technical means of verification. They can even provide cost-effective pathways for verification by international organizations. These matters touch upon areas of mutual concern to the space policy community as a whole. This includes space traffic management, the regulation of rendezvous and proximity operations, and the promotion of technology for the shared interest of all, among others. Accordingly, it is my hope that this joint panel discussion contributes to identifying potential solutions to at least some of the growing challenges in the space domain. I hope it promotes greater mutual awareness of the work being undertaken in the various bodies dealing with space security, safety, and sustainability. And I hope This appreciation leads to common understanding on how solutions developed in one forum can be leveraged to help solve problems discussed elsewhere. I wish you all the best for a productive discussion today. Thank you, Mr. Chair.


1st Committee · Chair [15:50]:

Next, I give the floor to Ms. Aarti Holamine, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space. You have the floor, madam.


UNOOSA · Director [16:03]:

Chairs, Excellencies, distinguished guests, it's a pleasure for me to address this joint meeting of the First and Fourth Committees today, and my thanks to the Office of Disarmament Affairs and Director Ibo for our close and valuable cooperation. In my statement this morning, I would like to make two points. The first is that we only meet like this across committees every two years. There is no formal output and no standing coordination mechanism between the work done in Vienna on space safety and sustainability and the work done in Geneva on space security. Over the last two years, however, information exchange has significantly improved. My office has given multiple updates on the progress being made in Vienna to the Geneva diplomatic community, which has in turn welcomed them as informative and called for a more structured and regular dialogue. We have UNIDIR with their annual space security conference, UNODA, and various NGOs like IISS and GSCP to thank for that. More information also has to flow, however, to the New York-based diplomatic community, which is directly concerned with peace and security. I note the valuable space security conference that was organized by the Republic of Korea here in New York in December last year, and would advocate for such an event to take place annually. The reason I make this point so strongly is that our dependence on space technology, data, and services has become so profound that in a single day without satellites, we would see our modern functioning of society being severely compromised. Our need for information on events to flow almost in real time across the globe. our ability to anticipate, monitor, and respond to more frequent, more intense, and often almost unmanageable severe weather events on all continents. They will get worse in years to come. Our need to preserve access to space systems is therefore not a peripheral concern. It is serious business, more serious now than at any point before. And that reality demands, first of all, that we talk to one another more often, across agencies, across geopolitical divides, and second, that this house, the United Nations, gives space, the level of attention, and the priority that its importance to life on Earth now requires. And that brings me to my second point. COPUS, the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, and my office are addressing many of the different challenges associated with space sustainability. Collision avoidance in Earth orbit is being addressed through the Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness established last year. In September, my office launched the Satellite Operator Contact Hub. which you can find at soch.unosa.org, to facilitate access to points of contact for satellite operations. Deconflicting lunar missions is being addressed through a dedicated action team, and we have our annual conference in December. Dark and quiet skies and the interests of astronomers are being considered by the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, and we will have a workshop right before our lunar conference as well. We are even dealing with airspace integration as more launches disrupt aviation. We are doing that together with ICAO. And we are examining the environmental impact of space activities together with UNEP. So plenty of good work is progressing, and it is progressing well. But there is one topic that is not being addressed at all, and that is on-orbit servicing and active debris removal, ADR. Allow me to be clear, distinguished delegates: if governments are not willing to put limits on the number of satellites that may be launched into space, they must at least do their utmost to ensure maximum safety of satellites in space. That means, on the one hand, global space traffic coordination. COPUS is already doing that. But it also means solving for the problem of debris. not just mitigation, but remediation as well, and that needs to happen through COPUOS in Vienna, where security is firmly not part of our mandate. That distinction matters greatly to us, because we will not advance on space governance frameworks if delegates choose to see this topic purely through a security lens. Rendezvous and proximity operations and active debris removal are directly relevant both to the peaceful and sustainable use of space and for maintaining space security. A collision or a close approach in space always raises security concerns indeed, and this is precisely why we need greater international cooperation. For a couple of years now, I have been pushing for global alignment around guidelines for on-orbit servicing and active debris removal that maximize transparency, recognizing that this is a collective action problem. There are thousands of pieces of removable debris in space, yet we do not see governments systematically investing in these solutions, nor removing their dead objects in space. We also do not see sufficient private capabilities or initiatives emerging to address this problem at the rate and the pace that we need to control it. We need a procedure that is agreed at global level for actors to follow. Guidelines establish what responsible conduct looks like. We need to set out what information must be obtained and shared to enhance transparency. This will help reduce misperception and mistrust around this activity. With these procedures, we can help States to authorize commercial operators with confidence. Most importantly, however, we need to shift from seeing rendezvous and proximity operations and ADR as primarily a military capability and start realizing that they are literally the only way we can advance on cleaning up space. In other words, we need a shift in perception and a conscious step to legitimize debris remediation as a globally recognized activity. Only with this will we reduce investor uncertainty and encourage states to procure and authorize services consistently. The Japanese on-orbit servicing guidelines provide a valuable example that has served companies like Astroscale very well. They are pragmatic, and they call for disclosure of information. approvals and permissions from the client object to the host supplying the service, measures to prevent collision avoidance and cyber attacks, disclosure of operational plans, and so on. I'm closing, Mr. Chair. COPUS can and must support these developments, but as a Director, I can only encourage you, the Member States, to do so. Whether you will or not depends on Member States' leadership and a concrete proposal that the Committee should work on this topic. This isn't just about cleaning up space, given the volume of defunct objects in space, it's also a huge economic opportunity in the global space economy. This is a shared responsibility between industry, governments, and international organizations. The opportunity is for member states to translate responsibility into practical action within COPUS. Let me conclude by returning to where I began. The issues we have discussed today are reminders that sustainability and security in outer space are inseparable in practice, even when discussed in different forums. The risks of inaction are shared, and the responsibility must be as well. Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to bring this topic to your attention today.


1st Committee · Chair [24:27]:

I thank Ms. Hala Maini. The committee will hear next from Mr. Darren McKnight, Senior Technical Fellow for LEO Labs. Mr. McKnight, you have the floor now.


LeoLabs · Senior Technical Fellow [24:41]:

Chairs, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, thank you for the opportunity to bring some facts to this forum having to do with the state of the low-Earth orbit space environment. This data has come from our 12 radars located on three continents, five countries, eight time zones, where we assemble millions of observations on a real-time basis to provide this information. Right now in low Earth orbit, there's nearly 29,000 objects that we track on a daily basis. This comprises about 10 million kilograms of mass. Since 2020, the number of objects in low Earth orbit have doubled. The amount of mass has quadrupled, gone up by a factor of four, and the number of operational payloads has gone up by a factor of seven. This does not tell the whole story, however. The next chart. The space objects in low Earth environment are not evenly distributed about the 2,000 kilometers that we think about as low Earth orbit. Below 650 kilometers, we have 90% of the objects are operational payloads. Above 650 kilometers, about 90% of the objects are debris, whether they be fragments or non-operational payloads or abandoned rocket bodies. This provides a very important demarcation line about what's going on in low Earth orbit. Below 650 kilometers, a lot of interaction between operational payloads, drag will bring out debris very quickly. Above it, it's very long-lived. It's that long-lived debris that Ardi just talked about that's very important for us all to understand. Next, please. So there's several ways in which we have to look at interactions between objects in low-Earth orbit. First, space traffic coordination, number one on this table. Operational satellites that can manage their own risk have to communicate and cooperate with each other to manage that potential collision risk. Secondly, there's space safety. Operational payloads are at risk from debris. And when that's the case, that's when conjunction data messages that are provided by government and commercial SSA entities help them to manage that risk to avoid collisions with the derelict objects with operational. However, the most important thing that's really haunting us right now in low Earth orbit is the third category, intact derelict objects. rocket bodies, non-operational payloads, they cannot manage their own risk. They are in orbit for long periods of time, decades to centuries, and that provides, unfortunately, an opportunity for both the probability and the consequence, which together makes the risk to go up drastically. Before we focus in on that specific population, I want to take a quick diversion, and the next chart, please. to talk about space traffic coordination. When we say space traffic coordination, we normally are talking about constellations with constellations. Next, please. However, recently there was an interaction in low Earth orbit between Cosmos 2612, a Russian satellite, and ICEYE X36. And that interaction, one-on-one, without proper communication and coordination, provided an opportunity for us to see how important it is to have communication. These two satellites, the Russian one very active, stayed within 400 kilometers for five days of the IceEye spacecraft. And in the last six hour period, which is shown below there, they got easily within 500 meters, maybe even closer. Very important, one-on-one or a thousand on a thousand active payloads need to communicate and cooperate with each other. However, the key issue for today is the next chart. And the next chart we want to talk about is the distribution of objects, looking now at the mass density, where mass has been deposited. This is a plot showing what we call clusters. Constellations are groups of active payloads that can manage their own collision risk. Clusters are groupings centered about certain altitudes of dead objects, very massive, unable to control their own risk. And so what we have is, place this, go to the next build, please. What we have is a situation in three places in low Earth orbit, above 650 kilometers, we have an accumulation of rocket bodies and non-operational payloads that is providing a probability of collision by the year 2030 on the order of 5 to 50%. These events will not be minor. These events will not be 100 objects. Any of these events that were to occur will generate, as shown on this table, upwards of 4,000 to 8,000 trackable fragments. We are not now talking anymore about hypothetical in the next generation, we have a one million chance of a problem happening. We're talking now on our watch, events that are going to be significant. that are based upon decades of practices to say it's okay to leave massive derelicts in high Earth orbit, where they're going to linger for decades to centuries. Unfortunately, this is much like global warming. If we study, wait, and hope, The problem is going to get worse. What I hope you see here are the fact if you monitor and characterize, we can then help drive action. The next colleague speaking from Afterscale is talking about a solution to reduce the risk that has been caused by the global space operators as exhibited by these clusters shown here. I do want to highlight the last thing is in the top 50, we've worked on a couple of top 50 papers where we had delegates from individuals from China, Russia, US, Italy, France, UK, Japan pick out what are the top 50 objects that need to be removed. These objects are part of these clusters. It's a global issue. We've come up with some global characterization, and now I look forward to our next colleague talking about some global solutions to reduce this risk. Thank you for your time and your attention.


