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Mr. Chairman,
On behalf of the Pakistan delegation, I would like to thank the Chairman of
the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) for introducing the
Committee’s report on its 48th Session.
Mr. Chairman,
2. Pakistan attaches great importance to the work of the Committee on the
Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and its Scientific and Technical; and Legal
Subcommittees. The Vienna Declaration on Space and Human Development adopted by
UNISPACE III remains an important guide for the United Nations efforts towards
enhancing the quality of human life through sharing the benefits of space
science and technology.
3. Resolution 116 adopted by the General Assembly last year presents a
comprehensive picture of the legal framework; and the policies, programmes and
actions at various levels to promote international cooperation in the peaceful
uses of outer space. While noting the progress achieved in further development
of peaceful space exploration and applications, the Assembly also expressed
concern over the possibility of an arms race in outer space as well as the issue
of space debris. The Assembly also requested the COPUOS to identify and consider
new areas and mechanisms of international cooperation in the peaceful uses of
outer space.
4. We support the call by the Chairman of the Committee for continued
international cooperation in identifying new areas for the application of space
technologies for sustainable development.
5. Meanwhile further research and cooperation should continue in the fields of
remote sensing, telecommunications, navigation systems, distance education,
weather and agricultural yield forecasting, management of natural resources in
particular water, mitigation of natural disasters, transport, public safety,
telemedicine and telehealth, etc.
6. Advancement in these fields and the efforts to extend the benefits derived
therefrom to all States will contribute to the economic, social and cultural
development and promote the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. An
important pre-requisite in that regard, however, is the maximum engagement of
the developing countries in the entire process. Particular attention must be
paid to sharing of experience and new technologies, non-discriminatory access to
state of the art data and information at a reasonable cost and in a timely
manner, and capacity building of developing countries in the adoption and use of
space technology in different fields. The spin-off benefits of the space
technology should be accessible to all member states particularly the developing
countries.
7. Pakistan has always attached great importance to the space system based
disaster management support. Following the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004
and the earthquake in Chile earlier this year, we have witnessed the extreme
devastation and human suffering caused by the recent earthquake that struck
South Asia in particular my own country. An immediate satellite survey of the
area of the earthquake may have provided a quicker assessment of the magnitude
of devastation. This earthquake and other recent major natural disasters
underline the need for a greater and more efficient role for space technology in
prediction, monitoring and mitigation of natural disasters. While we cannot stop
natural disasters from happening, any advancement that contributes to better
preparedness and mitigation of their effects is welcome. We appreciate in that
context the draft study by the ad hoc expert group for the establishment of an
international space coordination body for disaster management.
Mr. Chairman,
8. The increasing military activities in space are seriously affecting
international cooperation in the peaceful exploration and applications of outer
space. The states with major space capabilities have greater responsibilities to
contribute actively to the goal of preventing the militarization of the outer
space. The negotiation of a comprehensive convention would contribute towards
this end. Meanwhile the existing agreements should be properly implemented.
9. In our view, the task assigned by the General Assembly for recommending ways
and means of maintaining outer space for peaceful purposes has not received the
desired attention in the work of the COPUOS. Pakistan has always maintained that
the work of COPUOS is not completely irrelevant to the question of prevention of
arms race in outer space. It is also evident from resolution 59/116. Though the
peaceful and military uses of outer space are inseparable, yet there are
separate bodies of the UN to deal with the two aspects. In that regard, the
COPUOS and the Conference on Disarmament (CD) complement each other. In
fulfilling its mandate, the Conference on Disarmament can significantly benefit
from the expertise of COPUOS in the scientific, technical and legal aspects of
the issues related to outer space and space technology. In our view, it is
necessary to establish and strengthen working relationship and channels of
communication between the two bodies.
10. We would appeal to States advocating a limited role for the COPUOS to
cooperate with other delegations in enabling the COPUOS to effectively utilize
its time on debate relating to this agenda item in order to bring about a
solution acceptable to all concerned. We would also like to appeal to the
scientific community to strengthen international cooperation through space
missions, and other joint projects, in order to preserve outer space for
peaceful purposes.
Mr. Chairman,
11. We are pleased to note the continued implementation of the recommendations
of UNISPACE III, a matter that was considered by the Working Group of the Whole
of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee that Pakistan has had the privilege
of chairing.
12. In the context of regional cooperation, Pakistan organized a regional
workshop on "Monitoring and Protection of the Natural Environment: Educational
Needs and Experiences gained from UN / Sweden Training Courses on Remote Sensing
Education" jointly sponsored by United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs,
Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), Swedish
International Cooperation Development Agency (SIDA) and University of Stockholm,
Sweden. The Participants emphasized that more concerted efforts were needed for
devising necessary mechanism for initiation and strengthening cooperation among
the Asian countries to facilitate the effective use of remote sensing data and
its integration with geographic information system (GIS) technology.
13. At home, Pakistan has made considerable progress in the applications of
space sciences and technology in projects of national importance. These include
use of satellite remote sensing data to construct National land use digital maps
in 9 thematic layers to help assessment of national eco-system for sustainable
development of agriculture and forestry and minimizing land degradation. Other
projects include development of GIS for establishing a data visualization center
for the State Oil Company to assist in real-time monitoring of the retail
outlets for sales and security alerts throughout Pakistan; development of Crime
GIS and Vehicle Tracking System for Karachi to be subsequently extended to other
areas; and Ambient Air Quality Assessment of Major Cities of Pakistan with the
objective to establish concentration levels and behaviour of ambient airborne
pollutants with temporal and spatial parameters, and to propose remedial
measures. As a result of the study cleaner fuel (such as CNG) for vehicles and
cleaner technology for industries are being implemented.
Mr. Chairman,
14. Let me conclude by saying that as member of the Committee Pakistan remains
committed to closely following the evolution of space activities and is ready to
take part in considerations on the future role and activities of the Committee
including developing a long-term plan to enhance international cooperation in
the peaceful uses of outer space.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.