EU Statement – UN General Assembly: Debate on the Use of the Veto (Non-Proliferation)

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Mr. President,

1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^*and Georgia, as well as San Marino align themselves with this statement.
2. The EU welcomes efforts towards increasing the transparency and accountability of the Security Council while strongly regretting the use of the veto by Russia in the vote on the resolution proposed by Japan and the United States under the agenda item "non-proliferation" on 24 April.
3. This veto does not relieve Russia of its obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, the Outer Space Treaty and international humanitarian law, and the EU reiterates the particular responsibility that the UN Security Council must fulfil in the maintenance of international peace and security. In this regard, the EU welcomes this opportunity for the UNGA to debate the use of the veto and supports further strengthening the relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council, including on matters related to the maintenance of international peace and security, consistent with the UN Charter.
4. The Outer Space Treaty and other applicable international law, including international humanitarian law, as well as the guiding principles developed in the UN framework, are the cornerstone of the global governance of outer space, and the EU calls on all parties to act in line with the longstanding common objective of preventing an arms race in outer space.
5. The draft resolution tabled by the US and Japan recalled central obligations under the Outer Space Treaty, in particular those set out in Article IV that obligate States Parties not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, install such weapons on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space in any other manner. The draft resolution went a step further by calling on Member States not to develop weapons of mass destruction specifically designed for this purpose.
6. Improving space security is paramount, as all states are increasingly reliant on space systems. The EU recalls that space science, applications and technologies play a vital role in tackling major global challenges such as climate change, disaster management, food security, environmental protection, efficient management of natural resources and transport development. They also boost the competitiveness of industry well beyond the space sector, thereby contributing to job creation and socio-economic development worldwide.
7. Rising challenges and threats from outer space to our common security merit our full attention, including at the level of the UNSC.
8. The EU is concerned about the multiplication of ambiguous, unfriendly or hostile activities in outer space and underlines the importance of addressing such developments promptly. In this context, the European Union is actively engaged in promoting a safe, secure and sustainable space environment and the peaceful use of outer space on an equitable and mutually acceptable basis for all, for present and future generations.
9. The EU and its Member States consider it important to jointly pursue and intensify efforts to address challenges in outer space, with the involvement of all UN Member States, and therefore remain fully engaged in constructive discussions regarding the prevention of threats in outer space.
10. Thank you, Mr. President.

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*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.