1st Committee · Chair [31:14]:

I thank Mr. McKnight for his very insightful and comprehensive presentations. The committee will now hear from Mr. Nick Saif, Managing Director of Astroscale UK. Mr. Niksaev, you have the floor now.


Astroscale UK · Managing Director [31:33]:

Thank you, Chair. Chairs, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, thank you for your invitation today. I'm honored to be here to address you, to explain some of the technological developments that are ongoing to address some of the issues that Dr. McKnight just outlined. AstroScale is a in-orbit servicing company. We were established in 2013 in Japan to address the space sustainability problem and not leave it as a problem for future generations. I think Dr. McKnight has outlined, particularly in the clusters of some of those areas of our near-Earth orbit, where there are problems that are brewing. So what we are doing is looking to see how we can remediate some of those issues. Next slide, please. So Japan, as RT Holler said earlier, has been working hard on this, and you can see that on the left-hand side. In 2021, they issued the on-orbit servicing guidelines, and that has formed an excellent framework for us to operate, and I would suggest for other member states to review to understand how that works. It provides transparency in spacecraft operations in orbit so that people, operators can understand what's going on. It defines keep-out zones, so you can't get too close to another object without an agreement to get close to that object. It requires single fault-tolerant systems built into the design of the ADR active debris removal mission. It requires data sharing with space situational awareness data, and it requires disposal, proper disposal of the spacecraft at the end of its life. So all of those sorts of things are really important to also mitigate debris going forward. In the US as well, in 2022, there was a new regulation that came in that required removal of objects at the end of their lives in five years, rather than the old 25-year guidelines. So that is a really good development as well. And then on the right-hand side, I'm from the UK and from my home country, the UK government have been pretty forward leaning on this, defining a plan for space sustainability, and more recently, on rendezvous proximity operations sandbox for regulations, which is a way for industry, government, the regulator to all work together and try to address some of the problems rather than standing back and waiting for each other. So that's been a really good exercise. Next slide, please. So given the urgent situation that we are in now, what I'd like to do is just explain a little bit more about the technology that's possible. So next slide, please. When you're building a spacecraft for rendezvous proximity operations or in-orbit servicing, you need to build a spacecraft in a way that can move around in orbit. It needs to be agile. It needs a lot of propulsion. It needs sensors on board to work out where it is and to characterize the other object that it's looking at approaching. So that's a slightly different design to, I would say, more traditional spacecraft, provide communications or Earth observation. Next slide, please. You then need to do a lot of work on trajectory design. This is about how you get closer to an object. You observe it carefully as you approach. You fail safe as required by the, for the example I gave in the Japanese on-orbit servicing guidelines. So if you do have a sense of failure or a problem, you back off and go back to a safe point, then go again to move towards approaching. so that you can then eventually capture the debris object and effectively tow it out of orbit. That's what we'd be doing. And then finally, the safety design, how we make sure it will fail safe. And we do millions of simulations in this area before we launch to make sure the system is going to be safe. Next slide, please. So a little bit more about rendezvous proximity operations. So there's a range of different stages of this. First of all, you observe the object using space situational awareness data. Then obviously define the launch. You have to usually need a very precise launch to get into the right orbit, the right inclination, and there's a lot of technological aspects here. And then you start to approach the object. And we have two different phases, far range and short range. Far range is tens of thousands of kilometers down to the sort of hundreds of kilometers, and then short range is to get to within about 100 kilometer, sorry, 100 meters from the object, apologies. Then you are into the P part of rendezvous proximity operations. You are then autonomously flying towards the object in question, maybe the debris object, be it a rocket body or a spent satellite. And then you do diagnosis, you work out how you're going to capture it, and then you might need to remove it or do other in-orbit servicing. There is a new area of in-orbit servicing coming for refueling of satellites, for example. Next slide, please. And I think you can think of the different objects that your satellite that you're approaching, the ADR mission, and the client spacecraft as cooperative, or next slide, please. non-cooperative. So a core cooperative situation is when you have the space station and maybe a capsule or something like that going up to dock with the space station. Both sides of the mission are talking to each other. Both have information about where they are. They may be using satellite navigation data. Non-cooperative is what you need to be able to do for an active debris removal mission. That's when you're not getting data from the debris object. It's dead if effectively. So you have to characterize it yourself with your own sensors, and that's quite a lot harder, probably an order of magnitude harder than cooperative. Next one, please. That just shows the complexity. What I wanted to show you here as well, this is not computer-generated. This is real video from a mission that we launched in 2024. And towards about September 2024, we orbited This three and a half tonne rocket body, it's a Japanese H2A rocket body. We now are building the spacecraft to go and remove that rocket body from orbit. So these are the sorts of objects that we do need to remove because they are high risk if they collide with other objects. Next slide, please. So our next couple of missions, one is being built in the UK at the moment. It's called ELSA-M, that's gonna remove a LEO spacecraft of 150 kilograms, and then the one I've just mentioned as well, Adras J2, will remove that three and a half tonne rocket body. So we are starting to take this very seriously now, and we have the technology to do these types of missions. Final slide. And we, this, I just wanted to leave this up at the end. I think we don't want to leave this for future generations. We need to solve the problem now. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [39:32]:

I thank Mr. Seif for his wonderful presentation. On behalf of all the delegations, I would like to thank our distinguished panelists for their very insightful, comprehensive, and thought-provoking statements today. Before we open the floor for the national statements, I invite all the Member States to engage in an interactive dialogue with our distinguished panelists. Delegations wishing to take the floor in this interactive segment can do so by pressing their microphone button now. The floor is open for comments and questions on the presentations we have just heard. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of China.


China [40:32]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Chinese delegation thanks the chairs of the First Committee and the Fourth Committee for convening this meeting. Just now, I've listened attentively to the briefings by the panellists. I've noted that Mr. Attal, in his statement, pointed out that the organization of outer space and the turning of outer space into a domain of conflict. And the other panelists have briefed us the work undertaken in addressing the collision and ADR. I've also noted that these activities are undertaken by governments, I have a question for Mr. Adi. Currently, given the weaponization of outer space and arms race in outer space, there is a severe lack of trust among countries, and there is a problem related to the fragmentation of global space governance. How can we address these issues? and encourage countries and companies to work together to address the issue of space debris. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [42:11]:

I thank the distinguished representative of China. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mexico.


Mexico [42:22]:

We would like to thank the panelists for their valuable presentations. I would like to make the following comments on this topic. For Mexico, this joint dialogue between the First and Fourth Committees is an opportunity to reaffirm that space security and cooperation for the peaceful uses of outer space are inseparable, indivisible goals. The Treaty on Outer Space of 1967 establishes that its exploration and use should be carried out for the benefit of all countries independently of their level of development. Preserving this principle requires strengthening international cooperation, exchange of information, and capacity building, as well as ensuring the participation of all states in discussion on space security. We are concerned about growing strategic tensions and the possible placement of weapons in space. This could trigger an arms race that compromises the peaceful use of space and the benefits it offers to all of humankind. In this context, transparency building and confidence-building measures and risk reduction are important. However, they should not substitute efforts to develop legally binding instruments that prevent an arms race and prohibit the placement of weapons in outer space. Given the persistent lack of substantive progress in the Conference on Disarmament, we consider relevant to explore the forms and modalities that are most appropriate to advance on these objectives, without, of course, prejudging the process that States can agree on in a multilateral context. With this in mind, we reiterate our support for the open-ended working group on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, Paros, as a forum to identify convergences and bridge positions among those who favor voluntary measures and those who promote legally binding instruments. Thank you very much.


