Outer Space: Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Legal Subcommittee, 65th session, 1095th meeting General Assembly Date: 15 April 2026 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/fr/asset/k1y/k1yth5mvfb?lang=en Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [29:30]: Distinguished delegates, good afternoon. I declare open the meeting of the Subcommittee on Legal Affairs of COPUOS. This afternoon, As I said this morning, we will continue our review of agenda item four, general exchange of views. We shall begin and we hope to conclude our review of agenda item five, information on the activities of international intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations related to space law. And if time allows, we shall start agenda item six. After that, we will suspend the plenary so that the working group on the situation and implementation of the five UN space treaties can hold their first meeting. Before we continue with this afternoon's programme, I would like to inform delegates that I have received a communication from the League of Arab States requesting permission to attend and participate in the meetings of the current session of our subcommittee as an observer. In conformity with past practice, I suggest that we invite the League of Arab States to attend as an observer and to address the subcommittee as appropriate. That is, of course, without prejudice to further requests of this nature, and it does not involve any decisions of the full committee concerning status. Once again, it is a courtesy that we customarily extend to such delegations. If there is no objection, we will proceed accordingly. Thank you. Distinguished delegates, We shall now continue with our consideration of agenda item four, general exchange of views. I now turn to the list of speakers. The first speaker on my list is the Czech Republic. You have the floor. Czechia [32:31]: On behalf of the Czech delegation, I would like to congratulate you on your election as Chair of the Legal Subcommittee. The Czech Republic is a founding member of COPUOS with a longstanding tradition in international space law. We reaffirm our support for the work of COPUOS, which is the primary and most legitimate forum for addressing legal challenges arising out of the exploration and use of outer space. The Czech Republic welcomes the progress achieved by the Working Group on Legal Aspects of Space Resources Activities on the initial draft set of recommended principles and thanks the Chair and Vice-Chair for facilitating constructive consultations during the intersessional period. We look forward to further discussions and will support efforts to reach a consensus on this framework. We emphasize that the Outer Space Treaty is the cornerstone of the international legal regime governing the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. The key principles of transparency, non-appropriation and benefit sharing must remain central to any future framework. Chair, the Czech Republic reiterates its longstanding commitment to responsible behaviour in outer space. We underscore the importance of space safety, long-term sustainability and transparency of outer space activities. The Czech Republic sees a great value in advancing discussions on legal aspects of space traffic management and space situational awareness. In this regard, we co-sponsored the working paper assessing legal and policy aspects of space traffic and forging consensus on the way forward presented by Germany. Enhancing space safety is crucial in an era of growing number of satellites and large constellations and other emerging challenges. The Czech Republic supports the information sharing as a key tool with a view to promoting transparency, predictability and legality of outer space activities, including lunar operations. We support the work on implementation of Article 11 of the Outer Space Treaty under the Working Group on the Status and Application of the Five United Nations Treaties on Outer Space. As a co-initiator of the Compendium of Space Debris Mitigation Standards, we appreciate recent contributions and encourage all Member States and other stakeholders to share their practices. In closing, the Czech Republic reiterates its support of the Legal Subcommittee. We are committed to contributing to its work and addressing legal challenges in the development of international standards for the peaceful use of outer space. Thank you, Chair. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [35:23]: I thank the Czech Republic for their statement. I now give the floor to Luxembourg. Luxembourg [35:32]: Chair, First of all, allow me to address our sincere congratulations on your election. You can count on the support of Luxembourg. Luxembourg aligns itself fully with the statement made by the European Union and I would just like to make the following comments in our national capacity. Chair, over recent years Luxembourg has considerably strengthened the implementation of its national space law activities, the 2020 law on space activities and the 2017 law on the exploration and use of space resources establish a clear framework for the authorization and oversight of the activities of non-state actors, enabling us to have effective management of risks and reaffirming the responsibility of the state. The implementation of these two laws is underway actively. notably through their active execution and continued oversight of space operators. We are also reinforcing bilateral cooperation in the regulatory sphere with our state partners to promote a coordinated approach in line with our international obligations. In this regard, Luxembourg recently concluded an agreement with United Kingdom. to define the responsibility of states in the framework of a satellite transfer. We thank the UK Space Agency as well as colleagues in the government of the United Kingdom for their cooperation. safety and sustainability of space activities are priorities for Luxembourg. We are actively involved in the surveillance of space debris and life extension of objects in orbit by joining the EU partnership for monitoring space Luxembourg is strengthening its contribution to European joint efforts and supports innovative commercial initiatives including those that use artificial intelligence. Chair, we support the proposal made by Germany on the legal and political aspects of space traffic so that we can have exchanges among government experts on the situation and the evolution of this question. It is important that the work of the group of experts on this situation within the scientific and technical subcommittee be completed by our subcommittee. Each subcommittee contributes to the evolution of this subject in its own sphere of competence. We also welcome the work of the action team for ATLAC. Luxembourg fully supports this initiative, which contributes to strengthening international coordination, which is both responsible and inclusive for activities on the moon surface. Luxembourg is strongly committed to the work of the working group on the legal aspects of space resources. I have the pleasure to inform that Space Resources Week 2026 will take place between the 4th and 7th of May in Luxembourg. This time it will offer a privileged insight into progress made and scientific and recent technological advances and will help strengthen international cooperation. Our commitment in the Artemis Accords has increased. We will participate in the work of the signatory group as well as the next meeting in Peru. Finally, Luxembourg would like to highlight that the United Nations, especially COP was are the framework reference for our joint action. It is within this multilateral forum that we should pursue a constructive dialogue, strengthen mutual understanding among nations and promote international cooperation, which is both ambitious and responsible in the field of the peaceful use of outer space to the benefit of all humanity. Thank you. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [39:53]: I thank Luxembourg for that statement and now I give the floor to Singapore. Singapore [40:05]: Chair, my delegation congratulates you on assuming the chairmanship of this subcommittee and assures you of Singapore's full cooperation. We also thank the secretariat for its excellent support. Singapore reaffirms our commitment to the international rules-based order and support for the important work of COPUOS and this legal subcommittee in advancing the international legal framework governing the use of outer space. This framework will be critical to ensuring that the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, and that outer space shall be free for the exploration and use by all States. In this regard, we are grateful to UNOSA for organizing, through the Global Space Law Project, a space law technical advisory mission to Singapore last October. The mission provided representatives from our government agencies, research institutes and industry players a better understanding of how Singapore's international legal obligations can be translated into our domestic legal framework. We are pleased to announce that the National Space Agency of Singapore was established two weeks ago on 1st of April. The National Space Agency of Singapore or NSAS will develop and operate national space capabilities, strengthen our R&D ecosystem, develop our space industry, advance international partnerships, and develop space legislation and regulation. The National Space Agency of Singapore will also encourage commercial players in Singapore's growing space ecosystem to build on the 2024 guidelines for Singapore-related space activities and develop national space legislation that encourages innovation while meeting high standards for space safety and space sustainability. Chair, Singapore looks forward to contributing to discussions at this LSC session on the legal and policy aspects of space traffic management and space resource activities. As outer space becomes increasingly congested and as satellite operators receive more frequent conjunction warnings, there is clearly a need for greater coordination amongst satellite operators. In that regard, Singapore welcomes UNOSA's efforts to collect information on regulations, policies, best practices, and requirements related to space traffic management. These discussions at the legal subcommittee will be a useful complement to those taking place at the expert group on space situational awareness of the scientific and technical subcommittee. Singapore further supports the work of the the efforts of the working group on legal aspects of space resource activities to establish a set of recommended principles for activities in the exploration, exploitation, and utilization of space resources. As the Outer Space Treaty clearly states, outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, must be free for exploration and use by all states without discrimination of any kind, a basis of equality and in accordance with international law. We reaffirm our commitment to the objectives and purpose of COPUOS in line with our support for an open, inclusive and rules-based approach to the peaceful, responsible and sustainable use of space. In this regard, I am pleased to announce that Singapore will be making an annual financial contribution towards the functioning of COPUOS and its subcommittees beginning from 2026, which will help to further the important and timely work of UNOSA in achieving these aims. Thank you. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [44:01]: I thank the delegation of Singapore for their statement and now I give the floor to Indonesia. Indonesia [44:13]: Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, on behalf of the government of Republic of Indonesia, we congratulate you on your election as the chair of the 65 LSC session. Our delegation is confident that the Chair's leadership will guide our work to productive outcomes. Indonesia associates itself with the statement of the Group of 77 and China on this agenda item, as well as agenda items number 6, 7a, 7b, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13. Indonesia wishes to make the following remarks in our national capacity. Indonesia is of the view that COPUOS should continue to strengthen the international legal framework governing outer space activities. in line with the principles enshrined in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, including non-appropriation, equal access, and equitable benefit sharing. Indonesia consistently underscores that outer space shall be province of all mankind and advocates for the inclusive and peaceful use of outer space, preserving peace, security, and benefits for all humankind in line with the UN Charter and applicable international law. Indonesia demonstrates its commitment to compliance with international legal frameworks in national space projects such as Nasantara satellite, ensuring registration, licensing, and sustainable operations. Amidst rapid yet potentially disruptive advancements in space activities, including mega-constellations, space exploration, suborbital flights, and human spaceflight, Indonesia encourages the Committee to intensify deliberations towards a consensus-based definition and delimitation. grounded in scientific evidence, equitable principles, and the need of developing countries. Indonesia also understand the importance of addressing the growing challenges relating to activities in the low Earth orbit. In this regard, Indonesia is of the view that the utilization of the geostationary orbit as a limited resource must remain inclusive and allow for equitable access. Regarding benefit sharing, particularly in the context of space exploration activities, Indonesia emphasizes equitable access to both material and non-material space resources through international collaboration and appropriate regulatory agreements prior to exploration. Space security must be prioritized through international cooperation, including space traffic management and conflict risk mitigation. Indonesia reaffirms its commitment to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, by actively implementing the long-term sustainability guidelines and engaging actively in relevant working groups of corpus of relevant working groups and corpus subcommittees to ensure equitable space access for developing nations. Indonesia also actively participates in this discussion within ASEAN and other multilateral fora. Furthermore, Indonesia support stronger space object registration practices to enhance transparency and mitigate coalition risk. particularly in light of the proliferation of mega constellations. Lastly, Indonesia reiterates the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation, focusing on capacity building and technical assistance for developing countries to ensure that the utilization of outer space remains safe, secure and beneficial for all. I thank you, Mr. Chair. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [47:25]: I thank Indonesia for their statement. And now I give the floor to Belgium. Belgium [47:31]: Thank you, Chair. My delegation is pleased to see you chairing this session of the Legal Subcommittee and we would like to welcome the new members and we pledge our full cooperation in our work. Belgium aligns itself fully with the statement made by the European Union and would like to add the following in its national capacity. Chair, Belgium is actively committed at international level, European level and national level in the preservation of space as a resource and its protection as an environment. The goals of security, sustainability and equity in the exploration and use of space have been included in Belgium's space activities and including in our contributions to European programs, either European Space Agency or the European Union. The regulation of space activities is a complex exercise which requires continuous consultation at international level. Space calls for very big investments from governments and from industry, we have to ensure that the regulation of this economic sector is done intelligently with operators and with users without generating useless bureaucracy. The idea of harmonising or rendering interoperable technical standards encourage the safety and sustainability of space activities as well as the preservation and protection of space which is at the heart of European Union draft legislation the EU Space Act this effort towards effective standards and rules is something that is shared by all nations otherwise it has no sense Vis-a-vis the immediate challenges that require our attention, there are other more long-term ones which are not less important for future generations. Belgium will pay specific interest to the groups of the Working Group on Space Resources, whose current mandate will end in 2027. Thanks to the proactive guidance of its chair and vice chair, this working group can move towards the adoption of specific principles for equitable exploration and use, sustainable use of natural resources of the celestial bodies. We are renewing our support to this and we hope this will be achieved briefly. The work of UN COPUOS is a solid and recognized basis for something like the EU Space Act and beyond that the adoption of new national space laws that respond to the challenges of the coming decades, whether these are guidelines on the long-term sustainability of outer space activities or on space debris or the use of nuclear power sources in space or work within the subcommittees are regional and national initiatives draw a lot of input from Vienna. More than ever, the role of the United Nations for the peaceful use of outer space is essential. Thank you. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [51:01]: I thank Belgium for their statement. And now I give the floor to Turkey. Türkiye [51:06]: Thank you, Chair. I would like to thank Mr. Santiago Ripoll Carriola for his successful tenure and congratulate Mr. Pablo Adrian Arrocha Ola Buena on his appointment as chairperson of the legal subcommittee. I also thank the director of UNOSA, Ms. Hola Maini and her team for the excellent preparation of this session. Distinguished chair and delegates, strengthening space governance to maintain a safe and sustainable outer space for the benefit of present and future generations is our common goal. The role of COPUOS and subcommittees as well as the UNOSA in both regulating and managing these activities have become even more important in the face of rapid growth in space activities. Space law serves as a practical necessity for the future of human exploration and expansion into space. The pact for the future In that sense, recognize among others the need for urgent action to ensure safe and sustainable use of space for the benefit of all humankind through the committee. Turkey is one of the few countries which ratified all the five UN treaties on outer space, including the agreement governing the activities of states on the moon and other celestial bodies, believes that these five UN treaties constitute the cornerstone of international law on outer space. Therefore, we call upon those who have not yet done so to sign and ratify all five UN treaties. We also underscore the importance of their full implementation for a safer, more secure, sustainable and peaceful outer space for all. Chair, we believe that COPUOS, its subcommittees and working groups play a pivotal role in regulating and managing outer space activities. who posed as the authorized body with respect to discussions on potential legal models for activities in the exploration, exploitation, and utilization of space resources. Turkey is of the opinion that the technical mandate of the committee and its subcommittees should be strictly preserved also with respect to the work on potential legal models for space resource related activities while recognizing various instruments and regimes having different dynamics. Chair, Regarding the proposal to hold UNISPACE-4 conference in 2027, we would like to underscore once more the importance of addressing key priorities, including the establishment of coordination mechanisms for ensuring space sustainability, the broader utilization of space solutions like the use of space data, technologies and applications to achieve the SDGs, and the enhancement of international cooperation for the peaceful use and exploration of outer space. We are confident that an agreement will be reached regarding the organizational details of the conference, including funding. We support discussions on long-term sustainability of outer space activities, space debris mitigation, space traffic management, and efforts for cooperation on space resources and sustainable lunar activities. Turkey takes note of the progress achieved by the working group on legal aspects of space resource activities in drafting an initial set of recommended principles. We are participating in the work of the working group and closely following the discussions. In this context, we would like to express Turkey's full support to the important efforts of the working group and thank the chair of the working group, Mr. Freeland, and also vice chair, Mr. Ahmed, for their valuable work. Turkey also took part in the United Nations Conference on Space Law and Policy held in Vienna in November 2025 and took note of the views of renowned experts from academia, public and private sectors. Chair, distinguished delegates, Turkey will host the 77th International Astronomical Congress in Antalya in October this year under the theme of the world needs more space. We will highly appreciate high level participation and valuable contributions from each and every member of the IAC. Further to that, in conjunction with the 77th IAC, we are planning to hold a workshop on space technology for socioeconomic benefits in cooperation with the United Nations, presented by the Office of Outer Space Affairs, UNOSA. chair. In closing, we would like to reaffirm Turkey's commitment on international cooperation in all aspects of the space sector, from regulatory frameworks to technical operations with COPUOS playing the leading role. We stand ready to work collectively with member states to address shared challenges and ensure that outer space remains a domain of peace, innovation and opportunity for all humankind. I thank you, sir. Thank you. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [56:02]: I thank Turkey for their statement and now I give the floor to Philippines. Philippines [56:09]: Thank you, Chair. The delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the Group of 77 and China and would like to make the following remarks in our national capacity. We congratulate you on your election and you can count on Philippines active participation and support. UNOOSA team for the preparations for this subcommittee meeting, particularly in light of budget constraints. We recognize the subcommittee's vital role in advancing legal frameworks that promote the responsible, peaceful, and sustainable use of outer space. Senor Presidente, the Philippines remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding outer space treaties and principles developed under the auspices of the United Nations. We emphasize that outer space activities must be conducted exclusively for peaceful purposes and in accordance with international law. We likewise affirm our commitment to strengthening the rules-based order in outer space. It is important to ensure that outer space remains accessible and beneficial to all countries, particularly developing nations. The Philippines continues to take concrete steps to strengthen its adherence to the core UN space treaties. We are a state party to the Moon Agreement and the Registration Convention. The Philippines ratification of the Liability Convention is now awaiting our Senate concurrence. We are facilitating efforts toward the ratification of the Outer Space Treaty and the Rescue Agreement, and we will elaborate further on these developments under agenda item six. We are pleased to share that the Philippines recently became a signatory to the Artemis Accords. Through this step, the Philippines joins the growing community of nations committed to transparency, due regard, and the peaceful and sustainable exploration and use of outer space consistent with international law. The Philippines likewise expresses its interest in participating in similar initiatives that advance responsible and sustainable space activities. We believe that such initiatives provide valuable platforms for strengthening cooperation, promoting transparency, and fostering confidence building among states. These efforts also support the development of practical norms and best practices that contribute to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. At the regional level, the Philippines hosted the ASEAN Space Situational Awareness and Space Traffic Management Seminar Workshop this past March. And this was in partnership with the Geoinformatics and Space Technology Development Agency. We sincerely thank UNOSA for supporting us in this activity. The workshop brought together representatives from ASEAN member states, policymakers, technical experts, and commercial operators to advance a coordinated regional approach to space safety through data sharing, transparency, and cooperation. Mr. Chair, the Philippines remains committed to working collaboratively with all member states to promote responsible behavior, strengthen legal frameworks, and ensure the peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive use of outer space for the benefit of all humankind. We look forward to advancing shared priorities and strengthening cooperation in the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [59:59]: Thank you to the Philippines. And now I give the floor to Japan. Japan [1:00:04]: Thank you, Mr. Chair, distinguished delegate. Japan is honored to take the floor and extend its sincere congratulations to you, Chair, for your election. We look forward to thoughtful and productive deliberations under your guidance. I would like to take this opportunity also to convey my sincere congratulations to the successful completion of Artemis II mission this month. Mr. Chair, at a time when space activities are advancing with remarkable speed, the need to secure predictability and to nurture steady cooperation and trust among all stakeholders grows ever more pressing. In such an environment, clear and commonly shared international norms stand as a steady compass, reducing uncertainty and guiding responsible conduct. Their development is not merely desirable, it is essential. The community of space actors, including private enterprises, is expanding at an unprecedented pace. Across both public and private spheres, technological progress moves swiftly. With this progress comes a widening diversity in actors, interests, and modes of operations, rendering space activities ever more intricate. Such dynamism calls for approaches to governance that are at once resilient and adaptable. Yet, as diversity deepens, so too does the risk of misunderstanding and friction. It is therefore of growing importance to establish international norms that uphold order and safety in outer space. Through such norms, greater predictability and stability may be secured for all who venture there. It is also noteworthy that demand for international norms is rising from the private sector itself. Norms should remain grounded in the realities of actual operations. close engagement with industry, those who develop, operate and utilize technologies is indispensable if these norms are to be practical and effective. Nor must international norms be confined to legally binding forms alone. Flexible instruments, such as the steady accumulation of best practices and the development of adaptable guidelines, may offer means better suited to keeping pace with rapid technological change. Chair, in this regard, Copious remains the central forum for the development of international norms governing space activities, and it continued to play a vital role in fostering international cooperation. Japan underscores that both Copious and its legal subcommittee must further strengthen their efforts so as to keep stride with the swift evolution of space development and utilization. It behooves us all to advance robust frameworks that ensure the sustainable, peaceful and safe use of outer space for the benefit of all. May our shared resolve today become the quiet order that guides tomorrow's skies. Thank you very much for your attention. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [1:03:54]: I thank the delegation of Japan for their statement and now I the floor to the Republic of Korea. Republic of Korea [1:04:03]: Thank you, Chair. The Republic of Korea congratulates you on your election and thanks the Secretariat for their efforts in making the arrangements for this meeting. We would also like to extend our congratulations to the United States on the successful launch of Artemis II, which marks a significant milestone in human space exploration. The Republic of Korea is proud to have contributed to this mission through the K-RAD Cube payload. In a similar manner, the Republic of Korea is actively engaged in expanding its space activities. Following the successful fourth launch of Nuriho in November 2025, we are preparing for the fifth launch this year, which will include the deployment of multiple Cube satellites. In the field of space exploration, we established the space science and exploration roadmap last year, focusing on scientific innovation, building lunar bases, and creating new industries. We also plan to launch a lunar lander by 2032, while continuing discussions on lunar base development with international partners. Mr. Chair, As space activities continue to expand, the importance of a safe, sustainable and peaceful space environment supported by a robust legal framework is becoming ever more evident. In this regard, the UN Space Treaties remain an indispensable foundation for preserving international order and provide the fundamental framework for the free and peaceful use of outer space. as well as for safe, sustainable and responsible space activities. Against this backdrop, even in the face of the current liquidity crisis, we believe that the Legal Subcommittee of COPUOS will continue to play an instrumental role in addressing emerging space issues, including space debris mitigation, space traffic management, space resources, transparency and cooperation. In response to these developments, the Republic of Korea is currently reviewing its national legal framework to reflect the rapid expansion of space activities and the increasing participation of commercial space actors. We are preparing the Aerospace Basic Law, which will serve as the comprehensive legal foundation for the national aerospace governance and policy. Following its enactment, we also developed legislation for each sector, including space industry, space resource utilization, and space traffic management. Mr. Chair, despite the current complex international political landscape and the ongoing financial constraints, discussions within the Legal Subcommittee of COPUOS remain of great importance. The Republic of Korea is committed to working closely with the subcommittee and we look forward to fruitful discussions during this session. Thank you. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [1:07:25]: I thank the Republic of Korea for their statement. And now I give the floor to Morocco. Morocco [1:07:32]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Allow me to congratulate you for sharing the session and express to Mr. Santiago Ripoll Carolla of Spain the sincere thanks of my delegation for his able leadership. Mr. Chair, the evolution of space activities highlights their dynamic and ever-evolving nature, emphasizing the imperative to ensure the sustainable and peaceful use of outer space. Looking to the future, the ongoing progress of space endeavors will be pivotal in shaping the next era of space exploration and exploitation. Therefore, At the brink of this new era, the need for continuous dialogue and international cooperation are essential to ensure that outer space is governed by the values of peace in full alignment with the existing legal framework, including the Outer Space Treaty and other relevant international agreements. Mr. Chair, Morocco remains committed to the principles of the 1967 treaty ensuring fair and rational use of outer space, no appropriation and no militarization, including the moon and celestial bodies, and believes that peaceful use of outer space is crucial for long-term sustainability of outer space activity. Aligned with this stance, Morocco, during this, its current chairmanship of the 68th session of COPUOS in 2025, 2026, has successfully around ensured the adoption of the final report within the mandate deadlines while securing consensus on key decisions such as the Atlac plan, the extension of the mid-term review of the Space 2030 agenda and the preparation of UniSpace 4. This achievement reinforced the work and the mandate of the legal subcommittee, ensuring that initiatives like Atlac and Space 2030 agenda are built on a solid international foundation to promote an equitable and secure space environment for all. This is why Morocco believes that international cooperation is the most effective path forward to fully harness space potential, particularly in resource monitoring, disaster management, and ensuring equitable access to space technology. Furthermore, the organization, for the first time of the side event celebrating African space development, last year, highlight regional progress and Morocco's commitment to a sustainable and inclusive space environment. The side event was marked by the active participation for the first time of the Director of African Space Agency and European Space Agency, who presented their respective strategic vision, ongoing programs and prospects for cooperation in the space sector. The discussion highlighted the importance of strengthening partnership between Africa and EU. The key outcome of this event was a shared consensus on the need to intensify both bilateral and multilateral collaboration while paving the way for new joint initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and sustainable development. In the same vein, Morocco believes that international cooperation is the most effective path forward to fully harness space potential, particularly in resource monitoring, disaster management, and ensuring equitable access to space technology and commends the dedicated work undertaken by the legal subcommittee to maintain the sustainability of our outer space activity. Mr. Chair, within its commitment to the international legal corpus on space, Morocco has registered several space objectives, more recently of the University Mohammed V, electro-optical and University Mohammed V, Ribat nanosatellite, which were launched in 2024 and has contributed to the various working groups of this subcommittee, particularly those concerning the exploitation and utilization of space resources, legal aspect of traffic management. Morocco considers that strengthening the legal aspect of the exploitation, exploration and use of space through enhanced international cooperation and collaboration is crucial for fostering sustainable development. In this sense, Morocco has contributed to various groups of the subcommittee. At the regional level, it is worth mentioning that the cooperation with African countries constitutes a fundamental pillar in the Moroccan national strategy for the development of space activities. Within this approach, Morocco remains committed to fostering knowledge and understanding of space law and space policy in the African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology in French, CRST, affiliated to United Nations, which is located in Rabat, offering ongoing support for these endeavors. As part of Morocco involvement of all activity initiated by at the African level, CRST, French language, has been instrumented in capacity building through its master program in space science and technology. These efforts are reflected in the active participation of African students in the centre of the programme. As an example, in 2025, approximately more than 50 students from 10 African countries participated in the centre's postgraduate programme, Master in Space Science and Technology. Furthermore, within this framework of continued programme involving African institutions, and in the university Morocco continue to contribute to the development of tailored space based solutions designated as to address the specific needs of Africa. In line with this commitment to remaining up to date, French language has developed an online training program making its educational resource accessible to all African countries. And finally, Morocco remains convinced that the multiplication and organization of events focused on jurisdiction and space policies for the benefit of all countries is crucial for promoting states adherence to the fifth treaties governing outer space and for establishing a comprehensive national space law. I thank you. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [1:13:51]: I thank Morocco for their statement and now I give the floor to Brazil. Brazil [1:13:58]: Thank you, Chair, and congratulations on your election. And I pledge the cooperation and confidence of my delegation in your work. Space governance. We regret that our meeting time has been cut due to the current liquidity crisis. We commend the Secretariat for working with member states to find solutions that allow our work to continue. It is important to recognize COPUOS and its subcommittees as the only UN platform for discussing the peaceful use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies. We already have a foundational legal framework for outer space governance. The Outer Space Treaty sets out the principles for exploration and use of outer space, including the peaceful use, freedom of exploration and use on a basis of equality, respect for the interests of other states, and the conduct of activities for the benefit and in the interests of all countries. The sharp increase in space activities has made those rules more relevant than ever, but we can see that they are not sufficient. We have to strengthen and further develop these rules to prevent fragmentation and avoid the risks associated with unilateral initiatives. This morning, the director of ONASA spoke of anticipatory diplomacy. Brazil stands ready to actively participate in our ongoing discussions under COPUOS subcommittees, including on space resources, lunar activities, space situational awareness, and space traffic management. In the working group on legal aspects of space resource activities, Brazil emphasizes once again that the exploration and the use of outer space can only be legitimate if they take place for the benefit and in the interests of all countries. For that reason, benefit sharing mechanisms are indispensable. This includes information sharing, technology transfer and capacity building. These are crucial, not minor elements. On ATLAC, Brazil places particular importance to transparency, confidence, capacity building, the promotion of science and inclusive participation by all countries. For discussions on lunar activities to gain widespread support, they must be open, transparent and responsive to the concerns of all delegations, including those of developing and emerging space nations. Since you're from Mexico, I will say there will be no line of in the moon. Mr. Chair, as space activities continue to grow exponentially, it is essential to establish legal arrangements that prevent new forms of exclusion or colonialism. International cooperation in outer space should not exacerbate existing inequalities. Instead, it should work to reduce them. Going to space only makes full sense if the benefits are shared with everyone on Earth. This is why it is the right time to discuss measures aimed at reducing the technological disparities that separate us. Progress can be achieved through non-legally binding instruments, legally binding instruments, or a combination of both. These approaches are not mutually exclusive. Non-legally binding instruments can help build convergence and lay the groundwork for stronger frameworks over time. Ultimately, what matters is that the legal order governing outer space continues to ensure safety, predictability, and legitimacy for all countries. To achieve this goal, Brazil is proudly part of the initiative Space for Development, alongside the African Group, Iraq, Jordan, Mexico, Pakistan and Panama. This initiative aims to implement the principle that the exploration and use of outer space should benefit and be in the interests of all countries, regardless of their level of economic or scientific development. in accordance with Article 1 of the Outer Space Treaty. Mr. Chair, allow me to conclude by warmly inviting all delegations represented here to come to Brazil in November. As part of our efforts to strengthen capacity building in space law, the Brazilian Space Agency, in collaboration with the Secure World Foundation, will host the eighth Space Sustainability Summit. This event will be held in Brasilia on November 4 and 5, 2026, marking the first time it is held in a developing country. We hope to see you there. We look forward to engaging with all delegations in the days ahead. Thank you, Mr. Chair. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [1:19:03]: I thank Brazil for their statement. And now I give the floor to Colombia. Colombia [1:19:11]: Thank you very much, Chair. And first of all, congratulations on your appointment as Chair of the Legal Subcommittee of COPUOS, and we too pledge all our cooperation. We would also like to thank the Secretariat for preparing this very important meeting, and we wish you all every success. The Republic of Colombia would like to reiterate its steadfast commitment to the strengthening of the international legal framework that regulates the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. In this regard, we acknowledge the essential role played by COPUOS. and its subcommittees as essential multilateral spaces in the promotion of the peaceful use of outer space. Colombia reaffirms the importance of preserving COPUOS's multilateral governance and normative coherence between existing multilateral frameworks and new international initiatives, especially in a context characterized by fragmentation and unilateral approaches that weaken consensus built in the space domain. In this regard, Colombia invites the international community to maintain its spirit of cooperation and multilateralism to the benefit of the well-being and coexistence of all people as well as the spirit of shared responsibility in preserving the space environment. In line with this, we invite those member states who have differences to try and reach consensus on their positions, especially on possible controversies. Colombia urges So to recognise that structural differences do exist in capacity and in access between developed countries and developing countries, therefore we encourage. countries to continue to build sustainable ways forward to reach a legal order in space activities to facilitate the best use of space technology to the benefit of all of humanity. The use of space resources should take place in conformity with international law and to the benefit of all countries independently of their level of development. Chair, Colombia observes that the space environment is undergoing significant transformation. The accelerated increase in the launching of space objects, as well as the production of satellite constellations, are proof of the huge technological growth we are witnessing. However, those changes mean new legal and regulatory challenges that require coordinated responses from international law and multilateral dialogue. In order to reduce the digital divide between countries, we should promote specific measures For the access, transfer and effective participation in decision making, the concentration of these technologies. means that knowledge cannot be homogeneous, condemning different states to remain outside these global discussions. For Colombia, it is essential that developing countries are not excluded from any benefit of space resources. Colombia acknowledges that the world is seeing changes in space governance. Therefore, decisions made will have impact and will be conditioning factors in the long term, especially for developing countries. Chair, states must maintain international responsibility for national space activities, including those undertaken by private institutions. Colombia would like to emphasise the importance of striking a balance between economic, business and industrial dynamism with equitable access for all States. This balance should also reach the relationship between innovation and sustainability technological progress should not compromise protecting the environment in space. And to conclude, Colombia would like to highlight that national interest should be in line with the global common good so that space development contributes to collective progress and does not exacerbate existing inequalities. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [1:23:53]: Thank you, Colombia. Now I give the floor to Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan [1:23:56]: On behalf of the Republic of Uzbekistan, we congratulate you on your election. So, Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, On behalf of Republic of Uzbekistan, let me warmly welcome all participants of this session and express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to address you today. The development of the space sector holds a special place in the strategic agenda of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In line with our national programs on the development of the digital economy and technologies, Uzbekistan is steadily building its national space infrastructure. A clear confirmation of this commitment can be found in the address of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the nation on 26 December 2025. In that address, the President identified two important national objectives. First, the creation and launch of constellation of domestic Earth observation satellites. And second, sending the first Uzbek astronaut into orbit. So these are not simply ambitious goals. They reflect a new level of strategic vision. Uzbekistan sees outer space as a vital resource for sustainable economic development, national security, and the technological sovereignty of our country. At the same time, as we all understand, any large-scale space activity must be supported by a strong and reliable legal framework. That's why in recent years, Uzbekistan has placed particular emphasis on the legal regulation of this sector. both at the national level and in the context of its international obligations. One of the most important achievements of this work was the adoption in 2025 of the law of Republic of Uzbekistan about space activities. For the first time in the history of independent Uzbekistan, this law established a comprehensive and systematic legal foundation for carrying out space activities at the national level. So the law defines the powers of state bodies in the space sector, introduces a licensing mechanism, regulates issues of liability and sets out the legal framework for the use of the results of space activities. So I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that space data have already become a particular tool for strengthening the rule of law in our country. So Today, these data are being used by law enforcement bodies in resolving land disputes, combating unlawful land use, and identifying elements of the shadow economy. Distinguished colleagues, alongside the development of national legislation, Uzbekistan is also consistently integrating into the system of international space law. Our accession to the 1967 treaty became an important starting point for Uzbekistan's gradual integration into the broader system of multilateral space law instruments. So at present, active work is underway on the ratification of three major international agreements and conventions. So they are the 1968 agreement, 1972 convention, and of course, 1975 convention. The ratification of this instrument is among Uzbekistan's priority tasks in the legal development of its space sector. So distinguished colleagues, the Republic of Uzbekistan remains open to cooperation, ready to exchange experience, and committed to making a constructive contribution to the further development of international space law. We highly value this subcommittee as an important platform for such cooperation. And once more, as Uzbekistan has been given the honor of hosting the International Astronautical Congress in 2028, I would like on behalf of our country and on behalf of our space agency of Uzbekistan to warmly invite you to visit our hospitable and friendly nation. Thank you. Thank you for your attention. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [1:27:55]: I thank the delegation of Uzbekistan. And now I give the floor to Ecuador. Ecuador [1:28:03]: Thank you very much, Chairman. First, congratulations from my delegation on your election as chair of the 65th session of the LSC. You can count on our cooperation as you carry out your tasks during this session. We would also like to thank the Secretariat for everything done for preparing and organizing this meeting. Chair, Ecuador reiterates its commitment to the use and exploration of outer space for exclusively peaceful purposes to benefit all, irrespective of the level of development. Here, universal, fair, non-discriminatory access must be the guiding principle for our discussions. in particular, given the growing involvement of the private sector. March 2025 was a significant landmark for our country and foreign policy as we acceded to the Convention on the Registry of Objects Launched into Outer Space, becoming, in so doing, State Party 77. This has formalized our commitment to international outer space law and the safety of outer space activities. As such, we have acceded to four of the five international treaties in this field. This is not just a symbolic step, but rather the foundation for the establishment of our own national registry for outer space objects, ensuring transparency and international accountability. When it comes to harmonizing laws, we'd like to see a strengthening of international cooperation to develop a national outer space law in line with international ones. Our priority is ensuring notification and registry in a meticulous manner of outer space objects so as to mitigate risks in orbital security. We reiterate that the use of outer space resources shouldn't clash with the principle of the non-appropriation stemming from the Treaty of 1967. Thus, shoring up this legal framework is a key step in ensuring that our future outer space activities are carried out in line with the highest of transparency and accountability standards. And finally, sir, we would like to share our vision as an equatorial state. Our geographical location puts us above the segments of the GSO. As such, we are a natural, efficient, and competitive hub for launching of spacecraft. In this regard, we'd like to invite the international community to cooperate in the development of infrastructure so as to draw upon this competitive advantage to benefit regional space development. Thank you. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [1:31:03]: I thank Ecuador for their statement and now I give the floor to the Netherlands. Netherlands (Kingdom of the) [1:31:10]: Mr. Chair, I thank you for giving me the floor. Distinguished delegates, Mr. Chair, at the outset, let me congratulate you, Mr. Chair, on your appointment as chair of this session of the Legal Subcommittee. I assure you of my delegation's full support in the conduct of our work. I would also like to express our sincere appreciation to the director, Ms. Arti Holamaini, and the secretariat for their continued dedication and hard work in preparation of this session, particularly under these challenging circumstances. Our thanks also go to the interpreters, whose indispensable efforts ensure that our discussions remain inclusive and effective across all languages. We welcome Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Honduras, Maldives, Malta and Zimbabwe as new members of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The Kingdom of the Netherlands aligns itself with the statement of the European Union, including its call for all states to comply with international law, and would like to state the following in its national capacity. The Kingdom of the Netherlands attaches great importance to this subcommittee and the development of international space law. We regret that liquidity constraints have led to a shortened session and hope this remains an exception. Mr Chair, cooperation remains key, not only to address current challenges but also to unlock the opportunities of future space exploration. The Artemis II mission represents an important step in pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight. As we move into new frontiers, initiatives such as the Artemis II mission demonstrate what can be achieved together. In this spirit, As a signatory to the Artemis Accords, the Kingdom of the Netherlands is pleased to have made a small contribution to this mission through the provision of solar panel technology by Airbus Netherlands. Cooperation also entails the continued involvement of academic expertise and practitioners. We would therefore like to thank the International Institute of Space Law and the European Centre for Space Law for the successful organisation of the Symposium on Legal Approaches to Space Safety and Sustainability. We regret that the symposium could not benefit from full interpretation due to the liquidity crisis. To ensure the participation of all and in support of multilingualism, we hope that also this is only temporary. Mr Chair, My delegation would like to take this opportunity to mark the issues that are of particular importance to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. First, under agenda item six, we would place particular importance on the adherence to and development of international space law as reflected in the five United Nations space treaties. Ratification of all five treaties would allow a more consolidated corpus of law. But this should be complemented by non-binding instruments guiding states in their behaviour in outer space. The Artemis Accords are an important example of such instruments, as they promote cooperation, the sharing of information and convergence of regulation in areas where such is needed. The same applies to the development of the recommended principles for space resources activities. Second, in view of the importance of a peaceful, safe and sustainable use of outer space, I will recall the stance of my government regarding a comprehensive approach to this matter. This would mean that space traffic management, space debris reduction and small satellite regulation could be considered together. A regulatory framework could be designed to ensure that our present activities in outer space are conducted sustainably and in such a manner so as to not prevent future generations from the benefits of outer space. This subcommittee should dedicate sufficient time to the development of the requisite binding or non-binding frameworks to achieve these goals. With that, Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, I thank you for your kind attention. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [1:35:15]: Thank you to the Netherlands for their statement. And now I give the floor to Kenya. Kenya [1:35:24]: Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, Allow me to begin by congratulating you on your election as chair of the 65th session and assure you of my delegation's full support as you guide our deliberations. We also extend our profound appreciation to Mr. Santiago for the excellent manner in which he steered the work of the 63rd and 64th sessions. We also extend our gratitude to the Secretariat for their excellent efforts in organizing this session and for their continued work support to the work of this subcommittee. Kenya aligns itself with the statements delivered by the Group of 77 and China, as well as the Africa Group, and I wish to add the following remarks in our national capacity. Kenya reaffirms its strong commitment to the peaceful use of outer space and underscores the five United Nations space treaties remain the cornerstone of global space governance. We commend UNOSA for its continued efforts to advance the implementation of these treaties, including through last year's UN Conference on Space Law and Policy. At the same time, we recognize that space activities are evolving rapidly, driven by technological innovation and the growing participation of diverse actors. It is therefore essential that space law and policy keep pace with these developments to ensure this safe and sustainable use of outer space while fully considering the needs and capacities of all countries. In this regard, we welcome further initiatives aimed in this direction, including the sharing of information on activities by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations on space law as scheduled under item agenda five of this of this session Mr chair in enhancing the implementation of the outer space treaties Kenya is cultivating a specialized cadre of legal professionals in space law in this effort the Kenya Space Agency in collaboration with the Kenya Judiciary hosted the national rounds of the Manfred Lach Space Law Moot Court competition on the 18th of March 2026 bringing together 10 university teams in rigorous sessions that showcased expertise in space and international law. These students will form a critical mass of future space law experts that will undoubtedly strengthen Kenya's role in global space governance. Mr. Chair, Kenya affirms that outer space resources are shared heritage of human kind. and that their exploration and utilization ought to be carried out in a manner that promotes equity and benefits all nations. In this respect, Kenya takes note of the draft set of recommended principles for space resource activities and welcomes the ongoing work of the working group on the legal aspect of space resource activities. We underscore that any future legal framework governing the exploration and utilization of space resources must be consistent with international law and uphold the established principles governing space activities. That said, Kenya also reaffirms that the geostationary orbit is a limited natural resource that must be used rationally and equitably, taking into account the needs of developing countries. Kenya remains deeply concerned by the spread of space debris and its impact on the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. In this regard, we wish to underscore that international cooperation remains essential to supporting the voluntary implementation of these guidelines, particularly for developing countries. Mr. Chair, the breadth and complexity of the agenda before the subcommittee highlight the vital role of both the committee and UNOSA in promoting the peaceful and equitable use of outer space for the benefit of all. all humankind. In this regard, Kenya reiterates its call for allocation of commensurate resources to enable the office to effectively fulfill its mandate, particularly in delivering technical support to developing countries. As such, we share the views that priorities of developing countries related to capacity building and space for development are given due consideration in future sessions of the subcommittee. Kenya celebrates the efforts and achievements of UNOSA in promoting international cooperation and the adoption of space technologies and applications through its access to space for all initiatives. In a landmark regional collaboration, Egypt, Kenya, and Uganda jointly participated in the development of the climate camera payload, which is now hosted on the International Space Station. This regional project has enabled the participating countries to enhance their capacity to co-develop space grade products adhere to international space standards and comply with mission and contractual requirements. This milestone not only strengthens African regional ties, but also builds momentum as the Africa Space Agency moves towards full operational maturity. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, I wish to conclude by reaffirming Kenya's steadfast commitment to the peaceful use of outer space. for the benefit of all humankind. Thank you. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [1:40:52]: I thank Kenya for their statement and now I give the floor to Thailand. Thailand [1:41:00]: Mr. Chair, Excellency, distinguished delegate. It is the first time the delegation of Thailand takes the floor. We wish to extend our warmest congratulations to you, Mr Chair, on your election to preside over the 65th session of the Legal Subcommittee. We assure you of our full cooperation and support in ensuring a successful and productive session. Our appreciation also goes to the Director of the UNOOSA and the Secretariat for the excellent preparatory work. Thailand expresses our support for the organization of UNISPACE-4 in 2027, envisioning it as a pivotal catalyst for the evolution of global outer space governance. Mr. Chair, Thailand is pleased to co-sponsor the working paper entitled Assessing Legal and Policy Aspects of Space Traffic and Focusing Consensus on the Way Forward presented by Germany. We emphasize the need for the LSC to collaborate closely with the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee on the matter of space traffic management. Such synergy is essential to ensuring the UN's corpus remain the primary international mechanism for maintaining the safety and long-term sustainability of space operations. As orbital activity intensify, synergy between the LSC and STSC is no longer merely advisable, it is a functional imperative. Thailand recognizes the importance of clear and predictable international legal framework governing space activity. Thailand currently undertaking internal process toward possible accession to the Library Convention with it under consideration at the national policy level prior to submission to the cabinet. As part of our effort to strengthen legal certainty and responsible conduct in space activity. While Thailand has not yet initiated formal accession to the legislation convention, we have taken practical steps consistent with the principle, including the registration of our earth observation satellite, the OS and the OS2 with the UNOSA register. These reflect Thailand's commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible behavior in outer space. Mr. Chair, Thailand emphasizes that providing legal certainty is fundamental to the sustainable growth of the space sector. To this end, the definition and delimitation of outer space remain a functional necessity for emerging space nations. facilitate the development of clear and effective domestic legislation. In this same spirit of legal clarity and humanity, it extends its reach toward the Moon and other celestial bodies. Thailand reaffirms that these regions are the province of all mankind. We call for a robust multilateral framework that ensures equitable benefit sharing, preventing the monopolization of celestial resources, and ensures that exploration serves the collective progress of all nations, regardless of their level of economic or scientific development. Finally, Mr. Chair, Hellen emphasized the necessity of enhanced cooperation between UN COPUOS and the ITU. A cohesive link between the two bodies is vital to ensuring the outer space remains a secure and accessible global common. Thailand remains a commitment partner in this effort, dedicated to a law-based order that serves the collective interests of humanity. I thank you, Mr. Chair. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [1:45:22]: I thank the delegation of Thailand for their statement, and now I give the floor to Guatemala. Guatemala [1:45:30]: Chair, the delegation of Guatemala would like to express its acknowledgement and congratulations to Pablo Arrocha of Mexico for chairing this legal subcommittee. And my delegation would like to thank Ms. Arti Holamaine, Director of UN USA and the Secretariat for preparing this meeting. Guatemala associates itself with the statement made by India on behalf of G77 and China and would like to make the following comments in its national capacity. Chair, Guatemala reaffirms that COPUOS and its two subcommittees are the main multilateral fora to strengthen international cooperation in space affairs as well In this sense, my delegation highlights the relevance of the legal subcommittee in the promotion of common comprehension regarding the application of international law to space activities, both current and emerging. Guatemala is committed to the development of space activities. currently considering joining fundamental space instruments, including the treaty on the principles governing the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space, the convention on the registry of objects launched into outer space, and the agreement on activities on the moon and other celestial bodies. Guatemala would also like to highlight the importance of developing a a suitable domestic legal framework. I would like to say that we are considering setting up a secretariat for space affairs to have an institutional and regulatory basis for space activities at national level. Guatemala considers that international cooperation is an essential element to ensure that all states, especially developing countries, can benefit from the opportunities stemming from the use of outer space. In this regard, we encourage states with greater space capacity and UN OOSA to continue fostering initiatives for technical cooperation, technology transfer and capacity building. My delegation would like to highlight the importance of guaranteeing equitable access to outer space in line with international law so that all states can participate in space activities and benefit from their applications. Guatemala also believes that we have to continue to deal with challenges regarding long-term sustainability of outer space activities, including an increase in space debris, managing space traffic and the responsible use of space resources. And finally, Guatemala reaffirms its commitment to preserving outer space as a sphere for the benefit of the whole of humanity and reiterates the importance of it being used for exclusively peaceful purposes for the interest of all states. Thank you. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [1:48:38]: I thank Guatemala for that statement and now I give the floor to Canada. Canada [1:48:44]: Canadian delegation would like to welcome you as the chair to the Legal Subcommittee for its 65th session. Rest assured that our delegation is ready to actively engage in the issues relevant to the peaceful exploration and use of outer space today. Canada also commends the Secretariat and the Director of the Office of Outer Space Affairs for all its hard work preparing for this session. Your efforts are sincerely appreciated. Chair, distinguished delegates. The four core United Nations treaties on outer space, the Outer Space Treaty, the Rescue and Return Agreement, Liability Convention, and Registration Convention, established the legal framework for the peaceful exploration use of outer space, which has flourished as a result. All states are now affected by outer space activities, and therefore, all states should be operating under a common legal framework to promote the safety, security, and sustainability of outer space activities now and in the future. Canada calls upon all member states of COPUOS to become party to the four core United Nations treaties on outer space and to promote universal adherence to these treaties, which is essential for ensuring that humanity continues to enjoy the benefits that outer space activities can deliver. One of the core features of the Outer Space Treaty is international cooperation. Canada participates extensively in cooperative space activities with many states through formal treaties and non-binding arrangements. the recent launch of the Artemis two mission is an example of that cooperation. This mission represents decades of collaboration and trust between international partners. European Space Agency provided the European service module powering the NASA provided Orion spacecraft. While Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen served as mission specialist alongside his American colleagues, making marking the first time a Canadian, a woman and a person of color journey to the moon. International cooperation, such as the Artemis II mission, while strongly encouraged by the Outer Space Treaty, remains a voluntary endeavor based on agreements or arrangements concluded between participants. The Declaration on International Cooperation adopted by the UN General Assembly repeatedly explains that all aspects of cooperation occur only on a mutually acceptable basis. The historic success of the Artemis II mission underscores the relevance of such mutually beneficial cooperation. but also the timeliness of the work being undertaken by the Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultation to the further development of inclusive, transparent and predictable approaches to consultation and coordination related to lunar activities. On this note, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the co-chairs of ADLAC. We are committed to working with Member States to ensure its success. Voluntary, non-binding instruments among participating States, such as the Artemis Accords, can also be complementary to the work of the subcommittee and demonstrate how states can advance shared principles, including transparency, interoperability and responsible behaviors through practical cooperation. Chair, distinguished delegates, this session of the LSC takes place in the context of the liquidity crisis. However, this need not hinder our efforts to address the most pressing issues facing exploration use of outer space today. Over the last few sessions of the LSC, three topics have attracted the most attention and discussion. Space debris mitigation remediation, space traffic coordination, and space resource activities. This session can make the most of the time available by focusing discussions on these issues and elaborating a clear direction for future action. Space resource activities and space traffic coordination benefit from working or study groups. States should ensure that these groups benefit from sufficient time and good faith participation to make progress. regarding space debris, the legal issues of debris deserve more attention and discussion. Canada is prepared to engage in such discussions with the objective of reaching a common understanding that will promote development of these important activities in the future. Outer space has been a constant symbol of cooperation and peace, where nations set aside their differences for the sake of mutual achievement and the betterment of humanity through the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. Canada hopes that this spirit of cooperation and peace will continue to prevail, both in outer space and in this subcommittee. Thank you. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [1:53:03]: I thank Canada for their statement. And now I give the floor to South Africa. South Africa [1:53:16]: Thank you, Chairperson. We congratulate you on the chairship of this subcommittee we further Express our sincerest appreciation to the work carried out by the office of outer space Affairs under the leadership of Miss at holam and a dedicated team at the Secretariat for the outstanding preparation of this session South Africa's delegation align itself with the statement delivered by the Africa group and the Group of 77 and China. We pay homage to the new members of UNCOP/BS, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Honduras, Maldives, Malta, and Zimbabwe. Chair, South Africa reaffirms our commitment to multilateralism, solidarity, and international cooperation as a foundation for the governance of outer space. We underscore the central role of this subcommittee in advancing a fair, transparent and rules based legal framework that benefits all countries and the importance of upholding the principles of the Outer Space Treaty. South Africa emphasizes that outer space may not must not be used in ways that undermine international peace and security or advance narrow parochial interests at the expense of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We frown upon approaches that seek to undermine the developmental mandate of the committees, thereby weakening their inclusive and equitable role in supporting capacity building and advancement of the global south. South Africa therefore calls for a constructive and cooperative approach that safeguards the developmental character of the subcommittees and ensures that outer space activities serve the collective interest of all humanity. The peaceful uses of outer space are a common and shared responsibility for all of us, and we need to preserve this for current and future generation. South Africa continues to emphasize that the only way to ensure the long-term sustainability of outer space activities is through inclusive multilateralism with UN COPUOS serving as the primary focus forum for this purpose, thereby allowing equal access between all nations participating in outer space activities, irrespective of their level of development. It is unacceptable to put obstacles to nations seeking participation in outer space activities and wanting to be part of the governance thereof, as evidenced by the growth of UN COPAS membership over the last few years, particularly African states. Activities in outer space are increasingly being impacted upon by commercial operators, and it is for this reason that this committee continues to consider crucial developments of legal mechanisms to regulate the peaceful and responsible exploration and utilization of outer space. It is in this vein that South Africa knows the value of international cooperation in outer space, whether in current lunar exploration efforts such as Artemis or in the experience of the International Space Station. These examples show that cooperative space activities can advance science and our understanding of the space environment, strengthen shared capabilities, and contribute to the common benefit of humankind, including through greater knowledge of the moon and other celestial bodies. South Africa attaches importance to the items on the agenda of the legal subcommittee, as they reflect both enduring and emerging questions in international space law. The work of the subcommittee remains essential to ensuring that the legal framework governing outer space activities remain relevant, inclusive, and responsive to technological developments. However, South Africa is concerned that the current liquidity constraints in the UN system are impacting this important committee. They may affect equal participation and may also limit the continuity of capacity building support. Such constraints should not be allowed to undermine the inclusivity and legitimacy of multilateral space governance. Therefore, South Africa urges Member States and the Secretariat to find ways to ensure that the important work of this committee can be carried out in a manner consistent with its purpose, including relevance. Chair, new emerging and developing space-faring nations, as well as operators such as commercial companies and academic institutions are increasingly looking to UN COPUOS and importantly, this subcommittee for guidance. This committee is required to respond to real legal and operational challenges such as congestions on the earth orbits, space traffic management, space debris, equal access to geostationary orbit, the international law applicable to small satellites, and the growing participation of new and developing space actors. During this session, South Africa will be articulating its views on the range of these topics. Thank you, Chair. