Statement by the Cuban delegation to the 67th session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
Mr. Chairman:
Our delegation would like to congratulate you on your election as head of COPUOS and express our full support in the fulfillment of your mandate.
We reaffirm our position in favor of the exclusively peaceful use of outer space, which should take place under equal conditions for all States, without discrimination, and in full compliance with established technical and legal norms. We welcome Djibouti's application to join the Committee and trust that, with its membership, we will expand the universalization of space policies.
By virtue of its pacifist vocation, my country supports the principle of the non-placement of nuclear weapons or any other type of Weapons of Mass Destruction in outer space and advocates its preservation as the common heritage of mankind.
Likewise, we support the existing legal regime and favor efforts to achieve a legally binding instrument that would prevent the arms race and contribute to guaranteeing the safety, security and transparency in the activities carried out in this environment.
Mr. Chairman:
In accordance with the mandate of United Nations General Assembly resolution 78/72, greater use should be made of space technology and its applications, and activities that promote economic growth and sustainable development in all countries should be expanded. Accordingly, this body should promote policies that strengthen data infrastructure, build resilience and reduce the consequences of natural disasters.
In addition, we highlight the role of cooperation as a necessary pillar to ensure improvements in developing countries, with an emphasis on meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda.
Mr. Chairman:
Cuba rejects the application of unilateral coercive measures, which, by their nature constitute a violation of the right to development and limit access to cooperation benefits. In this sense, we must denounce that, regrettably, the effects of the criminal blockade imposed against Cuba make it impossible to access the benefits derived from space activity.
In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, we reiterate the need to strengthen and revitalize the work of this Committee and its respective sub-committees.
Our goal must be to make decisions that promote cooperation in order to guarantee the exclusively peaceful use of outer space.
Thank you very much.