1st Committee · Chair [44:28]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Mexico. I would like to remind the delegation that we are currently in the segment of the questions and answers with the panelists. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United States, to be followed by Pakistan.


United States of America [44:48]:

Thank you, Chair. Rendezvous and proximity operations are central to both international security and the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. They sit squarely at the intersection of this joint meeting's work, as the presentations have shown today. My question is for Mr. Nick Shave, Managing Director of Astroscale UK. Through the Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations, or CONFSRS, industry has developed voluntary safety guidelines for these operations. What lessons from that work could help member states gathered here today build shared expectations for safe and responsible behavior in space? Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [45:36]:

I thank the distinguished representative of the United States. Now I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Pakistan.


Pakistan [45:44]:

Thank you, Chair. Good morning to all colleagues. I wish to thank the panelists for their very insightful remarks today and wish to highlight that Pakistan welcomes this joint panel. Security and sustainability are two faces of one objective: keeping outer space a peaceful domain and open to all and used for the benefit of all. For this, we welcome the discussions in Vienna, Geneva, New York, which must reinforce one another and not duplicate each other. I would just request some thoughts by the Director of UNOOSA, Ms. Aarti Holamaini, on how she is looking towards this conversation that we are having at the moment about maintaining the peaceful ambit of outer space, especially with recent developments that have come up. security might be important, but how do we keep ensuring that the work of COPUS remains more relevant than ever, and how can we work, all delegations work together in building towards this objective? Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [46:45]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Pakistan. I see no further request for the floor for questions or comments to the panelists. Now I will give the floor to our distinguished panelists to respond to the comments and questions raised. I ask them to limit their response to two minutes, including any final reflections they might have. I first give the floor to Mr. Adedeji Igbow.


UNODA · Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs [47:22]:

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and thanks to the distinguished delegate from China for his question, which I will respond to in two ways. More directly, I think we are in a good place in terms of addressing the issue of fragmentation of approaches, certainly better than we used to be. Now the legally binding and non-legally binding approaches have come together under the decision that I mentioned, 79/512. So now we have a common platform, as I said in my presentation, for addressing issues related to space governance. So we are not there yet, but I think that common platform is encouraging. But my second response is the more political one, and I think there my colleague RT actually responded to your question when she said that, well, we are just bureaucrats. It's up to you, the member states, and therefore we can only go at the speed of the member states. So the issue of trust, the issue of universality, the issue of solidarity, is what underpins. So whether it is space governance, whether it is AI governance, these are all reflections of the state of relations between and amongst you. You know, I'm a village man. They say that the back leg of the horse, no matter how fast it wants to run, cannot run faster than the front leg of the horse. So that's my political response to your question. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [49:39]:

Thank you, Mr. Igbu. Now I give the floor to Ms. Hola Maini to respond to the questions raised and comments made from the floor.


UNOOSA · Director [49:49]:

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Responding to the question concerning how COPUS can continue to advance and remain useful in its work, the challenge for us as an office is really to keep member states conscious of the fact that to harm another object in space is to harm yourself. We have so many Member States who all have assets in space, whether it's more assets or less assets, it doesn't matter. What they are used for is neither here nor there when you think of space safety. We do not want any objects in space to collide with one another. So we will continue to encourage you to focus squarely on your operational imperative of keeping your object and all other objects in space safe. And UNOOSA will continue to facilitate informal dialogues around the Committee, bringing experts where appropriate to advance those conversations. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [50:53]:

I thank Ms. Holamaini. Now I invite Mr. McKnight to respond to the questions raised and comments made.


LeoLabs · Senior Technical Fellow [51:04]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, delegates, for your questions. I'm going to answer all of the questions in one response. There are two things we need to do. Communicate and do not leave objects on orbit that we cannot manage their risk. And those two come together very closely, very tightly. Cosmos 2612 is a very recent example where there was no communication and the actions, we might imply intent incorrectly. A communication about why that those maneuvers were taking place would help us build trust to know that there was an ill intent. Further, the second one won't leave objects that you can't manage the risk on. The global space economy is growing quickly. The constellations in low Earth orbit are very important to the economy of all the countries in this room. If we have constellations going to high LEO above 650 kilometers, When you deposit those satellites and there are rocket bodies left there, those are gonna be around for hundreds of years. We, again, communication would allow us to understand intent. Is the intent of those rocket bodies being left that they will be removed later? Is the intent those rocket bodies will use for another application? All those communications, I believe, would help us make sure that we build trust. During this very, very important time when there are more operational satellites and more derelict objects, we need to know why we're doing these things and share that with each other. I know that's a little bit naive of me to think that, but I think if we can talk and communicate, we will then cooperate, we will then collaborate, and we will be successful together. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [52:53]:

I thank Mr. McKnight for his response. Now I invite Mr. Saif of AstraSkyl of UK and to respond to the questions raised and comments made from the floor.


Astroscale UK · Managing Director [53:06]:

Thank you, Chair. I think I was planning to answer the question from the distinguished delegate from the United States because he addressed specifically me on that point. I fully agree with you that RPO is essential for both space security and sustainability of our near-Earth orbits, but through that as well, it is becoming much more important for our economies as well because of the impact potentially on the space infrastructure in orbit that we rely on so much now as humanity. In terms of the CONFERS question as well, which is a organization that was established around about 15 years ago, I believe, it has been very useful. There's a large number of private companies, as well as some national representatives and regulators who follow those activities. So it has been very good. It's enabled us to learn together and share best practice between different companies. It's enabling standards to be developed, which is an excellent development as well. We need standards for how we dock with spacecraft, for example, in orbit, and many other things. But it isn't providing, I would argue, the more formal sort of regulatory aspects that we need member states and nations to to take on, and that's where I think we do need to really push forward on a coordinated way of servicing guidelines. That's really what we need, because when you're doing an ADR mission, you're never, it's hardly ever going to be the same nation, perhaps. You might have a different regulator from one nation. and an ADR mission from a different nation, and then you've launched from a different state as well. So all of those complexities require us to have that international coordination. Thank you.


1st Committee · Chair [55:09]:

I thank Mr. Seif for his response. Distinguished delegates, we have just come to the conclusions of this excellent panel discussions and interactive segment of this joint meeting of the First and Fourth Committees. on possible challenges to space security and sustainability. I will now hand over to my fellow co-chair, the Chair of the Fourth Committee, His Excellency Mr. Kolasek, to preside over the rest of our proceedings this morning.


4th Committee · Chair [55:43]:

I thank my esteemed co-chair. It is my pleasure to preside over the second part of our meeting today. In accordance with the programme, we will now proceed to hear national statements. There will be no established list of speakers, and delegations wishing to take the floor are invited to press their microphone button. Due to limited time available, delegations are requested to keep their interventions concise and limited to no longer than five minutes, in line with the past practice of the joint panels as decided. Delegations are encouraged to deliver summarized interventions and submit full statements to estatements@un.org. The floor is now open for national statements. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of China.


China [56:40]:

Mr. Chair, I’d like to thank again the convening of this meeting and thank all the panellists for their presentations. At present, global governance of outer space stands at a critical crossroads. Competition for space resources is intensifying. While the technological divide in the space sector continues to widen, the rights of all countries to participate equally in outer space activities and share the benefits of outer space are not adequately safeguarded. The risks of the The weaponization of outer space and arms race in outer space are rising markedly. A certain country is seeking to dominate outer space, accelerating military buildups and preparations for combat in outer space and openly deploying weapons there, which seriously undermines the stability and lasting peace in outer space. The current international space law and relevant rules are lagging behind. Fragmentation and deficits in global space governance have become increasingly prominent. Recently, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced China's position on strengthening outer space governance at the Global Governance Forum held in Xun'an, setting out constructive approaches to issues of common concern to the international community and contributing Chinese wisdom to advancing a just and equitable outer space governance system and fostering a community with a shared future for humanity in outer space. The relevant document will be circulated as an official document of the General Assembly. I wish to take this opportunity to highlight China's core propositions on development. China advocates safeguarding the right of all countries to have equitable access to outer space and to explore and use outer space free from discrimination, while ensuring that the benefits of space exploration are shared by all humanity. We attach importance to the needs of developing countries, strengthen international exchanges and cooperation, and oppose discriminatory policies and barriers. While encouraging the development of the space economy, we should also regulate commercial space activities. On security. China firmly opposes the weaponization of outer space or turning it into a new theater of conflict. We oppose offensive military policies in outer space and advocate for the conclusion of international legal instrument on arms control in outer space with a view to preventing arms race in outer space by all possible means and averting armed conflict in outer space. We also encourage all countries to strengthen dialogue, communication, and necessary information sharing and step up crisis prevention and management. On governance, China advocates extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits by all countries, upholds the UN as the main channel of global governance in outer space, encourages other multilateral mechanisms and specialized agencies to play a constructive role within their respective mandates. We also support support enhancing the representation and voice of developing countries, and promoting the establishment of an open, equitable, and effective governance mechanism based on broad participation. China stands ready to continue engaging in exchanges and dialogue with all parties in an open and constructive spirit, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and ensure that the benefits of outer space development better serve all humanity. Thank you, Chair.