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [1:59:09]: Thank South Africa for their statement. And now I give the floor to El Salvador. El Salvador [1:59:15]: Thank you, Chair. The delegation of El Salvador would like to congratulate you on becoming the Chair for this session of the subcommittee. We would also like to thank the Director, Ati Holamini, and the Secretary of UNUSA for the efforts deployed in organizing this meeting, especially in the current context by the United Nations. El Salvador endorses the statement made by India on behalf of G77 and China and would like to add some comments in its national capacity. Our delegation reaffirms that outer space is is shared heritage of mankind and its exploration and use should be undertaken to the benefit of all states independently of their level of scientific, technical or economic development. El Salvador advocates for a strong international legal framework, one which is equitable and inclusive, able to respond to challenges and the reality of the growing space activities in the 21st century, with special attention to the needs of developing countries. In this spirit, El Salvador would like to highlight that the guiding principles of this subcommittee are the non-appropriation of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, universal, equitable, and non-discriminatory access to its benefits, the preservation of space for exclusively peaceful purposes and the long-term sustainability of space activities. El Salvador acknowledges that COPUOS and its two subcommittees are the pivotal multilateral fora of the UN system to comprehensively tackle legal, scientific and technical aspects of outer space. Without prejudice to this, it is important to identify synergies with other fora, especially those that deal with the prevention of an arms race in space. In this regard, El Salvador reaffirms that outer space should be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and that arming it is incompatible with the principles of international law. Space technologies are essential instruments which in our region make a tangible contribution to disaster management, food security and the connectivity of remote communities. We belief we should strengthen the mechanisms of technical cooperation and capacity building so that the benefits of space reach all countries. Our delegation will closely follow the debates on the legal aspects of space traffic management, space resources, space debris and the regime applicable to small satellites. Any new instrument or guideline should reflect the interests of all states and be drafted on base of consensus and respect for the principles of international law. Chair, El Salvador is party to three of the five UN treaties on outer space. and will continue to evaluate the steps to progress towards full adhesion. We reaffirm our support to soft law instruments adopted within the framework of COPUOS as an essential complement to the prevailing legal regime. El Salvador. highlights the importance of reaching consensus in the Commission's reports and those of its subcommittees and it maintains its commitment to multilateral work to consolidate a legal regime in space. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [2:03:23]: Thank you. Thank you very much. Now would like to give the floor to India. India [2:03:32]: The Indian delegation congratulates you on your leadership as the chair of the 65th session of legal subcommittee and assures you our full cooperation for the successful conduct of the session. India continues to support the office for outer space affairs and the committee on the peaceful uses of outer space in promoting the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space. The Indian delegation takes note on the ongoing issues related to liquidity crisis of UNOOSA and the subsequent impact on the overall session duration, including the present one. Chair, India remains firmly committed to the core United Nations space treaties, including the Outer Space Treaty, the Rescue Agreement, the Liability Convention and the Registration Convention, and in its implementation of non-legally binding instruments such as the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines and the Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of the outer space activities. These instruments continue to guide India's national practices, mission authorization and operational planning, including for emerging mission types and an expanding set of non-governmental space activities. Chair, the measures implemented under India's Debris Free Space Mission initiative have been strengthened across recent launch campaigns. The successful GSLV-F16 NISAR mission on 30 July 2025, as well as the LVM3-M5 CMS-03 and LVM3-M6 BlueBird-6 missions launched on 2 November and 24 December 2025 respectively, incorporated strict passivation of upper stages to minimize the potential for accidental explosion. Earlier missions such as PSLV-C58 Exploset, which used for its PS4 stage as an orbital experimental module before lowering it to a short-lived orbit, provided important operational experience for these efforts. Lessons from such missions are systematically fed back into design and operations to improve post-mission disposal reliability. zero system for safe and sustainable development operation management serves as the nodal system for implementing DFSM evaluating progress and coordinating activities related to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. Chair, this period has also seen continued growth in India's space ecosystem, particularly in the participation of non-governmental entities operating under the Indian Space Policy 2023. The designated national body Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center that is also called NSPACE for authorizing and continuing supervision functions as a single window mechanism for approval, technical interface and regulatory oversight, including space debris mitigation and space traffic consideration. Around 126 space activities are authorized by NSPACE ensuring compliance with India's obligation to OST and other UN conventions. This ensures that India's space activities remain consistent with safety, sustainability, and India's international commitments. India notes that the rapid increase in launches, rideshare missions, and small satellite operations globally raises issues of congestion and potential collision, especially in heavily used orbital regions. India therefore emphasizes clear registration practices and timely orbital and contact information for all space objects, including those on multi-payload launches and follows with interest the legal subcommittee's discussion on legal and policy aspects of space traffic related issues. India also attaches importance to ongoing work on the legal aspects of space resource activities and on the status and application of the United Nations space treaties, and supports inclusive consensus-based approaches that reflect the interest of developing countries. India reiterates its commitment to working with all member states to enhance the safety, security and long-term sustainability of outer space activities through implementation of existing treaties and guidelines and the development of additional measures as consensus emerges. Thank you, and distinguished delegates. I. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [2:08:00]: Thank the distinguished delegate of India for that statement and now give the floor to the distinguished delegate of Armenia. Armenia [2:08:08]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Let me begin by congratulating Mexico on assuming the chairmanship of the legal subcommittee. We would like to assure you of our full support and ongoing constructive cooperation. Armenia highly values the unique mandate of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and its subcommittees, which provide platforms dedicated exclusively to fostering international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space and strengthening its international legal regime. We recognize the importance of outer space being used solely for peaceful purposes and that all space activities must be conducted in conformity with international law. All states should bear international responsibility for their national space activities. In this regard, we emphasize the commitment set forth in the pact of the future to strengthen international frameworks to prevent the weaponization of outer space and ensure equitable access to its benefits. Armenia, as a country newly engaged in the development of its own space capabilities, is committed to advancing principles for safe, sustainable, transparent and reasonable space exploration and to expanding boundaries of human knowledge and technological capacity in outer space. Armenia underscores the importance of promoting support for developing countries through capacity building and access to space technologies. It is essential that the governance of space resources ensures equitable access for all states, guaranteeing the inclusion of the countries with emerging or limited space capabilities. We emphasize the value of the development of national space capabilities as an essential component of our sustainable development and technological progress, including by improving the understanding of environmental and climate challenges and supporting effective environmental protection strategies. Stressing the vital importance of strict adherence to effective implementation and further development of international space law, including applicable treaties, legal principles and norms that protect outer space, we reaffirm that all activities in outer space should be anchored in the principle of its peaceful use and conducted for the collective benefit of all countries and common good of humankind as a whole. I thank you. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [2:10:24]: I thank Armenia for their statement and now I give the floor to Paraguay. Paraguay [2:10:32]: Thank you very much, Chair. Good afternoon, dear delegates. Chair, on behalf of the Republic of Paraguay, please allow me to congratulate you on your leadership of this subcommittee and reiterate our strong commitment to the principles of international law applicable to outer space and its peaceful, responsible, and sustainable use for the benefit of all of humanity. Paraguay continues to consolidate its participation in the international space community since it established the Paraguayan Space Agency established through law 5151 in 2014 and then the development of its national space policy which acknowledges space law as a fundamental pillar to guide the development of our space activities. Through these mechanisms, Paraguay is contributing positively to strengthening the international legal regime that governs outer space in order to maximize the possibilities of international cooperation in space activities and to increase the benefits of the use of space science and technology. Over the last year, Paraguay has continued to strengthen its technical and institutional capacities in space. Our space agency is consolidating its specialized laboratories, including the Space System Engineering Laboratory, Space Lab, which will enable us to extend our national capacities in satellite engineering and to progress towards the launch of GuaraniSat-2 towards the end of this year. It is worth mentioning that the GuaraniSat-2 project is the direct result of a very strong network of international and national cooperation, as well as the strategic design between the government, academia and industry. Cooperation with international partners, including Japan through JICA and initiatives with Mexico, the US and Italy have meant knowledge transfer and access to specialised infrastructure and training of highly qualified human capital. I would also like to highlight the work carried out by the committee with regards to international law for small satellite activities and the management of space traffic. At national level, the work coordinated among public institutions, universities and the productive sector has led to a dynamic ecosystem of innovation, where applied research, technological development and academic training converge to make it possible to carry out space missions. This multi-sectoral international synergy strengthens Paraguay's own capacities in space and consolidates our country as an emerging benchmark in the peaceful use of outer space for sustainable development. On a parallel basis, Paraguay is continuing to increase the use of satellite data through the Earth Observation Laboratory and the Geographic Information Systems GeoLab, which has become consolidated as a strategic platform of our state to integrate geospatial information in the public decision-making, especially in agriculture, disaster risk management, environmental monitoring and territorial planning. Among recent progress, I would like to highlight the implementation of the Guarani Insights web platform for agricultural monitoring developed in cooperation with the Japanese company ArcEdge Space, the publication of the second edition of the GeoLab Atlas and the strengthening of the Heat Spots Monitoring Service, which provides daily information for the management of forest fires and environmental protection. With this progress, we are strengthening the importance of continuing to develop legal and governance frameworks to accompany the growth in space activities, especially in emerging space countries. Paraguay reaffirms the importance of the principles established in the treaty. on outer space, especially Article 6 regarding international responsibility by states for space activities carried out under their jurisdiction, including those carried out by non-governmental actors. In this regard, Paraguay reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of the guidelines for the long-term sustainability of space activities. These are a key instrument to promote a safe, stable and sustainable space environment for future generations. Therefore, I'd like to highlight the importance of exchanging information on legal mechanisms regarding methods to reduce and eliminate space debris. We believe it is essential to continue to promote equitable access to the benefits of outer space, especially for developing countries. strengthening international cooperation initiatives, knowledge transfer and capacity building. We would like to highlight the importance of continuing to examine regulations, policies, best practices and requirements at national and regional level for the management of space traffic, bearing in mind the interests of emerging space countries. We believe that strengthening international space law and multilateral cooperation are an essential condition to guarantee that outer space will continue to be used for peaceful purposes and for the benefit of the whole of humanity. Finally, the Republic of Paraguay reiterates its commitment to the work of this subcommittee and to strengthening space global governance. Thank you. