Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine at the United Nations General Assembly Fourth Committee Item 48 (a): International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space

(30 October 2024)

Chair,

The delegation of Ukraine aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. We would like to make additional remarks in our national capacity.

The preservation of outer space for peaceful purposes is a complex and comprehensive goal that requires international cooperation, transparency and the establishment of a legal framework, adherence to which shall be guaranteed.

Ukraine welcomes the outcome of the UN Summit for the Future held in New York on 22-23 September, including the inclusions of outer space issues relevant to COPUOS activity in its outcome document.

As of today, COPUOS and its Subcommittees are the only platform in the UN system for comprehensive discussion of issues related to the peaceful use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies.

Given the increasing use of modern space technologies, the Committee remains a unique platform for coordinating international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space and as the main international body dealing with space activities.

It should be emphasized that the development of space activities creates incentives for new forms and directions of cooperation.

At the same time, there is a need for all space actors to ensure and guarantee that space activities remain peaceful and for the benefit of all humanity, and that the environment remains safe.

The commercialization of space is driving incredible technological progress and scientific breakthroughs, and the possibilities of the space industry continue to expand. But, as a result, humanity is becoming more dependent on space technologies in daily life.

By building trust, encouraging responsible behavior, including through strengthening international legal liability and preventing the weaponization of outer space, the international community can ensure that outer space remains a realm of peace and possibilities for all humankind.

Today, the most important elements of the national infrastructure of most countries are dependent on satellites and the additional benefits that can be obtained from them. The commercialization of space paves the way not only for cooperation.

The ideologization of space weapons, in particular anti-satellite systems, is also moving the same path. The question of what consequences an arms race in outer space could have for global stability and prosperity should be considered in the broadest context. The destabilizing effects caused by an arms race in outer space through the deployment of weapons in orbit or the development of ground-based weapons systems capable of reaching targets in orbit do not serve any of the interests of the sustainable and peaceful use of outer space.

Ukraine emphasizes that the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and other UN treaties on outer space, as well as the guiding principles of the UN framework, constitute the cornerstone of the global governance in outer space.

In this regard, 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.

Therefore, all States Parties to the Outer Space Treaty should abide by its provisions, including Article IV. We also call on all States which are not Parties to this Treaty to join it.

Chair, 

Obviously, the transformation of space into a battlefield will lead to longterm, surely unpredictable consequences for the stability and sustainability of outer space and its accessibility not only for all current and possible future users, but for humanity as a whole.

Mutual trust and understanding will definitely benefit from joint missions, joint research initiatives and projects. However, it is important that such joint activities are not just declared in adherence to the principles laid down in the Outer Space Treaty, but are regulated by a transparent, clear and understandable international treaty.

That is why initiatives to develop an international code of conduct for responsible behavior in space should be welcomed. The increasing number of space objects also raises the important issue of space situational awareness.

The effective space traffic control can prevent accidental conflicts and ensure the safe operation of satellites and other space objects. Therefore, the creation of international space traffic control protocols can reduce the risk of spacecraft collisions and further controversy.

Another aspect of the increase in the number of space objects in space is the increase of space debris. An important step in this regard is to ensure that satellites are designed in such a way that they can re-enter the Earth's atmosphere and burn up after completing their mission. From a legal point of view, mandatory procedures for the safe decommissioning of satellites and other space objects should be introduced.

This is important since the research and development of active space debris removal technologies will help clean up existing space debris. International cooperation on these technologies can lead to effective solutions to maintain a safe and sustainable space environment.

However, Article VIII of the Outer Space Treaty establishes that ownership rights to space objects launched into outer space, including objects delivered or constructed on a celestial body, and to their components shall remain undisturbed while they are in outer space or on a celestial body or after their return to Earth. A space object does not cease to be an object of property rights after it becomes space debris. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a legal mechanism that would guarantee the clearance of outer space from space debris without violating property rights.

Chair, 

Ukraine reiterates that the development of space technologies should directly serve the peaceful use and exploration of outer space.

However, Russia's unprovoked and unjustified full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched on 24 February 2022, once again emphasizes the vulnerability of both outer space and space technologies, and the international space order as such.

Space technologies, which should improve people's lives by paving the way for the future, are widely used today by the aggressor state of Russia in the military sphere.

The Russia’s war of aggression hinders space research, the development of space technologies and space education in Ukraine.

The constant threat of missile attacks on educational institutions, research centers, and production facilities of Ukrainian space companies leads to the fact that our country is deprived of the opportunity to use its full potential, which has been accumulated over many years in the space industry.

By its actions, Russia is making it impossible for our country to access space sciences and technologies, hindering the development of national space science and technology, space services and digital technologies. In addition, Russia physically destroys the existing space infrastructure in Ukraine with constant missile attacks, hinders the conditions for innovation activities, as well as hinders the development of science and technology in Ukraine.

Thus, the Russian Federation has deliberately created conditions under which Ukraine cannot benefit from space science and technology, nor can it fully participate in the exploration and use of outer space.

 I thank you.