🇺🇳 #BREAKING Heads of State from 193 countries just agreed the Pact for the Future. It notes the importance of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (#COPUOS) to address active debris removal, space traffic & space resources, & encouraged a #UNISPACEIV conference in 2027.
COPUOS’ work, over the last 65 years to deliver global space governance, underpins today’s global space economy & is evolving to respond to the urgent needs concerning space sustainability & solutions.
👀 Here’s what the Pact says about the peaceful uses of space:
🌐 We will strengthen international cooperation for the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes and for the benefit of all humanity.
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 identifies outer space as the province of all humankind. Humanity’s reliance on space is increasing day-by-day and the Outer Space Treaty must be recognized as the cornerstone of the international legal regime governing outer space activities. We are living through an age of increased access and activities in outer space. The growth in the number of objects in outer space, the return of humans to deep space, and our expanding reliance on outer space systems demands urgent action. Safe and sustainable use of space plays a critical role in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. The opportunities for people and planet are enormous, but there are also risks that must be managed. We encourage the COPUOS to further consult on the proposal to hold a fourth United Nations Conference on the Peaceful Exploration of Outer Space (UNISPACE IV) in 2027. We decide to:
a) Reaffirm the importance of the widest possible adherence to and full compliance with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and discuss the establishment of new frameworks for space traffic, space debris, and space resources through the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
b) Invite the engagement of relevant private sector, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders, where appropriate and applicable, to contribute to intergovernmental processes related to the increased safety and sustainability of outer space.
♻️🛰 What next for #SpaceSustainability? #UNOOSA is:
1️⃣ Supporting States on the implentation of space law, policy & governance (see case studies here: https://lnkd.in/eRhgzVQP)
2️⃣ Leveraging industry experience to inform deliberations of COPUOS on STM, ADR, etc, to ensure delegates can better respond to proposals
3️⃣ Levelling the playing field in terms of understanding the components of STM through capacity-building for Member States
4️⃣ Completing, updating, & making operationally relevant the list of Points of Contacts started in 2019 pursuant to the LTS Guidelines
5️⃣ Convening operational experts from industry & government to develop a shared understanding of needs & possible consensus
6️⃣ Working to secure a market for ADR to incentivise investment, scale solutions, & stimulate interaction on associated issues such as cost
#OurCommonFuture
