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Based on the existing problems, the Committee at its 52nd session in 2009
agreed that Scientific and Technical Subcommittee should incorporate in its
programme for the next session (in 2010), the agenda item, “Long Term
Sustainability of Outer Space Activities,” in order to generate
recommendations and possible solutions to the current situation. Also, other
space actors have promoted initiatives in fora other than the U N, including
the ICoCfor Outer Space Activities, proposed by the EU. The ICoC includes
a set of non-binding principles aimed to "enhance the protection, security
and sustainability of outer space activities,” which could be considered as
part of the development of rules and practical procedures for the proper use
of outer space.
This paper presents some considerations on ICoC from a regional
perspective (Latin America and the Caribbean), making a disclaimer that such
comments do not represent the official opinion of the Regional Group of
Latin America and the Caribbean (hereafter GRULAC).
Discussion
In the context of the Committee, the region of Latin America and the
Caribbean made significant contributions to international space law during
the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s, particularly countries such as Argentina,
Brazil and Chile. Likewise, statements presented by GRULAC during the past
10 years reflect the firm conviction to continue strengthening the framework
of binding rules developed by the UN on space issues.
To be precise, during the 50th session of the Legal Sub-Committee of the
COPUOS, the GRULAC States said:
5. We are facing a fast development of space activities, including the
increasing use of outer space by States, international organizations,
and private entities, which could have negative impacts on the
preservation of outer space as it is known it today. (...) The Group
has the view that coordination and synergy between the two
Subcommittees will also promote understanding, acceptance and
effective implementation of existing legal instruments of the United
Nations.
Based on that, the GRULAC considers essential the interaction
between the two subcommittees, in order to promote the
it would be worthwhile
to ask whether a
solution to a potential
crisis in outer space
may be reached
through soft
proposals on a
voluntary basis,
without a legal
framework that truly
compels states to fulfil
their responsibilities
as space actors. Or,
alternatively, why not
reinforce existing
norms, expanding
and modifying their
content to effectively
address the current
challenges in space?
Is the UN the ideal
multilateral forum to
coordinate these
initiatives?
ICoC: Perspectives from Latin America and the Caribbean | www.orfonline.org 171