Geneva. December 4, 2023. – Represented by expert Ivonne Sánchez Quintero, Cuba participated actively and constructively in the work of the first session of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on the prevention of an arms race in the space, which took place in November. December 20 to 1 in this city.
The Cuban national was one of 25 independent experts convened by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, following the mandate granted to him by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 77/250 entitled “New Practical Measures for weapons prevention. space race.
The second and final session of the GGE will take place from August 5 to 16, 2024, in Geneva. The Group is charged with considering the substantive elements of an international legally binding instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, including, inter alia, the prevention of weaponry in outer space, and to make recommendations on this subject.
During the discussions, expert Sánchez Quintero pleaded for the universal consideration of outer space as the common heritage of humanity. Likewise, he defended the legitimate right of all States to benefit from space technologies for peaceful purposes, depending on their development, under conditions of equality and without any discrimination.
Promoting strict compliance with the treaties and principles of state activities in space for peaceful purposes, the Cuban representative reiterated the priority of the urgent start of negotiations for a legally binding instrument that prevents the arms race in this area. He said this instrument must include an explicit ban on the placement of weapons, of any type, in space.