Mr. Chairman,
We express our appreciation for the work carried out by Canada in its capacity as Chair of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), as well as the delegations of India and Chile for presiding over the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and Legal Subcommittee, respectively.
The COPUOS report presented to our Committee this year provides a detailed account of the various important issues that were discussed in both the Committee and its two Subcommittees.
We are pleased that the Committee continues to consider a priority the issue on the means to preserve outer space for peaceful purposes.
Cuba wishes to reiterate its position that the militarization of outer space would constitute one of the greatest threats to the future of the human species. Outer space must be preserved as a common heritage of humanity. We therefore we call on the international community to prevent it from becoming the scenario of the arms race.
In Cuba's view, the efforts of the international community should be aimed at the use of space technologies for disaster prevention and mitigation, environmental protection and human health.
Current international legislation is inadequate and fails to cover many aspects, particularly in preventing the threat of the militarization of outer space. Adopting international legal norms prohibiting the deployment of weapons in outer space, especially nuclear weapons, is the only way to counter the threat of militarizing outer space. We therefore once again call on all States to negotiate and adopt a treaty for the prevention and prohibition of the deployment of weapons in outer space.
A constructive dialogue between COPUOS, specifically its Legal Subcommittee, and the Conference on Disarmament would enable the achievement of an effective legal instrument. The Conference on Disarmament plays a vital role in developing an international instrument to prevent the militarization of outer space. As we have expressed in other forums, we believe that the draft treaty submitted by Russia and China in the Conference on Disarmament provides a good basis for negotiations.
Mr. Chairman,
The delegation of Cuba appreciates the interesting exchange that took place in relation to the geostationary orbit, as a limited natural resource clearly in danger of saturation. It should be used in a rational, efficient and economical manner in conformity with the ITU Radio Regulations, to enable equitable access of countries or groups of countries to these orbits and frequencies, considering the special needs of developing countries.
The geostationary orbit should not be subject to national appropriation or to the occupation of countries which are not entitled to it. The use of the geostationary orbit should not be hampered by the unrestrained and elitist marketing of some States or private agents. Its use is governed by applicable provisions of international law, including the Outer Space Treaty and ITU instruments and regulations.
It is also important to use the geostationary orbit within the legal framework established under the relevant United Nations treaties, taking into account the contributions of space activities to sustainable development and to the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
There is no doubt that the geostationary orbit provides exceptional access to communications and information, particularly to assist developing countries in implementing social programs and educational projects, to disseminate knowledge and even to provide medical assistance. It would be therefore important to keep that item on the agenda of the Subcommittee, as it would contribute to ensuring the sustainability of the geostationary orbit.
Our delegation notes that item "Long-term sustainability of outer space activities" was once again addressed by the Working Group charged with the consideration of the topic, and then by the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the Committee itself.
While there has been some progress, we are concerned about the large amount of work of this Group and the limited time allocated to carry out the work, as the report itself indicates. This matter should be analyzed with a view to facilitating the completion of the draft guidelines for adoption by the General Assembly in 2018.
Mr. Chairman,
Exploring and using outer space peacefully is a right of all States. However, the exercise of this right is today an unattainable dream for most developing countries.
It is thus imperative to redouble efforts to promote broader and more effective engagement of developing countries in space activities that would allow them to use science and space technology for their social and economic development. This requires effective cooperation, capacity-building and the non-discriminatory transfer of science, expertise and related technology.
Cuba, despite the cruel and unjust economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States, attaches growing importance to space science and its applications; and maintains an upward trend in space research and applications for the peaceful use of outer space. Also noteworthy is the use of space technologies in meteorology, especially in predicting natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, sea penetrations and forest fires; as well as hazard, vulnerability and risk (HVR) assessments.
Allow me to conclude by emphasizing the role of the United Nations and COPUOS in promoting cooperation, particularly in key areas such as climate change, food security, management of natural resources, management of natural disasters and mitigation of their impact, among others. In this regard, greater equality in accessing the benefits of space technology and its applications is imperative to contribute to the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Thank you very much.