European External Action Service

03/31/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/31/2023 08:16

Conference on Disarmament - Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space

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Conference on Disarmament - Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space

Conference on Disarmament

EU Statement

Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space

30 March 2023

Madame President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

We appreciate your choice for thematic debate today, since outer space is an area where security challenges have increased in recent years and continue to grow at an alarming rate, risking not only the sustainability of the space environment, but also the safe and secure operations of space activities and access to services on which the global community rely. The situation merits our full attention.

The EU and its Member States regard outer space as a global commons, to be used for the benefit of all. International law, in particular the United Nations Charter, the UN Treaties on Outer Space and International Humanitarian Law, is applicable to outer space. The Outer Space Treaty as well as the guiding principles developed in the UN framework constitute the basis of the global governance in outer space. All space activities must be conducted in accordance therewith.

The EU and its Member States are actively engaged in promoting the preservation of 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. We remain strongly committed to the prevention of an arms race in outer space, which is essential for strengthening international security and stability and for safeguarding the free exploration and long-term use of the space environment for peaceful purposes.

Madame President,

In that sense, the EU and its Member States welcome the work at the Open Ended Working Group on reducing space threats (OEWG), which is a valuable place for exchanging opinions and ideas and where common understandings can be built. We hope that all the discussions within the OEWG will lead to a consensus outcome in early September this year.

In this connection, further practical steps can be taken to enable risk reduction, prevent conflict from occurring in outer space, and prevent an arms race in outer space. We strongly believe that it is essential to build confidence between space actors, decrease perception of threats, and avoid any escalation that could lead to catastrophic consequences, in Space and on Earth, including for space operators and civilians. This is why the EU and its Member States will continue to advocate for responsible behaviour in outer space, as well as a comprehensive approach in addressing challenges, risks and threats to the peaceful use of outer space, in compliance with international law, notably in the framework of the United Nations.

We strongly believe that global principles of responsible behaviour will contribute to increased international cooperation in space and peaceful exploration and use of outer space, facilitate an equitable access to outer space and increase transparency and confidence in the conduct of space activities. Consideration of irresponsible behaviours should take into account the consequences on safety, sustainability and security in outer space as well as the impacts that they could have for international peace, security and stability, including for space operators and civilians.

This approach based on behaviours rather than objects or capabilities should be consistent with the existing international law and complement the relevant traditional disarmament and arms control tools, particularly given the dual-use of many space systems. It is the most pragmatic and immediate way forward. It further strengthens the existing normative framework for the peaceful exploration and use of outer space for the benefit of all nations.

The EU and its Member States believe that politically binding measures constitute a pragmatic way forward in a step by step approach towards a possible legally binding instrument in the future, starting with norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours, through an incremental and inclusive process. Experience has shown that legally binding instruments draw from previous non-legally binding commitments and principles, through the adoption of different resolutions in the UN framework.We continue to advocate that any future legally binding framework in the scope of space security should be effective and verifiable and should cover all relevant threats.

The conduct in November 2021 by the Russian Federation of a kinetic direct ascent anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon test is a strong reminder of the urgent need to take forward international discussions in order to agree on and implement norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviour in outer space and other transparency and confidence-building measures, while ensuring compliance with existing international law.

We remain concerned about the continued development, testing and proliferation of anti-satellite weapons (ASAT), both ground-based and co-orbital and underline the importance of addressing such dangerous and highly destabilising developments promptly and as part of international efforts to prevent threats to objects in outer space. Considering that destructive anti-satellite missile tests pose significant risks to outer space activities,including misinterpretation and miscalculation that could lead to unwanted escalation, and that the generatedspace debrisisirreconcilable with a sustainable use of outer space, the EU urges all UN Member States to refrain from such harmful activities.

From this perspective, the EU and its Member States fully supported the UNGA Resolution 77/41 and we welcome the commitments made so far by several UN Member States not to conduct destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite missile tests, hoping that others will follow suit. We consider such commitments as contributing to the development of further measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space and a pragmatic, concrete and measurable step forward for strengthening international security and stability.

Madame President,

Trust and confidence are at the centre of any security-building process. Thus, we are convinced that fostering mutual trust and strengthening transparency between States is key to enhance space security, to reduce the risks of misunderstanding, misinterpretation and miscalculation, and help to decrease the risk of conflicts and escalation in outer space. In this regard, the EU and its Member States consider that publishing and sharing information about space doctrines, policies and strategies is a responsible behaviour and would help create confidence between different actors. Sharing information on space launch vehicle programs, including prelaunch notifications, is already established practice under the Hague Code of Conduct (HCoC). The EU and its Member States encourage all States to subscribe to the HCoC and to fully implement its provisions.

Against this background, the EU and its Members States acknowledged the importance of space as a strategic domain in the Strategic Compass adopted in March 2022 and that they need to be prepared for a more competitive and contested space environment. Due to the increasing dependency of our societies and economies on space systems and services, we are more vulnerable to irresponsible and threatening behaviour in space domain. An EU Space Strategy for Security and Defence, published in March 2023, proposes concrete actionthat will allow the EU to protect its space assets, defend its interests, deter hostile activities in space and strengthen its autonomy. Making this Strategy public ensure transparency on the EU's activities and intentions.

Finally, as firm believers in multilateralism with the United Nations at its core, we strongly believe that now is urgent and in the interest of all States to pragmatically and immediately improve space security and to act swiftly in order to agree on a global, common and multilateral solution through greater coordination and cooperation, with the involvement of all UN Member States and relevant organisations. The EU and its Member States therefore continue to be fully committed to engage actively and constructively in discussions on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.

I thank you, Madame President.