4th Committee · Chair [1:00:27]:

I thank the distinguished representative of China and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Senegal.


Senegal [1:00:36]:

Thank you, Chair. Chairs of the First and Fourth Committees, Chair, Senegal thanks you for convening this meeting and UNOOSA and also representatives of Astrocal and Leo Labs for their instructive presentations. We welcome this joint roundtable that reminds us that the peaceful use of outer space and prevention of its militarization are two complementary goals of equal importance for achieving the ideals of Paris. In the context of growing dependence on spatial technology, both for security and development, it is worrying to note that divergences prevent us from moving forward in the work of the First and Fourth Committees. In this context, my delegation wishes to highlight three points. Firstly, space is a common good of humanity. It is collectively owned, and this should not be undermined. Like other developing countries, Senegal is developing space capacity with a view to developing systems that will support its development. effort will be spared to ensure its universalization so that we can develop civil applications in the area of communications, earth observation systems, satellite navigation, healthcare, education, protection of the environment, and monitoring and surveillance, as well as the preservation of natural resources. Secondly, in the context of the current geopolitical climate, we must urgently move beyond the divergences so that we can prevent an arms race in outer space. Senegal's position is quite simple. Binding legal instruments and non-binding voluntary norms that constitute the existing framework do not in any way exclude negotiations about new legally binding instruments in order to guarantee the peaceful nature of operations. We reaffirm the applicability of the current legal framework in the absence of such an agreement. There is an urgent need to take measures of transparency and risk mitigation in order to strengthen the confidence and trust between states. Finally, the importance of multilateral cooperation in order to overcome the challenges linked to outer space and in order to favor space exploration and its peaceful uses. is urgent, and we call for a more structured dialogue on national space programs developed by states and on the means to strengthen civilian applications of space technologies. Chair, the new threats are appearing in space, whereas room for dialogue and cooperation seems to be shrinking. The gap is growing both in terms of space technologies and in terms of multilateral dialogue. We must flip this trend. so that we can ensure development for all. I thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [1:03:43]:

I thank you, distinguished representative of Senegal, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Chile.


Chile [1:03:54]:

Thank you, Chair. We are grateful to you for convening this joint discussion of the First and Fourth Committees in order to address the potential challenges in terms of security and sustainability of outer space. Thank you, Chile. The work of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and the discussions on how to prevent an arms race in outer space, while they represent different functions, they are totally complementary. As regards the first and the placement of weapons in outer space, Chile promotes the peaceful use of outer space. and we support the prevention of an arms race in this area. My country believes that the norms of responsible state behavior and the legally binding instruments should advance together. The first can generate trust and reduce risks. but this should not exclude verifiable, compulsory or binding agreements. This is why the open-ended working group should not limit itself to reiterating the prohibition already expressed in the Treaty on Outer Space. It is necessary to move towards an obligation that allows us to distinguish between legitimate space activities and capacities aimed at producing hostile effects in space. This distinction should protect space security without affecting the rights of all states to explore and peacefully use outer space. As regards the work of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space, Chile believes that States with greater technological capacity should take on a proactive role in cooperation and knowledge transfer. In this same vein, the geographical characteristics of our Atacama Desert offer great opportunities for scientific research and for technological experimentation. Similarly, our National Space Center that was inaugurated in December 2025 represents a major step forward in terms of strengthening our capacities in the area of satellite integration, mission control, and geospatial information processing. This initiative reflects Chile's commitment to scientific and technological development and to generate opportunities for cooperation, especially with countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Chairs, Chile gives special importance to the protection of darkness and silence, which is fundamental for astronomical observation and for advancing scientific knowledge. In this regard, we highlight the need to preserve the conditions that make astronomical research from Earth possible and promoting development of space activities. We also want to highlight that in this year, Santiago will be hosting two major meetings, the Americas Space Forum, organized by Global Forum on ICTAC on the 13th of November, and a technical assistance meeting on space sustainability for Latin America and the Caribbean. This was organized by the UN, USA, together with ECLAC from the 2nd to 4th of December. Thank you very much, Chair.


4th Committee · Chair [1:07:46]:

I thank the distinguished representative of Chile, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation.


Russian Federation [1:07:56]:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are grateful for convening a joint meeting of the First and Fourth Committee on such an important topic for international security. The Russian Federation has consistently and categorically rejects attempts to turn space into an arena of armed confrontation. Placing arms or developing doctrines to use arms in space could lead to unpredictable consequences, including the start of a new arms race involving space-based capabilities. Meanwhile, certain countries, first and foremost the United States, only state that the goal of their space policy is to achieve military superiority in orbit. In their recent statement, American officials publicly confirmed the fact that this country has military potential of orbital base. Basically, the U.S. has declared the space one another operational theater. Military structures are being developed for space operations. There's a path towards placing weapons in space, including offensive weapons. Washington, in pursuit of its narrow self-interest, is prepared to completely ignore the catastrophic consequences for all of humanity that any armed conflict in orbit would have. This jeopardizes the long-term sustainability of space activities and prospects for space exploration by all States. This creates enormous risks for various socio-economic processes on Earth, upon which people's well-being directly depends. It seems that is how exactly the West sees responsible behavior. Russia has consistently drawn the international community's attention to the grave consequences for international security resulting from Washington's destructive course. We emphasize the need to take urgent practical measures to prevent an arms race in outer space. We're convinced that we can deal with this only by developing a legally binding instrument that prohibits the placing of arms in outer space, the use of force or the threat of the force against space objects. Voluntary measures cannot provide a response to the challenges with regard to space security. Russia has submitted a draft resolution in the First Committee on future steps, non-placement of weapons in space and transparency and confidence-building measures in space. We hope that they will be broadly supported and other countries will join as co-sponsors. It’s more relevant than ever. We also want to underscore the very dangerous trend of the use by the West of large constellations of space objects and also the deployment of near-earth space mega constellations of commercial civil space, their use for undeclared purposes and or improper application of relevant space technologies and technical means. The use of such constellations for military purposes represents a serious threat for the peaceful use of near-earth Very socioeconomic processes on Earth are in danger, on which billions of people depend, especially in developing countries. This undermines the basis for a long-term space activity and cooperation, but our American colleagues clearly are not bothered by this. We're convinced that such an adventurous policy is unacceptable. It jeopardizes joint efforts of the majority of world's nations to ensure the exclusively peaceful use of space technologies to achieve the goals of accelerated socio-economic development for the benefit of all peoples of the world. The updated draft, Russian draft, on space science and technology for promoting peace is intended to highlight this issue. We invite interested delegations to take a principled stand by ensuring the adoption of this document during the current session of the UN General Assembly. The full version of the statement will be posted on the electronic platform. Thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [1:12:22]:

Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.


Indonesia [1:12:30]:

Chairs. Indonesia welcomes the convening of this joint panel discussion. We thank the co-chairs, the Office for Disarmament Affairs, and the Office for Outer Space Affairs for bringing us together. We also thank the panelists for their valuable insights and updates. This discussion comes at a critical time as outer space becomes increasingly important to our daily lives. Our collective responsibility to keep it peaceful, safe, and sustainable is greater than ever. For Indonesia, as an archipelagic country, Space-based technologies support connectivity, maritime safety, environmental monitoring, and disaster management. Yet, the growing number and diversity of space activities also bring challenges. Space debris, orbital congestion, and the risk of an arms race could undermine the benefits of outer space for everyone. These developments underline the growing connection between the peaceful uses of outer space and the prevention of an arms race in outer space. Threats to space security can affect civilian space systems and the services that depend on them. In turn, efforts to ensure the safe and sustainable conduct of space activities can contribute to transparency, confidence, and stability. Indonesia therefore sees an urgent need for more substantive dialogue and cooperation across the relevant UN bodies. This UN panel offers an opportunity to identify shared challenges and areas of cooperation, while respecting the respective mandates of the First and Fourth Committees, COPUOS, and relevant disarmament forums. But it should also be a starting point for a more sustained exchange. As the connection between space security and the peaceful uses of outer space grow, so too does the need for closer coordination and a more coherent approach to the challenges before us. Chairs, We recognize that States may have different perspectives on how best to address these challenges. Bridging these differences will require sustained dialogue and political will. At the same time, we must ensure that these differences do not come at the expense of the common good, as access to space technologies and their benefits is essential to addressing pressing development needs. Our discussions on security and sustainability must therefore also advance equitable access, capacity building, technical assistance and knowledge sharing. A sustainable future in outer space must be one in which all countries can participate and benefit. Indonesia stands ready to work with all delegations towards this shared goal. I thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [1:15:09]:

I thank you, and I give the floor to the delegation representative of Philippines.