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [2:16:39]: I thank Paraguay for that statement. And now I give the floor to New Zealand. New Zealand [2:16:47]: Thank you, Chair. We appreciate your leadership in guiding these discussions, and we recognize the work of the Secretariat, whose efforts are essential. In enabling our work. Chair, New Zealand congratulates the US and Canadian delegations on the recent Artemis II mission. As space exploration once again extends beyond Earth orbit, the importance of shared understanding and collective agreement on rules and norms assumes greater importance. COPUOS remains central to this effort. New Zealand recognises the ambition of the Artemis programme and its contribution to advancing peaceful space exploration. We see value in mechanisms such as the Artemis Accords in supporting exchange among States, alongside the essential multilateral work of COPUOS. Chair, Ensuring the peaceful use of outer space is a fundamental element of maintaining international peace and security and requires all States to act in accordance with their international legal obligations. New Zealand continues to update its national space regulatory regime under the Outer Space and High Altitude Activities Act. In 2025, amendments to the Act established a new authorisation regime for ground-based space infrastructure located in New Zealand. This regime is designed to manage risks to national interests, including national security, which remain proportionate and responsive to the diverse range of ground-based activities that support space operations. These updates reflect New Zealand's commitment to implementing international rules and norms at a national level and to ensuring that activities under our jurisdiction are conducted in a safe, sustainable, responsible, and peaceful manner. Amendments to the relevant regulations are now under consideration to give full effect to this regime. These regulations are designed to minimise compliance costs, while ensuring regulators have access to the information necessary to manage risks effectively. Finally, Chair, New Zealand reiterates its commitment to working constructively and efficiently to ensure that COPUOS continues to play its central role in supporting the development of norms, rules and norms that keep outer space accessible to all. Thank you, Chair. Chair [2:19:15]: I thank New. Zealand for their statement. And now I give the floor to Mexico. Mexico [2:19:27]: Chair, distinguished delegates, Mexico would like to begin by congratulating you on your election, and we would also like to extend Our congratulations to Panama, who will be chairing next year. My delegation acknowledges the work of Professor Santiago Ripoll of Spain and the progress made under his chairmanship. In this session of the Legal Subcommittee, We will be able to reinforce the role of this organisation in the development of space law, international cooperation and the sustainability of space. outer space activities, we acknowledge the progress made by the working groups on the situation and implementation of the five space treaties and on the legal aspects of activities linked to space resources, as well as the results of the ATLAS. We would like to highlight the value of consultations on legal and regulatory aspects of the management of space debris, one of the most pressing challenges we are facing to guarantee the sustainability of activities in space and the benefits for future generations. In this context, we would like to recall the relevance of the working group on the definition and delimitation of outer space. The regulatory development in outer space needs conceptual clarity to strengthen the legal certainty of those activities, and it means we can avoid erroneous interpretations or contravening international space law. The tools and mechanisms that are being developed by the working groups and those which already exist should continue to be worked upon with the nucleus of international space law, especially the space treaty. The principles of freedom of exploration and use, non-appropriation, peaceful uses, international cooperation and for the benefit of all continue to be the cornerstone for the use and exploration of outer space, which is shared heritage of mankind. As we see an increase in the number of countries and private enterprises that participate in space activities, it is more pressing than ever to foster the effective implementation of the treaties and other binding and non-binding instruments that enable us to respond to the rapid evolution of activities in space, including those linked to space resources. We don't just have the urgent responsibility to guarantee the sustainability of outer space activities, but also to establish the conditions for those benefits to be distributed equitably and for the greater benefit of all of humanity. Mexico stresses that international cooperation guided by transparency and mutual assistance is essential for space activities to benefit all countries without distinction of their degree of development. To conclude, no state alone can determine how we should tackle the challenges we have regarding activities in outer space. Full respect of the five treaties is the essential premise for global space governance based on equity, cooperation, legal certainty and the peaceful use of outer space. Thank you. Chair [2:23:21]: I thank Mexico, which was the last speaker on our list. However, Israel has requested a right of reply in this debate, so I will give the floor to Israel. reminding delegations that a member state cannot request a right of reply more than twice on the same subject on the same agenda item Israel you have the floor. Israel [2:24:05]: Thank you chair we take the right of reply to the Iranian regime's delegate. Speaker 55 [2:24:11]: 60. Israel [2:24:12]: To undermine this forum with disinformation and selective omissions of facts while twisting international legal frameworks and terms beyond recognition. Any statement by the representative of this regime should be recognized for what it is, a cynical manipulation of this forum and a misuse of legal terminology in an attempt to obscure its own violations of fundamental principles of international law, not to mention the rights of its own population. In fact, in an almost unbelievable statement, the regime which closed the internet for 45 days now and only allows regime members to use it in order to spew propaganda on international news stations speaks about civilian communication access. That's preposterous. Israel faces deliberate and indiscriminate attacks by the Iranian terror regime and its regional proxies. Dozens of missiles, including cluster munition and UAVs, were launched daily from Iran and its terror partners, like Hezbollah, directed against the civilian population and civilian infrastructure, demonstrating their desire to maximize casualties. Moreover, Iran's launch of missiles and UAVs toward 14 other states was a transparent attempt to ignite an all-out regional war. This aggression extended to a major assault on the global energy market, including attacks on critical infrastructure and the illegal disruption of maritime security through the cynical extortion of states as well as illegal attacks on merchant ships. In general, it is well known that Iran's space program has long been used as a cover for the regime's ambition to enhance and test its ballistic missiles while attempting to circumvent international sanctions. Iran has spent years expanding ballistic missile arsenal now capable, as we've seen recently, of reaching targets within 4,000 kilometers range. Israel will continue to defend its citizens in full accordance with international law, while remaining committed to the peaceful and responsible uses of outer space. Thank you, Chair. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [2:26:27]: I thank the delegation of Israel. And now I give the floor to the Islamic Republic of Iran for their right of reply. Iran (Islamic Republic of) [2:26:39]: Thank you, Chair. The Israeli regime has no standing to lecture us about international law. This regime is the main threat to international peace and security. Its dark record of aggression, occupation, genocide, violations of the principles of morality and humanity and material breaches of international law and international humanitarian law speaks for itself. This regime has carried out attacks on civilian infrastructures, including space centers, schools, universities, hospitals, bridges, railways, and residential areas. In Iran. In the silence of the international community, this regime has continued its war crimes and has become increasingly emboldened. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [2:27:35]: I thank the Islamic Republic of Iran. I see no further requests to take the floor. So that concludes our consideration of agenda item four, general exchange of views. Let us now go on to item five, distinguished delegates. information on the activities of international intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations relating to space law. On the list of speakers, I have first the International Organization of Space Communications. You have the floor. InterSputnik [2:28:28]: Mr. Chair. Thank you for giving me the floor and congratulations on your election to this responsible position. Distinguished delegates, it is my privilege to make this statement on behalf of InterSputnik, an intergovernmental organization that is engaged in space law related activities in cooperation with its member states and signatories and with other governmental and non-governmental organizations. To strengthen collaboration in space activities among permanent observers to COPUOS and to support capacity building in their member states, in May 2025, InterSputnik and the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization signed a memorandum on cooperation. In March this year, a space cooperation scientific conference was held in Mongolia, which is a member of both organizations. The event was convened by the Mongolian Academy of Science to mark the 45th anniversary of the joint Soviet Mongolian space flight. Within the conference, Inter Sputnik organized a session on space policy, space law, and capacity building. Following the event, the co-organizers signed a trilateral memorandum to further develop cooperation. As a member of the International Astronautical Federation, also a permanent observer to COPUOS, Intersputnik participated in the International Astronautical Congress in September-October 2025, including the colloquium on the law of outer space. Later in October, it joined global activities marking World Space Week. In November last year, Intersputnik attended the UN Conference on Space Law and Policy organized by UNOSA, contributing to discussions on legal aspects of emerging space operations. Intersputnik supports efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. It closely follows work within the scientific and technical subcommittee of COPUOS and in addition contributes to related discussions within the International Telecommunication Union. This includes participation in the Space Sustainability Forum held in October 2025 and in the development of the handbook on best practices for the sustainable use of frequencies and associated non geostationary orbits. Inter Sputnik's input reflects practical experience and highlights the role of the UN treaties on outer space as a legal basis for sustainable space activities. Inter Sputnik also promotes capacity building in space law through internship program offering young professionals practical experience in the application of international space law. Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates, I thank you for your kind attention. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [2:31:18]: I thank the Inter. Sputnik for their statement. And now I give the floor to the Lunar Policy Platform Foundation. Thank you, Chair. LPP [2:31:31]: I will provide a brief update on the activities of the Lunar Policy Platform, LPP, related to space law. With gratitude to our trusted partner, the Open Lunar Foundation, last year we produced three groundbreaking reports advancing lunar policy worldwide. First, we developed a Lunar Information Sharing One-on-One to clarify common ground between all actors on core elements of lunar information sharing and foster the development of guiding principles and streamlined practices. Key takeaways from the lunar information sharing one-on-one can be found in the CRP issued under this agenda item for consideration by member states as relevant and appropriate within the context of ongoing discussions on Article 11 of the Outer Space Treaty. Second, we developed a guide to lunar science and ethics to identify scientific, cultural, and ethical interest in lunar activities, gather views on due regard, and suggest foundational principles and procedures for a balanced approach. Third and final, we released the second edition of our Lunar Policy Snapshot, a unique document capturing lunar developments, outlining stakeholder views, analyzing the policy ecosystems, and forecasting key implications for the future. In 2025, we also organized online and in-person events dedicated to lunar policy. Together with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, KARI, and the Korea Aerospace Administration, CASA, We hosted an online series of expert seminars to raise awareness and develop a better understanding of key issues for safe and sustainable lunar activities. The series featured nearly 300 participants from over 30 countries, fostering capacity building worldwide. Together with the Royal Astronomical Society and in partnership with the UK Space Agency, we hosted the first lunar community building workshop in London. This intimate event featured 50 participants across the UK space sector and fostered open discussions to identify synergies and promote cooperation. After becoming fully independent and establishing our two legal entities in 2026, we're scaling up our impact in collaboration with new partners worldwide. First, we are conducting global consultations on the legal and policy aspects of lunar nuclear reactors. Second, on March 9th this year, together with the University of Tokyo, we co-hosted a space law and policy symposium on space resource activities. This event brought together 150 participants from the Japanese space community, fostering insightful discussions on shaping space resources governance. Third and final, on May 20, together with AIAA, we will co-host the Global Leaders Space Exploration Forum, convening a curated group of space agencies, industry leaders, and policy officials to foster strategic alignment on space exploration. We hope this reporting will be useful to the delegation, and thank you very much for your kind attention. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [2:34:19]: I thank the LPP, and now I give the floor to the International Institute of Space Law. IISL [2:34:36]: Distinguished Chair, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, the purposes and objectives of the International Institute of Space Law include the promotion of the further development of space law and the expansion of the rule of law in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, the holding of meetings, colloquia and competitions, the preparation of studies and reports, the publication of books and position papers, and cooperation with appropriate international organizations and national institutions. Founded in 1960 as an independent non-governmental organization, the IASL is composed of members from more than 50 countries on all continents, comprising government. Agency, academia, industry, and private practice. The IISL continues to engage with issues of relevance to UN COPUOS in the area of space law. During its annual colloquia, the institute strives to address topics that are of real interest to all space actors. IISL's commitment to capacity building is implemented through its annual Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition organized since 1992. These are a few highlights of our activities over the past year. During this year's legal subcommittee, the Institute, along with the CSL, has organized a highly informative symposium on the topic, legal approaches for a safe space environment. The symposium incorporated global perspectives that examine how space law can continue to be advanced and developed. The 68th ISL colloquium on the law of outer space was held as part of the 76th International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, Australia last year. A number of topics covered in the colloquium were of direct relevance on the work of UNCOPUOS as a whole, including sessions on space sustainability or climate change and space activities. Additionally, the annual IAAIISL Scientific Legal Roundtable was held on issues related to the coordination and management of lunar activities. Last but not least, the world final of the Manfred. Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition was presided over by three sitting judges of the International Court of Justice, and the winning team was the New York University. The 20th Eileen Galloway Symposium on Critical Issues in Space Law was held in Washington, DC in December 2025. featuring panels on space sustainability, resource utilization, and international cooperation. The ISL presented several awards to distinguished members of the space law community. These include the Distinguished. Service Award to Masahiko Sato, Young Achiever Awards to Olga Stelmach-Dresser, Gina Petrovici, and Leticia Cesari, Certificates of Gratitude to Martha Mejia-Kaiser, Yao Zhang, and Narkhanim Uruchova, and the Dietrich-Ferschl Award to Thomas Graham. In conclusion, Mr. Chair, the IISL is honored to cooperate with COPUOS and subsidiary bodies in the further development of space law. Certain areas that may require legal regulation may need the preparatory work that IISL might be able to carry out. For the consideration of COPUOS. The IISL will be honored to continue to be of assistance. Thank you, Mr. Chair. