Statement in the Special Political and Decolonization (4th) Committee on International Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space-15 October 2008

Mr. Chairman

  1. I would like to thank the Chairman of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) for presenting its comprehensive report to the Assembly. It is a valuable document that we believe would serve greatly in discharging the mandate and realizing the objectives of the Committee. Pakistan commends the fundamental role of COPUOS and its sub-committees in promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
  2. Pakistan supports efforts for maximizing the benefits of space capabilities across the board, for all countries and peoples and in all fields of application. The panel discussion on “space applications and food security” was a good example, very timely and relevant to our work. The application of outer space technology can help bridge the gulf within societies and between countries and regions. We call for realizing the full potential of this field to contribute towards the achievement of the development objectives. It is necessary to fully engage the developing countries in this process, including through sharing of experiences and new technologies and non-discriminatory, affordable and timely access to state of the art data and information. Pakistan has and will continue to share its experiences and expertise especially with the developing countries. Pakistan also supports the call for rational and equitable access for all States to the geostationary orbit.
  3. Pakistan is fully committed to the goals outlined in the Vienna Declaration on Space and Human Development adopted by UNISPACE-III. As we approach the 10th anniversary of UNISPACE-III, we welcome the continuing contribution of national and regional activities towards full implementation of its recommendations. The establishment of UNSPIDER and the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems demonstrate the international will to cooperate and pass on the fruits of advancement in space technologies to mankind. Pakistan participated in UN/China regional UNSPIDER workshop in December 2007 and the expert meeting in February 2008. The establishment of an Atmospheric Data Receiving & Processing Center (ADPRC) in Pakistan by the end of this year will further support SPIDER core activities.

Mr. Chairman,

  1. Pakistan is a party to all of the five core United Nations treaties on outer space. We are deeply concerned that the outer space, the “province of mankind”, is under the threat of being transformed into a place for flexing military muscle. It is also unfortunate that the bulk of space research is meant for military purposes. This will not only impede international cooperation for peaceful uses of outer space but will also jeopardize the security of outer space. There is a need for confidence building and greater transparency in space activities undertaken by various states. The States with significant space capabilities have greater responsibilities in contributing to the goal of preventing the militarization of outer space. Negotiation of a comprehensive convention would contribute to this end. Proper implementation of the existing agreements is essential in the meanwhile.
  2. In our view, COPUOS should be enabled to fulfill the task assigned to it by the General Assembly namely to recommend ways and means of maintaining outer space for peaceful purposes. We continue to stress the need for working relationship between the Conference on Disarmament (CD) and the COPUOS to enable both the policy-making bodies to benefit from each other’s work. In fulfilling its mandate, the Conference on Disarmament can significantly benefit from COPUOS through latter’s expertise in the scientific, technical and legal aspects of the issues related to outer space. Channels of communication and coordination should be established between the two bodies.

Mr. Chairman

  1. Through activities led by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), we continue to make progress in projects of national importance in diverse fields of space science and technology. These include projects and programs ranging from education to telemedicine, agriculture, irrigation, monitoring of watercourses and floods, natural resource management, satellite meteorology, environmental surveying and other areas.
  2. Pakistan has planned to replace its current leased communication satellite, PAKSAT-1 with a new communication satellite PAKSAT-1R by 2011. Besides meeting Pakistan’s strategic objective of preserving 38oE orbital slot, this project will augment the existing telecommunication infrastructure of the country and also help significantly in promoting the use of satellite communication particularly for socio-economic development.
  3. To promote space-based remote sensing technologies and their applications for socio-economic development, SUPARCO is developing a Remote Sensing Satellite System (RSSS) of its own. The first satellite of RSSS series will be an optical imaging satellite, which is planned for launch by 2011. It will provide imageries for applications in agriculture, forestry, water resource management, mineral exploration, costal resources, urban planning, natural disaster monitoring and surveillance.
  4. Pakistan accords priority to promoting regional and international cooperation in outer space. One such programme is the cooperation in the field of geo-informatics between Pakistan and ASEAN countries, for which a three-day workshop was held in Islamabad in September 2007. Pakistan continues to participate in global aerosol studies through Global Aerosol Robotic Network Program of NASA. Geomagnetic data of Karachi are also disseminated to World Data Centre, Colorado, Geomagnetic Information Node, Edinburgh and British Geological Survey for updating the Global Models.
  5. Pakistan has established a satellite based search and rescue system, which is capable of locating aircrafts, ships and land mobiles. It comprises a Local User Terminal (Pakistan Local User Terminal or PALUT) and a Mission Control Centre (MCC) and Rescue Coordination Center (RCC).
  6. Pakistan celebrated the World Space Week in 2007 under the theme of “50 Years in Space” with a view to create awareness about the scope and benefits of space science and space technology to the betterment of human conditions. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 62/217, Pakistan plans to launch Space Education and Awareness Programme to create awareness and to promote the use of space technology and its applications towards building a prosperous society.

Mr. Chairman,

  1. As a member of the UN COPUOS, Pakistan will continue to contribute actively to its work related to the evolution of space activities and the ways and means of further enhancing international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.