EU Statement at the 63rd Session of the Scientific and Technical Sub-Committee
Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. Albania, Norway, the United Kingdom and Ukraine also align themselves with this statement.
I would like to congratulate you on your chairmanship and assure you of the EU’s full support and cooperation. We thank UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini for her leadership and efficient preparation of this session.
Chair,
The EU is committed to upholding the rules-based international order with the United Nations at its core. The United Nations is pivotal in fostering international cooperation to preserve peace and security, to which sustaianble development is instrisically linked in line with the 2030 Agenda.
The Pact for the Future calls for action to ensure the safe and sustainable use of outer space for the benefit of present and future generations and encouraged COPUOS to further consult on the proposal of a fourth UN Conference on the Peaceful Exploration of Outer Space, UNISPACE IV in 2027. The EU supports convening the Conference to address space traffic, space debris and space resources, inviting private sector, civil society and other stakeholders to contribute where appropriate to intergovernmental processes.
The EU supports the UNSG’s UN80 reform initiative as an opportunity to revitalize the UN’s system and improve its resilience and efficiency. It should strengthen the UN’s resilience and ability for effective mandate implementation. In this context we emphasize the vital role of UNOOSA for fostering international cooperation for peaceful and sustainable uses of outer space, which are also essential for achieving the 2030 Agenda.
Chair,
Outer space is a province of humankind, free for exploration and use by all States without any discrimination, on the basis of equality and in accordance with international law. We continue to actively promote the preservation of a safe, secure and sustainable space environment and the peaceful use of outer space as well as access to outer space for future generations.
We urge all States to ratify and fully implement the Outer Space Treaty in order to preserve a secure, safe, stable and sustainable outer space. It is crucial to uphold the Treaty and other key instruments to develop transparency, confidence-building measures, and foster responsible behaviour in the exploration and use of outer space, as well as to uphold States’ freedom to access space.
Chair,
The EU and its Member States underline the importance of implementing the COPUOS Guidelines on the Long-Term Sustainability and Space Debris Mitigation to protect outer space from long-lived debris and ensure long term orbital sustainability. We welcome the agreement reached on the LTS report and to extend the LTS Working Group at the 68th COPUOS Plenary and underline the crucial role of COPUOS to discuss the establishment of new frameworks for space traffic, space debris and space resources and urge States to minimise the creation of space debris.
We welcome the establishment of the Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness, proposed and chaired by the UAE, under the Working Group on LTS, and look forward to contribute.
We also welcome the item on Dark and quiet skies, astronomy and large constellations on the agenda of the COPUOS Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and encourage the development of practical solutions to address the unintended impacts of satellite constellations on astronomy.
Following the Pact for the Future that calls for strengthened international cooperation, the EU considers that regional efforts could contribute to international co-operation with the aim of finding concrete solutions at global level, including for Space Traffic Coordination.
The EU shares information and experience contributing to space traffic coordination, and space traffic management as a global endeavour. Since 2016, EU Space Surveillance and Tracking has provided collision avoidance services to protect satellites and re-entry prediction services to help protect populations and critical infrastructure on Earth – services, which are open to non-European users.
Chair,
The European Space Programme focuses on Earth Observation, Navigation, Connectivity, and Space Research and Innovation. This enhances space assets and support entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs including through initiatives like CASSINI, which also facilitates partnerships with non-European companies. Components like GALILEO, EGNOS, and COPERNICUS, benefit millions of users globally offering reliable monitoring data and information on a full, free and open basis for climate adaptation, disaster resilience, food security and environmental protection. Copernicus national and regional centres are being set up to further extend these benefits. Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) has been used globally, while the component IRIS² will provide secure telecommunications services.
Chair,
The EU is gravely concerned about actions affecting multilateral work, including on outer space issues. Violations of the UN Charter undermine the UN system that underpins international peace and security. We strongly condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and the DPRK’s illegal actions, including its satellite launches using ballistic missile technology, in violation of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions.
Thank you, Chair.