EU Statement – UN General Assembly 1st Committee: Outer Space

Mr. Chair, 

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia^*, Montenegro^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, and the EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

The EU and its Member States are actively engaged in promoting the preservation of a safe, secure, stable 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 (PAROS) in all its aspects, 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.

Outer space has witnessed a surge in security challenges over recent years with threats and perceived threats multiplying and compromising not only the long-term sustainability of the space environment, but also the level of trust among space actors. Such a situation risks the safe and secure delivery of essential services on which the global community increasingly relies. These services are also vital for the functioning of today’s societies as well as for progress on crucial global issues such as achieving the UN SDGs. Therefore, improving space security for the benefit and interest of all countries is paramount for all States, be they space-faring nations or not. Ensuring space security and preventing an arms race in outer space, including preventing outer space from becoming an area of conflict, are crucial to safeguard the long-term use of the space environment for peaceful purposes.

The EU reaffirms the applicability of international law, including international humanitarian law, to outer space, including the United Nations Charter and the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, and other relevant UN treaties on outer space as well as consensual principles developed in the UN framework. The Outer Space Treaty, as well as the guiding principles developed in the UN framework constitute the cornerstone of the global governance in outer space. The EU and its Member States recognise outer space as a global common, to be used for the benefit of all humankind. All space activities must be conducted in accordance with the Outer Space Treaty, and we encourage all States to ratify it and fully implement its provisions.  

We emphasise the obligations of the Outer Space Treaty, in particular those comprised in Article IV that obliges the State 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.  We categorically oppose the development and deployment of nuclear weapons and any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction in outer space, which would constitute a severe breach of international law as it would be a blatant violation of the Outer Space Treaty. We call on all States to also refrain from developing such weapons specifically designed to be placed in outer space. We also recall the grave consequences for civilian infrastructure, our societies and the interests of all States. In this context, the EU deeply regrets the use of the veto by Russia in the vote on the Security Council resolution proposed by Japan and the United States in April 2024. The EU welcomes the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution called Weapons of mass destruction in outer space by a vast majority in 2024.

The goal of PAROS is achievable through a combination of legally binding and non-legally binding measures. While reaffirming the importance of developing verifiable legally binding instruments in this field, the EU and its Member States believe that developing norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours is the most pragmatic and immediate way forward to make progress on PAROS and improve space security. Any legally binding frameworks for space security must be effective and verifiable and should aim to cover all relevant threats, be they Earth-to-space, Earth-to-Earth, space-to-space, or space-to-Earth. Norms of responsible behaviours within legal regimes governing other domains, such as maritime, cyber or telecommunication, constitute good examples, best practices and lessons learned and can serve as inspirations for our endeavours. 

The adoption of UNGA Decision 79/512 on the creation of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on PAROS in all its aspects in 2024, and the start of substantive work therein at its second substantive session in Julyare among some of the hard-won advancements of the past year. The OEWG offers a valuable opportunity to build a new common understanding on what the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects means in the 21st century and to address current and future security threats in outer space. To achieve this, a balanced and inclusive discussion on threat perceptions and credible proposals needs to be held, reflecting a comprehensive and inclusive approach, in line with the merger decision. It should build on past efforts, which include the Group of Governmental Experts on PAROS which recognised the value of both legally and non-legally binding measures, and the OEWG on reducing space threats that advanced norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours in a concrete and pragmatic way. The EU and its Member States participate actively and constructively in this process, and we call on all States to do so.

Mr. Chair,

Promoting trust among States is an essential prerequisite for the elaboration of any internationalnon-legally or legally binding measures and instruments regarding space security. Due to their flexible nature, TCBMs can serve as a valuable tool for cultivating trust and forging common understandings among States involved in activities in outer space or utilizing space technology services, thus creating an atmosphere of trust conducive for further negotiations. Being itself a unique set of confidence-building measures to create transparency on relevant programmes, launches and tests and therefore to limit the risk of misinterpretation regarding these activities, the Hague Code of Conduct sets a good example of the use of TCBMs in order to increase predictability and trust. The EU and its Member States encourage all States to subscribe to the HCoC and to fully implement its provisions.

We remain concerned about the multiplication of ambiguous, unfriendly or hostile activities in outer space and underline the importance of addressing such developments promptly and as part of international efforts to prevent threats to space systems. Among the most urgent threats are destructive direct ascent anti-satellite missile tests, the harmful effects of which can be the destruction of the targeted satellite as well as the generation of multiple collateral space debris, and the risk of uncontrolled escalation. The EU strongly condemned the Russian Federation’s conduct of destructive direct-ascent ASAT weapon test against its own satellite in 2021, as a clear act of irresponsible behaviour in outer space. We welcome the commitments, as a norm of responsible behaviour, made so far by 38 UN Member States, including all EU Member States, not to conduct destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite missile tests. We encourage all States to make such commitment as soon as possible, welcoming increasing support for UN General Assembly Resolution 77/41.

The EU reiterates the importance of an inclusive format and a multi-stakeholder approach including engagement with international organisations, commercial actors, and civil society representatives, when addressing space threats to international peace and security. The EU and its Member States therefore continue to be fully committed to engage actively and constructively in discussions that contribute to the overarching goal of the prevention of an arms race in outer space.

I thank you, Mr. Chair.

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