Un Group of Governmental Experts
UN Group of Governmental Experts in 2013
United States views on international law [1] in relation to United Nations Group of Governmental Experts: On July 18, 2013, the State Department issued a press statement on the consensus reached by the UN Group of Governmental Experts on transparency and confidencebuilding measures (“TCBMs”) for outer space activities at the Group's meetings in New York earlier in July. The U.S. statement welcoming the consensus is excerpted below and available at (link resource) (Secretary of State website) state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/07/212095.htm.
Some Aspects of UN Group of Governmental Experts
Through these discussions, the United States sought to find solutions to common challenges and problems in an increasingly contested and congested space environment. The Group's study was a unique opportunity to establish consensus on the importance and priority of voluntary and pragmatic transparency and confidence-building measures to ensure the sustainability and safety of the space environment as well as to strengthen stability and security in space for all nations.
Developments
The Group recommended that States and international organizations consider and implement a range of measures to enhance the transparency of outer space activities, further international cooperation, consultations, and outreach, and promote international coordination to enhance safety and predictability in the uses of outer space.
Details
Furthermore, the Group endorsed efforts to pursue political commitments—including a multilateral code of conduct—to encourage responsible actions in, and the peaceful use of, outer space. In this regard, the Group noted the efforts of the European Union to develop an International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities through open-ended consultations with the international community. Previously, on January 17, 2012, the U.S. Secretary of State announced that the United States has decided to join with the European Union and other nations to develop a Code of Conduct.
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All UN member states share a common commitment to the pursuit of peace and security. We support the principle, solemnly declared by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1963, that the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried on in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international cooperation and understanding.
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In the half century since this principle—subsequently incorporated into the 1967 Outer Space Treaty—was recognized, all nations and peoples have seen a radical transformation in the way we live our daily lives, in many ways due to our use of space. The globe-spanning and interconnected nature of space capabilities and the world's growing dependence on them mean that irresponsible acts in space can have damaging consequences for all. As a result, all nations must work together to adopt approaches for responsible activity in space to preserve this right for the benefit of future generations.
Resources
Notes
- Un Group of Governmental Experts in the Digest of United States Practice in International Law
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