STATEMENT BY
H.E. MR. AHMAD FAISAL MUHAMAD
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA
TO THE UNITED NATIONS
ON BEHALF OF THE
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)
THEMATIC CLUSTER DISCUSSION ON
OUTER SPACE (DISARMAMENT ASPECTS)
FIRST COMMITTEE OF THE 78TH SESSION OF THE
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
19 OCTOBER 2023
Mr. Chairman,
1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
2. ASEAN reiterates that access to outer space is an inalienable right of all States and that the use of outer space should exclusively be for peaceful purposes only, and for the collective benefit of humanity. All activities in outer space must be conducted in accordance with international law and the principle of non-appropriation of outer space.
3. We reaffirm the vital importance of preventing an arms race in outer space and the weaponization of outer space. In this regard, the full implementation of all related UN instruments and relevant General Assembly resolutions is critical.
4. ASEAN remains seriously concerned over threats to international peace and security posed by the possible weaponization of outer space or the conversion of outer space into a domain for warfare and armed conflict. We reiterate the urgent need for the commencement of substantive negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a legally binding and multilaterally verifiable instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS), including the prohibition of the placement of weapons in outer space and the prohibition of the threat or use of force against outer space objects.
5. In the interest of ensuring the peaceful use and exploration of outer space, the General Assembly should continue to play a key role in fostering dialogue and action on current issues and challenges in this field.
6. ASEAN welcomes the convening of the substantive session of the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC) in April 2023, which resulted in a consensus outcome relating to transparency and confidence building measures on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.
7. ASEAN regrets that, despite constructive engagement by Member States, the Open-ended working group (OEWG) on reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours, established pursuant to UN General Assembly resolution 76/231, was not able to adopt a substantive or procedural outcome. We believe that the OEWG was an important platform to reach a common understanding of how best to act to reduce threats to space systems in order to maintain outer space as a peaceful, safe, stable and sustainable environment, free from an arms race and conflict, for the benefit of all. The work we have done in this OEWG is an excellent starting point that complements other efforts related to enhancing outer space security, including the new Group of Governmental Experts on Further Measures to Prevent an Arms Race in Outer Space, established pursuant to UN General Assembly resolution 77/250, to consider and make recommendations on substantial elements of an international legally binding instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, including, inter alia, on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space.
8. ASEAN calls for an open, inclusive, transparent, sustainable and flexible process for discussions on outer space. In that regard, ASEAN is concerned by proposals to establish parallel processes on the same topic, which would be challenging, especially for small and developing States with limited resources. ASEAN urges Member States to engage in meaningful dialogue to avoid parallel processes.
9. We underscore the role of the Sub-Committee on Space Technology and Applications (SCOSA), a subcommittee of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) that serves as a platform to formulate and coordinate collaborative and cooperative programmes and projects on space science and technology.
10. We also support other activities and initiatives that help deepen understanding on issues pertaining to space security. In this connection, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) has made contributions in our region, by organising Space Security Workshops.
Mr. Chair,
11. ASEAN recognizes the significant progress made by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in promoting international cooperation on the peaceful uses of outer space.
12. ASEAN further reaffirms the need for a universal, comprehensive, and nondiscriminatory multilateral approach towards the issue of missiles in all its aspects, negotiated multilaterally within the UN. Any initiatives on this subject should take into account security concerns of all States and their inherent right to peaceful uses of space technologies.
13. We maintain our call for continued action in mitigating the effects of space debris through relevant multilateral fora, and we stand ready to engage with all parties in moving this agenda forward.
14. Activities in outer space should not remain the exclusive preserve of a small group of States. Therefore, ASEAN encourages the strengthening of capacity-building programs, with particular emphasis on developing countries, to ensure that outer space is, both in principle and in practice, a common heritage of mankind which all States can avail themselves of.
Thank you.