Philippines [1:15:18]:

Thank you, Chair, thank you, co-chairs, and thank you too to the panelists for their presentation this morning. I'll deliver an abridged statement. Our full statement will be published in the UN journal. Outer space is the common province of humankind. To ensure the exclusive, peaceful nature of space for the benefit of all peoples for generations to come, we must advance space security and sustainability side by side. The Space 2030 Agenda recognizes the vital role of space in the advancement of the SDGs, disaster risk reduction, and climate action. For the Philippines, satellites provide critical telecommunications, navigation, and meteorological services, while Earth observation and remote sensing support disaster management, agriculture, health, maritime navigation, infrastructure, and environmental applications. Nevertheless, challenges, unprecedented challenges remain, namely, unequal access to space, science, and technology, and an imminent scramble for space resources risk leaving developing countries behind. We are inching towards weaponization and an arms race in outer space, including through security doctrines and rhetoric that consider space as a theater of conflict. as well as testing and use of anti-satellite weapons and other counter-space capabilities, compounded by advancements in AI, ICT, and missile capabilities. And orbital debris congestion threatens space objects, while falling space debris endanger life, infrastructure, and maritime shipping. Mr. Chair, co-chairs, the path forward is clear. Firstly, developing countries need equal access to space technologies, data applications, and resources, especially nascent and emerging space-faring nations. Secondly, the prevention of an arms race in outer space, or PAROS. We urge the development of both a legally binding instrument on PAROS, as well as normative frameworks on reducing space threats and promoting transparency and confidence building. Thirdly, we need to coordinate space traffic management and measures to mitigate space debris, including falling space debris. We reiterate the importance of advance, proper, and adequate notification of space vehicle launches, as well as uncontrolled re-entries, especially to states located along drop zones of falling space debris. Fourthly, we stress the importance of adherence to international law, especially the Outer Space Treaty. Space treaties must also be supplemented and reinforced by norms, rules, and principles of responsible behaviors. We also reaffirm our support for the open-ended working group on Paros and the working group on the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. In conclusion, co-chairs. To preserve space as the province of humankind, we must be guided by the principles of cooperation, inclusivity, and equity, non-appropriation, and due regard for the interests of all. Thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [1:18:35]:

I thank you, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Pakistan.


Pakistan [1:18:44]:

Thank you, Chair. Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful, sustainable, and equitable use of outer space, in line with the principles enshrined in the Outer Space Treaty. As a State Party to all five UN space treaties, including the Moon Agreement, we uphold that outer space is the common heritage of humankind. It must remain free from national appropriation and, most importantly, remain fully accessible to developing countries to advance their socio-economic development. Pakistan welcomes this joint panel. today. Security and sustainability are two faces of one objective: keeping outer space a peaceful domain, open to all and used for the benefit of all. Discussions in Vienna, Geneva and New York must reinforce one another, not duplicate each other. On security, the central challenge remains a legal gap. The Outer Space Treaty prohibits weapons of mass destruction in orbit, but not other weapons. Weapons in orbit have officially been acknowledged, while anti-satellite directed energy and other non-kinetic capabilities continue to proliferate. The window to prevent weaponization has narrowed, but it has not closed. This is why we must act now, before deployments harden into facts no instrument can reverse. 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. On sustainability, mega-constellations and growing debris are congesting this lower Earth orbit. They have also raised collision risk and threaten to crowd out the future space programs of developing countries. On this, we support the implementation of the long-term sustainability and space debris mitigation guidelines and welcome the new expert group on space situational awareness in COPUS. COPUS must also overcome the divisions that have prevented consensus on its reports, including those referencing developing countries. Pakistan supports negotiating a legally binding instrument on PAROS in the Conference on Disarmament. As president of its final part this year, Pakistan convened thematic discussions on PAROS. Transparency and confidence-building measures and voluntary guidelines are valuable, but they complement binding obligations and cannot replace them. Pakistan remains a consistent proponent on the prevention of arms race in outer space, and we have opposed the weaponization of space in all its manifestations. including debris-generating anti-satellite tests, which pose grave risks to the safety, security, and sustainability of space activities. We reiterate our call for negotiations on legally binding instruments to prevent an arms race in outer space. J. Equity should be central to our discourse. There should not be discriminatory restrictions on access to space technology for peaceful purposes, and UNOOSA's capacity building should be strengthened. Pakistan is proud to be part of the Space for All initiative, and Pakistan's own space program reflects this vision. We launched our first indigenously built electro-optical satellite, PRSC EO-1, in 2025, deployed the iQube Kamal lunar CubeSat in 2024, and established the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board to ensure responsible, regulated activity. As co-chair of the COPUS's Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultations, ATLAC, Pakistan is helping shape recommendations for the governance of lunar activities so that rules for the next frontier are made by all and not by a few. Being actively engaged in both Geneva and Vienna, Pakistan will continue to serve as the bridge between security and the sustainability tracks. I thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [1:22:48]:

I thank you. And now calling the 10th representative of Nepal.


Nepal [1:22:56]:

Thank you. Thank you, Chairs. Nepal welcomes the convening of this timely joint panel discussion and thanks the distinguished panelists for their valuable insights. Outer space has become increasingly important for international peace, security, and sustainable development. Advances in space technologies have expanded opportunities for scientific progress, connectivity, and socioeconomic development. However, growing strategy competition, emerging risks, Security risks and increasingly complex space operations present new challenges to space security and sustainability. These challenges underscore the urgency for strengthened international cooperation and collective actions. Cheers. Nepal reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful exploration and use of outer space for the benefit of all humanity. We underscore the importance of the United Nations Charter, Outer Space Treaty of 1967, and relevant international law as the fundamental framework in governing outer space activities. The growing militarization of outer space, development of counter-space capabilities, and dual-use nature of emerging space technologies raise serious concerns for international security and the continuity of peaceful space activities. Nepal reiterates its long-standing support for the prevention of an arms race in outer space. We welcome the deliberations of the Open-ended Working Group on PAROS in all its aspects and encourage progress towards consensus-based recommendations. Nepal supports efforts towards a legally binding and verifiable instrument on PAROS. complemented by norms of responsible behavior and transparency and confidence-building measures. Such measures are essential to reducing mistrust, miscalculation, and the risk of conflict. Cheers. Space security and long-term sustainability are mutually reinforcing objectives. Increasing orbital congestion, collision risk, and potential interference with space-based infrastructure threaten the safety and continuity of space operations. Nepal underscored the effective implementation of the guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, alongside enhanced information sharing and space situational awareness. For developing countries, particularly least developed and landlocked developing countries, disruption of space-based services could adversely affect disaster preparedness, climate monitoring, connectivity, and sustainable development. We therefore emphasize equitable access to peaceful space applications, supported by international cooperation, technical assistance, and capacity building. Cheers. Space security and sustainability are shared responsibilities. Progress in one must reinforce rather than undermine the other. Nepal remains committed to strengthening multilateral cooperation to preserve outer space as a peaceful, secure, and sustainable domain for present and future generations. I thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [1:25:53]:

I thank you, and I give the floor to the European Union.


