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Mr.Chairman,
On behalf of my delegation allow me to commend the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and its Chair on the work done during its 62nd session which concluded earlier this year.
Mr.Chairman,
As a member of COPUOS since 1973, Pakistan adheres to the principles of exploration and use of outer space for the benefit of all humanity: for peace, security and development. We are also party to five core treaties on outer space and are committed to:
Mr.Chairman,
Bridging the wide technological gap between states is of vital importance in order to ensure that developing nations have an equitable right in the exploration, access and use of outer space for peaceful purposes without any discrimination.
We believe that COPUOS has a vital role to play in assisting developing countries in the peaceful uses of outer space for their socio-economic development and the achievement of SDGs.
COPUOS is the ideal platform for the promotion of technical assistance and technology transfer to developing countries in space-related activities, particularly in the areas of agriculture, health, water management, meteorology, climate change mitigation, health, humanitarian assistance, disaster management, satellite navigation and communication.
As a space faring nation, Pakistan understands the importance of utilizing space based assets for achieving the objectives of SDGs. Pakistan has actively contributed to the deliberations on the development of space 2030 agenda at COPUOS.
In our view, COPUOS should remain focused on its mandate of peaceful uses and exploration of outer space and aim at the capacity-building of nations for furthering their knowledge and experience of space applications.
Mr.Chairman,
Pakistan recognizes the importance of international cooperation in advancing technological developments and ensures primary rule of law for maintaining peace in outer space activities.
Pakistan is a member of International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) and actively takes part in their activities. We also host the UN-SPIDER Regional Support Office (RSO), Mission Control Centre of COSPAS-SARSAT and the Inter-Islamic Network on Space Science & Technology (ISNET).
We are also participating in various projects and programs being undertaken under the framework of bilateral and multilateral space cooperation agreements with international organizations.
Mr.Chairman,
We are deeply concerned about sustainability of outer space activities due to an ever-increasing number of objects being launched into orbit.There are both; foreseen and unforeseen risks associated with this practice, including the risk of collision and interference with the operations of outer space objects. These issues are more pronounced at the low earth orbit.
We are of the view that The Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines prepared by the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of COPUOS need to be implemented at national and international level through appropriate mechanisms and administrative measures.
All space faring nations, Chair, should take measures to reduce the possibility of creating space debris. We are seriously concerned about various reports on space debris that has been created by an irresponsible Anti-Satellite weapon test conducted earlier this year.
We believe criteria and procedures for active removal or international destruction of space objects, either functioning or non-functioningneed to be thoroughly deliberated under the auspices of UN. This is necessary to guarantee the effectiveness of these measures and to ensure acceptability by stakeholders.
Pakistan would also like to support the view that space debris issues should be addressed in a manner that would neither impose further burden on space programs of developing nations, nor jeopardize the development of their space capabilities. It must also be ensured that debris removal process cost should not be passed on to the countries with emerging space capabilities.
Mr.Chairman,
Space is the common heritage of humankind and all nations must desist from actions, which can lead to its militarization. While our dependence on outer space applications is on the rise, the risk of its weaponisation is also growing.
There is an urgent need to address gaps in international space law with a view to ensuring that there is no threat to peaceful activities and applications of space technologies for socio-economic development.
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967,Chair, recognized that the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries and shall be the province of all humanity. The treaty also prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons and other WMDs in outer space, but is silent on the placement of other types of weapons including conventional weapons that could be used to engage targets on Earth or in outer space. Moreover, it does not prohibit the use of force against outer space objects from Earth. These issues need to be addressed in a comprehensive treaty on PAROS, negotiated in the CD.
Recently, Pakistan and Russia signed a Joint Statement on No First Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, which is a reflection of our joint commitment to refrain from the threat or use of force in outer space activities. Pakistan encourages other responsible space-faring nations to follow this example.
Mr.Chairman,
As party to all the five ‘core’ United Nations space treaties, Pakistan is strongly committed to the principle of peaceful uses of outer space and the preservation of the fragile space environment for the collective benefit of all of humankind. In this regard, we support all international efforts aimed at strengthening the existing mechanisms while seeking new ways and means of maintaining outer space for peaceful purposes.
Pakistan acknowledges the initiatives and mechanisms undertaken by COPOUS for increasing transparency and the confidence building measures amongMember States for maintaining sustainability, global peace and security under the ambit of international space laws.
We also appreciate the role of COPUOS in developing the global legal regime of outer space and the framework for space governance. The definition and delimitation of outer space is one of the important agenda items before the Committee. We are of the view that a legally-binding consensus based international framework is required.
To this end, Pakistan shall continue to engage in a most constructive manner to evolve consensus.
I thank you!