Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine at the UN General Assembly First Committee under cluster 3 “Outer Space (disarmament aspects)”

(30 October 2024, New York)

 

Chair, 

Ukraine aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union. We would also like to make additional remarks in our national capacity.

Ukraine is strongly committed to the preservation of a safe, secure, stable and sustainable space environment, and, therefore, supports effective measures to prevent an arms race in outer space.

We reaffirm that the existing international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, other relevant UN treaties on outer space, as well as international humanitarian law, are applicable in outer space.

The 1967 Treaty remains a cornerstone of the legal regime governing outer space activity.

We underscore the importance for all space activities to be conducted in accordance with this Treaty.

However, as of today, only 115 States are parties to the Outer Space Treaty. In this regard, we call upon all UN Member States, that have not yet become parties to the Outer Space Treaty, to ratify or accede to this treaty.

Chair, 

We would like to recall the obligations of States under the Outer Space Treaty, particularly those contained in Article IV that obligates States 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 April 2024, we witnessed once again how the Russian Federation abused its illegitimate presence in the Security Council's permanent seat, when it vetoed the draft resolution tabled by Japan and the United States on the prohibition of placement of WMD in outer space, which would be the first resolution on outer space adopted by the Council.

If adopted, the Security Council resolution would reaffirm the obligations of all States Parties not to place any objects carrying nuclear weapons, or other WMD, in orbit around Earth, in compliance with the Outer Space Treaty.

The draft resolution paid particular focus on the prohibition of development of nuclear weapons specifically designed for placement in outer space.

Moreover, the document would have helped prevent the catastrophic consequences of a potential nuclear detonation in space, which could destroy satellites that are vital to the socio-economic activities on the Earth.

We believe that the Russian Federation’s veto of the draft UN Security Council resolution indicates that Moscow considering taking actions in contravention of Article IV of the Outer Space Treaty.

Considering the above, Ukraine strongly supports and has co-sponsored the draft resolution tabled by the United States, Japan and Argentina in the First Committee aimed at reaffirming by States of their obligations to uphold the Outer Space Treaty.

Chair, 

Throughout the last years the international community has witnessed an increase of security threats not only to the long-term sustainability of the space environment, but also the safe and secure delivery of essential services.

Certain states have demonstrated new hostile and dangerous space capabilities.

In 2021, Russia conducted the destructive test in using groundlaunched, direct-ascent anti-satellite missiles, which led to the space debris in the low orbit of Earth.

Ukraine strongly believes that the goals of the prevention of an arms race in outer space are achievable by a combination of legally-binding and non-legally binding instruments and measures. We share the view that developing norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours is the best approach to make progress in the field of prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS).

In this context, we welcome the constructive outcome of the 2023-2024 Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on PAROS, which recognised that both legally and non-legally binding measures can contribute to the goal of PAROS. Ukraine also supports the implementation of transparency and confidencebuilding measures in outer space.

We also acknowledge the positive outcome of a UN Disarmament Commission working group on space security in April 2023.

We underscore the importance of sharing information on space launch vehicle programmes, including prelaunch notifications, established under the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCoC). In this regard, we encourage all States to subscribe to the HCoC and to fully implement its provisions.

Chair, 

Ukraine fully supports the Open-ended Working Group on Reducing Space Threats Through Norms, Rules and Principles of Responsible Behaviours (OEWG). Unfortunately, the Russian Federation repeatedly impeded discussion on these issues during the first OEWG on Reducing Space Threats and blocked the adoption of a procedural report.

Ukraine supports the ongoing efforts aimed at strengthening a dialogue on space security.

In this regard, the merging of the two OEWGs established by UNGA is the way forward, if they are preserved in an equal manner, while multi-stakeholder engagement is also ensured.

In conclusion, Chair, Ukraine will continue advocating effective measures at an international level aimed at improving outer space security and preventing the militarization of this domain.

Thank you.