EU · EU [1:26:02]:

Distinguished Co-Chairs, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The EU reiterates its statements delivered during the current UNGA session in cluster 3 of First Committee, as well as in the space segment of the Fourth Committee. Outer space has witnessed a surge in security challenges over recent years, with threats and perceived threats multiplying, compromising not only the long-term sustainability of the space environment, but also the level of trust among space actors. This risks the safe and secure delivery of essential services vital for the functioning of today's societies and for progress on a number of crucial global issues. We reaffirm the applicability of international law, including international humanitarian law, to outer space. including the United Nations Charter and the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, and other relevant UN treaties on outer space, as well as non-legally binding instruments developed in or endorsed by the UN, as well as consensual principles developed in UN framework. We encourage all states to ratify the Outer Space Treaty and fully implement all of its provisions. 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 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 space safety, as well as pursuit and harassment of other satellites. Such conduct raises serious concerns regarding both the safety and security of outer space. We remain concerned about ambiguous, unfriendly, or hostile activities in outer space with potentially escalatory developments, including destructive direct ascent anti-satellite missile tests. We welcome the commitments as a norm of responsible behavior made so far by almost 40 UN member states, including all EU member states, not to conduct destructive direct ascent anti-satellite missile tests. We encourage all states to make such commitment. COPUOS and its subcommittees As stated by UNOSA, 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. Chair, we remain committed to the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects. The goal of PAROS is achievable through a combination of legally binding and non-legally binding measures. We believe that developing norms, rules, and principles of responsible behaviors is the most pragmatic way forward to make progress on PAROS and improve space security. The development of non-legally binding measures does not preclude future negotiations on legally binding instruments where appropriate. Any legally binding framework for space security must be effective and verifiable, and should aim to cover all relevant threats. The open-ended working group on PAROS, in all its aspects, offers an opportunity to build a new common understanding on what the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects means in the 21st century and to address security threats in outer space. We welcome the active discussions contributing to better understanding of different positions, as well as more convergence of views on some issues. We consider it important to continue to discuss threat perceptions and further steps to enhance space security in a balanced, comprehensive, and inclusive manner. Chair, both First Committee and Fourth Committee has developed a considerable track record and institutional memory of their field. While addressing increasing synergies between the two space agendas, In any framework, we also consider it important to preserve respective expertise and to keep compartmentalizing possible contentious issues. In this context, we reject attempts to impose divisive or unsubstantiated agenda onto the Fourth Committee. I thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [1:30:40]:

I thank you, and I give the floor to El Salvador.


El Salvador [1:30:49]:

Chair, persons, distinguished delegates, allow me to start by thanking you for holding this joint round table to address challenges related to the security and sustainability of activities in outer space. El Salvador recognized the importance of this dialogue between the First and Fourth Committee that makes it possible to address in a complementary way the international security dimensions and the peaceful use of outer space. Space activities are fundamental for the functioning of our societies. Communications, navigations, also meteorological forecasts, response to natural disasters, all these are some of the essential services that depend on the over 15,000 satellites that are orbiting around our planet. This figure has doubled since the last time that this dialogue, joint dialogue, was held. It reflects our growing dependence on space infrastructure. However, this dependence is also accompanied by growing strategic competition in outer space. We observe with concern the increase in electronic interferences against space systems, as well as the continued development of capacities that could damage, render inoperable, or destroy satellites. In this context, Salvador reaffirms the importance of preventing an arms race in outer space and to strengthen existing multilateral mechanisms. We welcome the work of the Open-ended Working Group on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space, PARIS. Its mandate makes it possible to address both legally binding and non-legally binding measures to achieve this goal. We consider that this group is currently a fundamental forum to promote dialogue and develop common understandings. This is why we want to make an appeal to avoid procedural disputes and avoid parallel processes that could fragment multilateral efforts or complicate the achievement of substantive results. In parallel, we acknowledge the fundamental role of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, COPUOS, in promoting long-term security and sustainability of space activities. Growing accumulation of space debris and the risk of collisions raise important environmental and operational challenges. This is why we'd like to underscore the importance of strengthening mitigation measures and measures to remove space debris, as well as promote the implementation of existing guidelines on long-term sustainability. Chairpersons, in our intervention during the joint meeting of 2024, Salvador highlighted the challenges related to emerging technologies, particularly operations of rendezvous and proximity of satellites and services in orbit. We recognize that these technologies offer important opportunities to extend the useful life of satellites, conduct maintenance operations, and contribute to the removal of space debris. However, Their dual-use nature also represents risks for international security, especially when certain maneuvers could be interpreted as hostile and they could create erroneous perceptions or an unintentional escalation of tensions. These challenges take on a new dimension, given the growing incorporation of AI systems and autonomous capabilities in space operations. This is why we believe it's relevant to reflect on how to ensure sufficient levels of human responsibility and supervision in decisions that could affect the security of space objects, in particular when autonomous technologies intervene in rendezvous and proximity maneuvers. These efforts must be advanced in parallel with transparency and confidence-building measures, recognizing that there are multilateral responses that require adapting to new risks without limiting opportunities for cooperation and development. Lastly, El Salvador would like to highlight that the security and sustainability of outer space represents a shared responsibility. Thank you very much.


4th Committee · Chair [1:35:21]:

Thank you. I now give the floor to Zimbabwe.


Zimbabwe [1:35:28]:

Thank you, Chair. My delegation welcomes this joint briefing on outer space convened by the First and Fourth Committees, and we appreciate the insightful presentations delivered by the distinguished panellists. We wish to take this opportunity to call upon all players in the outer space sector, both public and private, to provide the necessary capacity-building support, training, and transfer of technology to widen universal access to the benefits of outer space, which is the common heritage of all humankind. We appreciate the efforts of those States and private sector players that are already doing so. Chair, The Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency was operationalized in 2023, and has the mandate of advancing space science and technology within the nation and beyond, with a resolute commitment to promoting the peaceful uses of outer space, with its initiatives including geospatial science, Earth observation, space engineering, and beyond. We will now make specific reference to four points contained in the African Union's African Space Strategy as areas that should be given the necessary support, especially by those public and private players with enhanced space capabilities, assets, and research and academic institutions. Firstly, to leverage Africa's strategic location to attract mega science projects in astronomy and space physics, and support the building of critical scientific infrastructure, which will also be used to develop the cohort of skills and expertise required to service the various scientific disciplines. Secondly, to establish human capacity development programs that attract the young student population into a post-graduate pipeline that primarily serves the requirements of the space sector. Thirdly, to develop a robust public awareness campaign that targets and solicits the support of all sectors of society for the benefits of space science and technology and its potential to foster economic growth and address societal challenges, especially the needs of rural communities. Fourthly, to use international partnerships and the diaspora to build local skills and expertise and to support the co-development of space platforms, products, and services, providing employment opportunities that will minimize the loss of skills. Chair, let me conclude by reiterating Zimbabwe's call for the promotion of international cooperation in space science and technology. to ensure that outer space is used exclusively for peaceful purposes and sustainable development for all. I thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [1:38:38]:

Thank you. I now give the floor to Slovenia.


Slovenia [1:38:44]:

Thank you, Chair. Slovenia aligns with the statement by the European Union and wishes to deliver some additional remarks in our national capacity today. Slovenia firmly believes that global challenges require global solutions and that international cooperation is essential to ensuring safe and sustainable use of outer space. The First and Fourth Committees have each developed substantial expertise in their respective fields. As synergies between the agenda grow, Slovenia emphasizes complementarity among relevant United Nations processes while respecting their distinct mandates and avoiding unnecessary duplication. Firstly, today's discussion provides us with an opportunity to reemphasize the importance of COPUOS, its subcommittees, and UNOSA, of course. They are the central multilateral fora for dialogue and international cooperation on outer space affairs. We remain committed to constructive dialogue in the Vienna spirit. Slovenia commends Ambassador Cospito and the Italian chairmanship for their efforts to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of COPUOS and to promote consensus. As my country holds the first Vice Chairmanship for 2026-2027, Slovenia is honoured to contribute actively to the Committee's work and remains committed to promoting peaceful, inclusive, and responsible uses of outer space. We believe that addressing the most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities in the space sector must remain a priority. While there is always room to improve our working methods, the inclusive and consensus-based nature of COPUOS remains essential to developing outcomes that are legitimate, broadly supported, and effective. Secondly, space sustainability and space situational awareness remain among our key priorities. The growing number of space objects and the accumulation of space debris pose increasing challenges to the long-term sustainability of space activities. Slovenia emphasizes the importance of preventing collision, improving monitoring capabilities, sharing relevant information, and strengthening transparency and confidence-building measures. we implemented guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities in our national space law. Furthermore, and in this regard, Slovenia condemns unjustified threatening and reckless rendezvous and proximity operations, including harassment by near-European satellites in outer space. Thirdly, space technologists must deliver tangible benefits for society. Space-based data and services make an important contribution to addressing global challenges, including climate change, disaster risk reduction, food security, environmental protection, and sustainable resource management. For Slovenia, as an emerging space nation, translating these capabilities into practical societal benefits remains a central policy objective. In particular, satellite-based services should be increasingly integrated into disaster preparedness, response, and recovery systems. Combining satellite data with aerial imagery, unmanned aerial systems, and ground-based operations can improve situational awareness and support more timely and effective decision-making. Finally, Slovenia remains committed to being a responsible and constructive partner in the international space community. We support capacity building, knowledge sharing, and broad participation in space activities. We believe that sustained international cooperation, mutual trust, and consensus-based decision-making are indispensable to preserving outer space for peaceful purposes and ensuring that its benefits remain accessible to present and future generations. We translated these ambitions in our National Space Strategy 2030, serving as the guidelines for our national activities in space.


4th Committee · Chair [1:43:04]:

Thank you. Thank you. I give the floor to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.


