Mr. President,
An arms race in space would pose grave dangers to international peace and security. The militarization of this environment is unacceptable. Outer space must be preserved as the common heritage of humanity.
Therefore, it is a priority for Cuba to adopt, as soon as possible, an international treaty that prevents and prohibits the manufacture, testing, deployment, and use of all types of weapons in space.
We do not oppose identifying, as part of this exercise, other types of voluntary measures, including confidence-building measures, that contribute to preserving the peaceful use of outer space and increasing transparency in outer space activities.
However, we insist that voluntary measures in no way replace or substitute a legally binding instrument.
The main purpose of this Group should be to identify and agree on the main elements that would comprise the text of the Treaty.
This instrument should also facilitate broader and more effective participation of developing countries in space activities through international cooperation, making space technology available to all, without discrimination or unilateral coercive measures.
Our country attaches great importance to the development of space sciences and their applications, particularly in the prevention of disasters, such as cyclones, floods, storm surges, and forest fires, and in hazard, vulnerability, and risk studies, among others.
Mr. President,
We know that many delegations are not optimistic and believe that, in the current geopolitical scenario, it will not be possible to make real progress toward an instrument prohibiting the deployment of weapons in space.
Cuba is not unaware of the complex realities of today's world; quite the contrary. At the same time, we are convinced that more can and should be done.
This will be a complex process. This was evident in the difficulties we faced in agreeing on the organizational issues of the Group; however, consensus prevailed. We now have an Agenda that, in the opinion of the Cuban delegation, is balanced and constitutes a good basis for our work.
Cuba will participate actively and constructively in the work of this Group. Our delegation will present several specific proposals, and we will evaluate in good faith those presented by other delegations. We will make every effort to contribute to reaching consensus.
It is everyone's responsibility to guarantee the use of space for exclusively peaceful purposes, for the good of the planet and present and future generations.
Thank you very much.