Debate on Disarmament Aspects of Outer Space Exposes First Committee Rift over Ways to Sustain Space Security, Prevent Domain’s Weaponization
Members Begin Wide-Ranging Discussion on Conventional Weapons, Hearing from Major Groups of States
Positions hardened over two competing approaches to preventing an outer space arms race — one promoting responsible behaviours through voluntary commitments and the other calling for an early start of negotiations on a legally binding instrument — as the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) concluded its thematic debate on the subject today.
Canada’s representative was among those who recognized such divisions over the way forward. “This ongoing division only serves to perpetuate the deadlock in space disarmament deliberations,” she warned. The treaty process is long. Given that, practical steps, such as establishing norms of responsible behaviours, are necessary. The norms and principles could become legally binding international law in the future, she added.
New Zealand’s speaker agrees and supports the United Kingdom-led draft resolution (document A/C.1/78/L.15) calling for the establishment of a further two-year open-ended working group in 2025-2026 to build on the work of its predecessor. He is concerned with the Russian-led proposal (document A/C.1/78/L.55) calling for the establishment of a separate four-year working group focused on a legally binding instrument to address the risk of space conflict.
The representative of the United States urged delegations to vote against “L.55”, saying its passage would create a “divisive, duplicative, narrowly-focused” new open-ended working group. Italy’s representative said that a “parallel process” would be counterproductive and put an enormous strain on the already busy disarmament calendar.
Supporting the notion of a legally binding instrument to protect space security was China’s representative, who advocated advancing those negotiations to prevent an outer space arms race. He said that some countries reject negotiations because they are unwilling to subject their military capabilities in outer space to substantive restrictions and believes this has resulted in a stalemate. He noted the submission to the Conference on Disarmament by China and the Russian Federation of a draft treaty, which, he said, has received broad support.
Nigeria’s delegate urged the Conference on Disarmament to start negotiating a treaty, stressing the importance of an international legal framework to allow for equal exploration based on the principle of non-appropriation and peaceful use. In that vein, Algeria’s speaker said the China-Russian Federation draft treaty provides a good basis for further discussion. Although voluntary measures are important, they cannot replace the conclusion of a legally binding treaty on preventing an outer space arms race, he said.
“We do not play favourites,” said Brazil’s speaker. His delegation seeks to reconcile perceptions at odds with each other. The development of norms on responsible behaviour can address some immediate concerns. This and the long-term endeavour of developing a legally binding instrument should not be competing but reinforcing. Similarly, the Permanent Observer for the Holy See said that a legally binding agreement on outer space may prove difficult to reach in the short-term, whereas non-binding measures can help build trust. He welcomed, in that context, the convening of the working group outlined in “L.15”.
Following the conclusion of the debate on the disarmament aspects of outer space, the Committee began its thematic discussion on conventional weapons, which it will resume when it meets at 10 a.m., Monday, 23 October. .....
https://press.un.org/en/2023/gadis3723.doc.htm
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