Netherlands (Kingdom of the) [1:43:11]:

Thank you, Chairs. In addition to the statement by the EU, I make the following remarks in my national capacity. The Kingdom of the Netherlands welcomes this joint panel session of the First and Fourth Committee and thanks the panellists for their interesting insights. We welcome exchanges between the different multilateral fora on outer space. While each has its own specific mandate and role, all can benefit from the available expertise, ideas, and documented outcomes from other fora. We must, however, guard against practices that turn the substantive, scientific, technical, and legal discussions in Vienna into political battlegrounds. The Netherlands therefore strongly supports the resolution on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, as put forward by Italy in the Fourth Committee. Chairs, the geopolitical and technical developments that make space congested, contested, and competitive are advancing at a worrying pace and demand our urgent attention. In our view, Collectively established norms, rules, and principles of responsible behavior are the most pragmatic and immediate way forward in the First Committee to ensure a safe, secure, stable, and sustainable use of outer space. In our view, this presents a swifter way to address the behavior as referenced today, as opposed to lengthy, singular-focused treaty negotiations. These efforts could be complemented by further regulating destructive and debris-generating activities, such as destructive direct ascent anti-satellite missile testing. The long-lasting debris created by such activities risks making the outer space environment, or a significant part of it, unusable for generations to come. I thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [1:45:04]:

We thank you. I give the floor to Switzerland.


Switzerland [1:45:12]:

Chair, Switzerland thanks the panellists and welcomes this discussion. Humanity is increasingly reliant on outer space, notably for essential services on Earth and sustainable development. Preserving a safe, secure, and sustainable space environment is therefore in the common interest of all states. Allow me to highlight three points. First, we must strengthen efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space. Switzerland is concerned by announcements and plans to place weapons in outer space. The testing and use of anti-satellite weapons should be banned as the resulting debris threatens both civilian and military space activities and can have lasting consequences for the space environment. Threats to space systems are not only kinetic, as cyberattacks, jamming, and spoofing of satellite activities are already regularly observed and can affect users worldwide. Switzerland welcomes the integrated approach of the Open-Ended Working Group, PAROS, aimed at developing norms of responsible behavior as well as measures relating to the development and deployment of certain capabilities. Second, we must strengthen transparency and space situational awareness. Improving the monitoring of space objects and the exchange of information is essential to reducing collision risks, coordinating space traffic, and preventing misunderstandings, as well as supporting verification of the implementation of norms of responsible behavior. Switzerland is concerned also about the growing amount of space debris and highlights the importance of international cooperation in debris monitoring, data exchange, and mitigation in order to protect the space environment for future generations. We need a coherent and inclusive approach to space governance. Discussions within the open-ended working group, PARAS, and COPUOS should be complementary, should respect their respective mandates, avoid duplication, and promote the exchange of information on ongoing work. Switzerland supports the work of the LTS working group of COPUOS to address emerging challenges, including complex in-orbit operations and space debris removal. A clarification of the principle of due regard enshrined in Article 9 of the Outer Space Treaty could help prevent harmful interference and strengthen confidence among States. Capacity building and international cooperation are essential to ensure that all States can contribute to and benefit from the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space. Chair, space security and sustainability cannot be addressed in isolation. Switzerland urges all States to make use of the open-ended working group PAROS and COPUOS in a mutually reinforcing way and invites the co-chairs to inform both bodies of the results of this panel's discussion. I thank you. I thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [1:48:16]:

Islamic Republic of Iran.


Iran (Islamic Republic of) [1:48:20]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My delegation welcomes this joint panel discussion and thanks the distinguished panelists for their presentations. My delegation has already shared its views on outer space security under cluster III of the First Committee. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a specific development with serious implications for outer space security and sustainability: the development and operation of mega-constellations in low Earth orbit, an issue that Iran addressed in a non-paper submitted to the First Committee last year. The growing use of commercial satellite systems for military purposes demonstrates that the weaponization of outer space is no longer confined to the traditional military programs of certain states. Despite their claimed universal benefits, mega-constellations pose significant legal, technical, security, and long-term sustainability challenges. Their extensive occupation of LEO risks orbital saturation and unequal access to limited orbital and frequency resources, amounting to de facto appropriation, contrary to Article 2 of the Outer Space Treaty. Other serious concerns include increased collision risk, space debris, light pollution, and radio interference that undermine astronomical research and the long-term sustainability of outer space. The provision of unauthorized satellite communication services also raises serious concerns regarding national sovereignty, interference in domestic affairs, and the protection of a state's information environment. Mr. Chair, the military use of commercial mega-constellations poses a particularly grave threat to international peace and security. During the acts of aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran in June 2025 and February 2026, satellite-based communications and internet services, particularly those provided by the Starlink constellation, supported offensive military operations. Such actions endanger international peace and security and the long-term sustainability of outer space. Those responsible must be held fully accountable. This case demonstrates that commercial space infrastructure is no longer merely civilian or neutral. It also highlights the serious security implications of operating commercial satellite systems within the territory of a sovereign state without its authorization and in violation of applicable international regulatory framework. Starlink has repeatedly provided unauthorized services within Iranian territory. Since 2023, Iran has brought this matter before the International Telecommunication Union's Radio Regulations Board. which issued multiple decisions in Iran’s favor, instructing the operator and notifying administrations of Norway and the U.S. to cease these unauthorized services. These decisions remain unimplemented. Iran has repeatedly brought this issue to the attention of relevant United Nations bodies and raised it in multilateral forums, including the Security Council, Copius, the Conference on Disarmament, and the First and Fourth Committee of the General Assembly. Mr. Chair, the current trajectory of mega-constellations risks turning outer space into an arena of competition and confrontation, posing a significant threat to its security and sustainability. The international community must urgently, first, develop an inclusive, legally binding framework governing satellite mega-constellations. Second, ensure full compliance with Outer Space Treaty and other applicable international instruments. Third, prevent the militarization and weaponization of commercial mega-constellations and other space-based infrastructure. And fourth, guarantee equitable access to orbital and frequency resources for all States, particularly developing countries. I thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [1:52:48]:

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


Maldives [1:52:53]:

Thank you, co-chair. An impact in orbit can occur in seconds. The debris may remain there for decades, and the people who bear the consequences may never have launched a satellite. For small island developing states, the loss of a satellite could interrupt storm warnings, maritime navigation, or emergency communication for communities thousands of kilometers away. What happens in orbit can quickly become a matter of safety on Earth. Space security and sustainability must therefore advance together. Restoring the de-stabilizing conduct is not enough if congestion and debris remain unchecked. Managing debris is not enough if competition and mistrust threaten the system in which countries depend. We need restraint before harm occurs. The MALT therefore calls on states to avoid destructive anti-satellite tests and other debris-generating activities. Advanced notification of potentially dangerous operations, communication channels, and procedures to avoid collision can help prevent accidents and dangerous miscalculations. We also need greater responsibility in everyday space operations. The COPUS guidelines on space debris mitigation guidelines of 2007 and the long-term sustainability of outer space activities of 2019 should be put into practice. Equally important is fair access to information. Timely, actionable collision warnings and institutional awareness data of space should reach countries without advanced space infrastructure. We encourage practical data sharing arrangements and technical assistance that enable developing countries to anticipate risks and respond to them. As a member of COPUS, the Maldives sees value in connecting technical expertise in Vienna with security discussions in Geneva and political commitments here in New York. The Open-ended Working Group on Preventing an Arms Race in Outer Space should pursue concrete recommendations that reinforce, rather than duplicate, these efforts. The future of outer space will depend on decisions made on Earth. Let us choose restraint, responsibility and cooperation while those choices can still make a difference. I thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [1:55:25]:

I thank you. I give the floor to India.