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [2:38:04]: I thank. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the AAI SL for their statement. And now I give the floor to the Moon Village Association. MVA [2:38:13]: It is an honor for the Moon Village Association as an observer member to address this session of the legal subcommittee. As the MVA delegation takes the floor for the first time, we would like to congratulate you as the new chair for this subcommittee. Under your wise leadership, we believe that important results will be achieved in 2026. and her team for the excellent operation of this meeting. Mr. Chair, MVA is the oldest and most complete global lunar organization fostering peaceful cooperation and supporting UN COPUOS. MVA created the global expert group on sustainable lunar activities in 2021, now in its operational phase engaging over 100 experts from more than 40 countries. The activities are related to lunar environmental protection, technical coordination, as well as multi-stakeholder coordination. For the lunar environmental protection activities, the report titled "Application of the World Heritage Convention to Furthering Sustainable Natural and Cultural Heritage on the Moon" has been completed and is available for comments in the relevant MVA conference room paper. For technical coordination activities, the result of an interoperability webinar held in 2025 are presented, while new report dealing with specific standards will be produced by the end of the year with an even wider Global experts participation for the multi-stakeholder coordination activities the report titled a practical framework for effective cooperation will be published in May 2026 Gexla is continuously providing important contribution to copious and its Associated subcommittees and working groups including atlock as of this year Gexla will start to provide services related to lunar technical and governance issues. Delegations and observers not yet involved are welcome to join the group and inquire for services at gixla@moonvillageassociation.org. MVA together with IAU, COSPAR, and IAA considers urgent the issue of defining and managing lunar sites of special scientific interest. to balance the scientific and commercial activities for this reason reason the friends of SSI on the Moon has been created last year to involve to involve National delegations in preparing the relevant decisions Mr. chair MVA is pleased to inform delegations that the complete final report of the benefit sharing project is now available for comments in the relevant MVA conference room paper we would like to remind that benefit sharing is a Paramount importance in all space activities to involve as many countries as possible, in particular for space resources activities. Thank you for your attention. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [2:41:14]: I thank the MVA for their statement. And now I give the floor to the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law. UNIDROIT · Deputy Secretary-General [2:41:26]: Honorable Chair, distinguished panel, It is an honour to address the Legal Sub-Committee on behalf of UNIDROIT, in my capacity as the Deputy Secretary-General of the organisation. We express our sincere gratitude to the Chair, Director Artie Holamine, and the Secretariat for their dedicated work. We are pleased to reconfirm our commitment to our long-standing cooperation with UNOSA and this Committee during what is a momentous year for our organisation, as we celebrate our centenary. We were born in 1926. As the space market diversifies, the need for private financing, particularly for startups and SMEs, has never been greater. To support this growth, an efficient international financial ecosystem needs to be developed. The Cape Town Convention provides exactly this framework. With 90 state parties, it is one of the most successful commercial treaties in the world. Building on the massive success of the aircraft protocol, we have also seen significant momentum this past year for the rail protocol and for the mining, agricultural and construction protocols. Most importantly in the present context, the Space Protocol offers a tried and tested mechanism for asset-based financing. We are delighted to announce the major milestone of Paraguay's ratification, marking the first ratification of the Space Protocol, a significant step towards its entry into force. We observe growing attention to alternative financing techniques, including asset-based financing and project finance, to support private sector participation. To advance this, we have established a focus group on the implementation of the space protocol, chaired by Mr. Hamza Hamid. The group is currently developing a practice guide to provide transparency and predictability for both industry and governments, and of course we will hold a consultation event for this practice guide too. Honorable Chair, distinguished delegates, the Space Protocol entry into force requires 10 ratifications or accessions. We wish to bring the protocol to the attention of all Member States to consider ratification. By doing so, States can unlock widespread investment and foster technological innovation through a uniform legal regime. UNIDRA remains ready to offer support and guidance to all COPUOS members. We wish the Subcommittee every success in its deliberations. Thank you very much, Honorable Chair. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [2:44:19]: I thank you for that pre-recorded message. And now I give the floor to the European Space Agency. ECSL [2:44:34]: Dear Chair, distinguished delegates, on behalf of the European Center for Space Law, I thank you for the opportunity to address the subcommittee under this item. Established over 35 years ago within the framework of the European Space Agency, the Centre plays a key role in promoting understanding of space law and policy in Europe and beyond. Through its capacity building initiatives and interdisciplinary exchanges, the Centre fosters collaboration among academia, government, industry and international organisations. With the support of its network of national points of contact, the Centre also works to ensure that knowledge and opportunities in space law are shared widely. Allow me to highlight some recent initiatives as well as key activities planned for the coming period. Last week, the Centre organised the European rounds of the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court, hosted by the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland. The competition reached a record level of participation with 24 universities and more than 150 students and judges. The University of Utrecht emerged as the European champion and will represent Europe at the world finals to be held during the 2026 International Astronautical Congress in Antalya. The center encourages the implementation of international space law through dedicated symposia and expert forums. On 14 April, just yesterday, in the margin of the subcommittee's session in this very room, the annual IISL ECSL symposium brought together experts to discuss key challenges related to space safety and to exchange recommendations for a safe and sustainable space environment. Looking ahead, the Practitioners Forum to be held in June at the ESA headquarters in Paris, France, will convene legal and technical experts to examine the growing role of technical standards in space governance within the framework of international space law. Education and capacity building remain at the center's core. In September, the annual summer course on space law and policy hosted this year by the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, will provide students with a comprehensive introduction to international and national space law. This was, by the way, mentioned by Slovenia this morning, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Slovenia for hosting the ECSL summer course. In addition, the executive course on space law and regulations to be held in December at ESA's European Space Research and Technology Centre, ESTEC, in the Netherlands, will offer government and industry professionals a focused and practice-oriented overview of the legal frameworks governing space activities. Dear Chair, distinguished delegates, In the lead up to this 14th anniversary, the center is reflecting on its future direction and strategic vision with a few to further developing and strengthening its activities. In this spirit, the center looks forward to continuing and deepening its engagement with the space law communities as it takes its work forward. Thank you. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [2:48:18]: I thank the ESA and now I give the floor to the National Space Society. NSS [2:48:29]: The National Space Society is pleased to. Provide an update on its recent activities related to space law policy and international cooperation. NSS is an international non-governmental organization with global membership base and a broad network. Of stakeholders spanning academia, industry, government, and the public. Through its publications, events, and outreach of efforts, NSS engages a community of. Nearly a million members, subscribers, and participants worldwide who are interested in the future of space exploration, development, and governance. Our quarterly magazine, Ed Astra, along with our digital. Platforms and events, serves as a channel for disseminating analysis and fostering informed discussion on space policy issues. We are pleased to note that copies of the latest issue featuring the Artemis two mission are available just outside the boardroom. Over the past year, NSS has expanded its contributions to international space law and policy discussions at COP US and its subcommittees. NSS submitted multiple conference room papers and delivered statements and technical presentations across a wide range of agenda items. The works include on benefit sharing, disposal of large space objects, space degree mitigation, space traffic management, air and space delimitation, and dark and quiet skies for astronomy. In parallel, NSS has continued to publish policy papers addressing key issues in space law and governance, including large space object disposal, long-term strategies for space-based and lunar astronomy, in-situ resource utilization, and the future of low Earth orbit commercialization. These materials are publicly available at nss.org and are intended to support informed and constructive dialogue. Beyond COPUS, NSS continues to engage policymakers and the public. NSS is a founding member of the Alliance for Space Development, a coalition of non-governmental organizations focused on advancing long-term space development. Through this coalition, NSS participates in the annual March Storm advocacy event, which? Brings together stakeholders from across the space community for coordinated engagement with government representatives. NSS also has worked to increase public awareness of this committee. This includes a recent space news article published yesterday highlighting COPUOS as the central multilateral forum for space governance. NSS also organized a public podcast discussion featuring the director of UNOOSA, Arti Holomine. Which explored the role of the United Nations in space policy, sustainability, and legal frameworks, including the evolving challenges associated. With commercial space activities. Looking ahead, NSS is preparing for the International Space Development Conference 2026, which will include a dedicated. Track on space law and policy. Director Arti Holomine will deliver a keynote address, and the NSS will present the Space Pioneer. Award to UNOOSA in recognition of its longstanding contributions to international cooperation and the peaceful uses of outer space. NSS remains committed to supporting this committee in its essential role as the central. Forum for developing for the development of international space law and policy. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [2:51:43]: I thank NSS for their statement. That brings us to the end of the list of speakers for this agenda item. Before concluding and Bearing in mind we usually invite international intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations to report on their activities relating to space law, I would now like to ask the subcommittee if I can take it that the Subcommittee agrees that international, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations should once again be invited to report to the Subcommittee at its sixty-sixth session on their activities relating to space law. I see no objection. It is so decided. Didn't have a gavel this morning and now we have one and it's not the most exciting gavel, but at least there's a gavel now. So distinguished delegates, we have concluded agenda item five and now I will adjourn our meeting so that the Working Group on the Status and Application of the Five United Nations Treaties on Outer Space may hold its first meeting. Before that, I would like to inform delegations of our work schedule tomorrow morning. We will meet punctually at 10 a.m. and we will continue our consideration of agenda item four, general exchange of views. We will begin and hopefully suspend our consideration of agenda item six whilst we await the deliberations of the working group. Time permitting, We will begin our consideration of agenda item 7a, matters relating to the definition and delimitation of outer space. At the end of the meeting tomorrow morning, we will adjourn the plenary meeting so that the working group on the legal aspects of space resource activities can hold its first meeting. I would also like to inform delegates that the informal consultations on legal and policy aspects of space traffic management will be held tomorrow morning in conference room CR7 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in person. Now I would like to give the floor to the Secretariat to provide information on side events. UNOOSA · Secretariat [2:55:09]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. Distinguished delegates, I would like to inform distinguished delegates that this evening, a side event will be held outside of the Vienna International Centre at the European Space Policy Institute. The event is entitled Enabling Utilization, Preserving Science, Lunar Policy Options to Promote Alignment. This event will be organized by the European Space Policy Institute 30 to 10 o'clock at night. Also tomorrow morning from nine o'clock to 9:55, there will be a joint side event organized by the United Kingdom and also the Office for Outer Space Affairs. The event is entitled Science Preservation on the Moon, Balancing Scientific Value, Access, and Responsible Conduct. This event will take place in conference room three on the seventh floor of this building and also via virtual connection. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. COPUOS · Chair · Pablo Arrocha [2:56:12]: I thank the Secretariat for that information. So on that understanding, I will now invite Ms. Franziska Knoog, Chair of the Working Group on the Status and Application of the Five United Nations Treaties on Outer Space, to hold its first meeting. And dear delegates, we will, we're now adjourning our meeting until 10am tomorrow.