India [1:55:31]:

My delegation thanks the co-chairs and the panellists. Cheers. Outer space is no longer insulated from strategic rivalries on Earth. Dual-use assets and technologies are becoming a reality. More actors are acquiring space capabilities, yet international frameworks have not kept pace. Cheers. On the prevention of an arms race in outer space, India, in principle, supports a universally acceptable, legally binding instrument negotiated multilaterally in the Conference on Disarmament. In this regard, non-binding norms, transparency and confidence-building measures can complement this effort, but cannot substitute a legally binding instrument. Cheers. A credible framework must be guided by three mutually reinforcing principles. comprehensiveness, equity, and objectivity. First, comprehensiveness. Security, safety, and sustainability of outer space are interconnected. A selective focus on particular threats while leaving others unaddressed would be counterproductive. Discussions should take account of full range of threats, whether arising from capabilities or activities. Second, equity. Outer space must not become a domain where technological advantage translates into strategic privilege. Measures that privilege a few or impose unequal constraints will lack legitimacy and durability. Third, objectivity. Any approach should be based on objective, concrete, and commonly understood criteria applied uniformly and consistently. Such approaches should avoid subjective characterizations and politicization. In addition, verification is essential for trust. Any future framework must be credible and based on objective criteria. India therefore proposes exploring the feasibility of independent capabilities for space situational awareness on a global or intergovernmental basis. Cheers. As satellite constellations expand and orbital environments become more congested, effective inter-operator coordination and standardized information exchange are becoming increasingly necessary. Institutional coherence remains important. Respecting mandates and avoiding duplication are essential. India calls for stronger coordination between UNOOSA and UNODA. UNCOPUOS remains the most inclusive forum for peaceful uses of outer space. It must remain central to addressing issues with regard to mega-constellations, active debris removal, in-orbit servicing, and space resources and exploration. Cheers. India is a major spacefaring nation with vital developmental and security interests. Our objective is clear: to preserve outer space as a domain of peace and cooperation while safeguarding the legitimate interests of all nations. As a developing country, India has a space program driven by its developmental priorities. Deliberations, whether on security track or safety and sustainability track, must not hinder research and technological development for peaceful and legitimate purposes. Our view is that the future of space must not be shaped by a few or close to those still building their capabilities. It must remain secure, sustainable, equitable, and accessible to all nations. I thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [1:59:06]:

I thank you, and I give the floor to the United States.


United States of America [1:59:11]:

Thank you, Chair. Space activities power our way of life, drive economic development, and enable our shared security. Rapid advances in space technology, lower barriers to entry, and the expansion of civilian and national security applications have solidified the space domain as a key arena for strategic competition. The United States affirms that all nations share a common interest in maintaining stability in outer space and ensuring the long-term sustainability of space activities. To realistically address these issues, the international community must move beyond a singular focus on ineffectual, unrealistic arms control measures purporting to create legally binding bans on weapons in space. The fundamental reality is that space has long been weaponized. The main sponsors of many long-standing UN space initiatives, Russia and China, have been developing testing and operationalizing weapons for years. Earlier this month, the Russian Ministry of Defense satellite, Cosmos 2612, exhibited threatening behavior by intentionally maneuvering dangerously close, within tens of meters, to a commercial satellite. The behaviors were conducted in a manner inconsistent with long-established safety thresholds in low-Earth orbit and appeared consistent with an on-orbit weapons operation. This is not the first time that Russia has undertaken such operations, which we brought to the attention of the United Nations in statements at the First Committee in 2019 and 2020. Any statement by Russia denying that they have weapons in space, clearly at odds with reality, is precisely the reason why the United States supports practical, behavioral-based approaches to stability in outer space, rather than approaches that rely wholly on the good faith of individual states. We can take the first step towards managing the existing risks from such behaviors by agreeing on specific operational behaviors that could reduce the risk of tensions arising from misperceptions and miscalculations. Over time, these shared understandings of behaviors may eventually lead to political commitments and could be incorporated into legally binding obligations. This practical, proven progression is exemplified by the process that led to states agreeing to prohibit the placement of nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction into orbit. This agreement, which recognized that a nuclear detonation in outer space would harm all countries' national security and commercial satellites and infrastructure, first began as a General Assembly resolution 1962/18 in 1963 and was incorporated into Article IV of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the OST, the United States reiterates our call for all nations to accede to the OST. We call for those who are parties to the OST to honor their obligations, including to comply with Article IV’s provision prohibiting the placement in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction. In addition to space security, the work of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and its voluntary, non-legally binding guidelines for space debris and long-term sustainability can assist in space stability and long-term sustainability. Implementation of these guidelines allows all spacefaring nations to take full account of the leading-edge technologies and best operational practices of the commercial sector, such as those discussed by panelists today. The work of UNCOPUUS underscores the role of observable and confirmable measures, such as the timely sharing of relevant information between satellite operators in enabling the safe conduct of the full range of space activities. This consensus guidance, complemented by international technical standards, can help to distinguish maneuvers that are reckless and conducted in an unprofessional manner, such as those conducted by Russia with its Cosmos 2612 satellite. As the United States and many other delegations have noted at past joint panel discussions, the work of UNCOPUOS, the International Telecommunication Union, and the First Committee and other multilateral disarmament bodies must complement each other but avoid unnecessary duplication. Finally, I must briefly respond to Iran’s allegations about U.S. military space activities. Iran’s criticism of the United States for using space in conflicts is utter hypocrisy. The fact is that Iran’s military fully utilizes space in all of its military operations. Thank you, Chair.


4th Committee · Chair [2:03:57]:

I thank you very much. I now give the floor to Djibouti, with the last speaker on my list.


Djibouti [2:04:04]:

Thank you, Chair. Co-Chair, my delegation hails the convening of this meeting of the First Sub-Committee on Outer Space. Djibouti is a developing country. It highlights the ramifications of space activities. It is a tool for development and training of young people and territorial knowledge. The real interest lies in the services that satellites can provide for the population and in the administration's decision making. Djibouti has allowed us to gather information on water and climate in order to develop and strengthen the population's resilience and to prevent flooding and droughts. The applications offered are particularly important for developing countries. Co-Chair, in a difficult geopolitical context, we should avoid escalations and tensions in this space area. Humanity needs space for its survival and for its development. Given the rapid development of space technologies and the growing dependence of States on satellite services, we hail COPUOS’s efforts. We also encourage COPUOS to continue to promote equitable access to the benefits of space activities by giving special attention to the needs of developing countries. It is important to strengthen dialogue. within the First and Fourth Committees and also between States in order to promote cooperation and respect for international law in the case of the use of space. Co-Chair, we call on the international community to strengthen the peaceful use of outer space and to adopt by consensus a singular binding mechanism in order to preserve our common good. Outer space remains heritage that should be accessible to all of humanity for the benefit of peace and sustainable development and for the good of present and future generations. I thank you for your kind attention.


4th Committee · Chair [2:06:19]:

I shall now call on delegations who have requested the right of reply. May I propose that we will follow the time limits of the First Committee for statements in the exercise of right of reply, meaning four and a half minutes for a first intervention and two Two and a half minutes for a second intervention. I now give the floor. If there is no objection, it is so decided. And I give the floor to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Sorry, to the Russian Federation.


Russian Federation [2:06:58]:

Thank you. Mr. Chairman, we reject all spurious and ungrounded insinuations about the space activity of the Russian Federation. The absurd insinuations have no relation to reality and are part of a propaganda campaign aimed at discrediting the space activity of Russia and its initiatives to prevent an arms race in outer space. The steps of our country in research and development of space are being conducted in accordance with international obligations exclusively for peaceful purposes and do not threaten the activity of other states in space. The Russian Federation strictly adheres to the founding treaty on space of 1967, as well as other agreements in this area. Article 4 of the treaty directly prohibits placing any objects into space with nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction, or placing such weapons in any other way into space. The Russian Federation has strictly adhered to this provision. There are no confirmations are required. Attempts to revise this treaty and other instruments of space law, we believe, are inadmissible. Our country for many years has made significant contribution to maintaining space free of any kind of weaponry and preventing from transforming it into another sphere for military confrontation. Russia has consistently proposed to UN member states to adopt at the national and international level legal obligations on non-placement of any kind of weapons in outer space, and also the non-use of force and no threat of the use of force against space objects or their use. It is obvious that, in particular, delegations of the United States that has put forward ungrounded accusations against our country, trying to distract the attention of the international community of their own destructive steps in space, and stubbornly tries to use megaphone diplomacy by spreading unfounded accusations against the Russian Federation. Thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [2:09:20]:

I thank the Russian Federation. I see no further request for the floor. Iran. It's now the Republic of Iran, you have the floor.


Iran (Islamic Republic of) [2:09:32]:

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Very briefly in response to the representative of US, my delegation categorically reject the baseless allegations made by representative of the United States. Representative of US, rather than leveling baseless allegation against Iran, should respond to the serious concerns regarding his country’s destructive policies and actions in outer space, including recent public statements by the U.S. officials openly and blatantly acknowledging the deployment of weapons in outer space. The international community must not allow the U.S. to convert outer space in a military domain. I thank you.


4th Committee · Chair [2:10:15]:

I thank you. I see no further requests for the floor. We have heard the last speaker in this joint panel of the First and the Fourth Committees. Before concluding, also on behalf of my co-chair, Your Excellency Mr. Laug Badu Tapa, I would like to thank all delegations for their insightful interventions and also the panellists for their thoughtful briefings. In line with past practice, A co-chaired summary of the joint panel discussion will be prepared and issued in due course after this meeting. The next meeting of the First Committee will take place this afternoon at 3:00 PM in this conference room, and the Fourth Committee will convene tomorrow, Friday, October 30th, at 10:00 AM in this conference room to continue and conclude its consideration of agenda item 46A, entitled International cooperation, the peaceful uses of outer space. The meeting is adjourned. Thank you.