Mr. President,
Cuba thanks the Presidency of Pakistan for the efforts undertaken to sustain these discussions on the prevention of an arms race in outer space.
For Cuba, the objective is clear: we must prevent the placement of any type of weapon in outer space as the only effective guarantee to prevent an arms race in this domain and to preserve outer space exclusively for peaceful purposes and for the benefit of all humankind.
Technological advances and the growing development of military space capabilities make it increasingly urgent to strengthen the existing international legal framework. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty constitutes a fundamental reference, but its provisions do not cover all the risks and threats we currently face.
The relevant resolutions adopted year after year within the framework of the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly reaffirm the unwavering support of the overwhelming majority of States represented here for the prevention of an arms race in outer space, as well as the commitment not to be the first to place weapons in outer space.
Cuba therefore considers that our work must be geared towards a concrete outcome: the negotiation of a legally binding international instrument on PAROS.
We already have draft treaty proposals and elements that can serve as a basis for this work. We should not start again from scratch. We must build upon the progress already achieved and translate it into concrete, verifiable, universal, non-discriminatory obligations applicable to all States without exception.
Such an instrument should establish, inter alia, clear obligations prohibiting the placement of any type of weapon in outer space, as well as the threat or use of force against the space objects, infrastructure and activities of other States, in strict compliance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law.
Transparency and confidence-building measures, as well as norms on responsible behaviours, cannot replace the negotiation of legally binding obligations. As we have previously stressed, limiting our efforts to voluntary political commitments would not adequately address the objective of preventing an arms race in outer space.
The military doctrines of States or groups of States that consider outer space as a domain of warfare, as well as initiatives such as the Golden Dome programme, pose dangerous steps towards the militarization and further arms racing in outer space.
The Conference on Disarmament must play a central role in this process. Cuba therefore considers it necessary to move from the identification of basic elements and obligations to substantive negotiations on a legally binding instrument.
Verifiability will also be an essential element to ensure the credibility and effectiveness of the future instrument. Cuba supports the establishment of an effective, transparent, objective and non-discriminatory verification mechanism.
We also underscore the right of all States, particularly developing countries, to access and use outer space and space technologies for peaceful purposes. Any future legal instrument must safeguard this right and prevent technological advances from further deepening existing asymmetries in the space domain.
Mr. President,
The prevention of an arms race in outer space cannot be reduced to statements of intent. It requires clear legal norms and binding international obligations.
Cuba calls upon the Conference on Disarmament to assume this responsibility without further delay.
This is the path towards strengthening international security, preserving outer space for peaceful purposes, and ensuring that all States, including developing countries, can access and use outer space on the basis of sovereign equality and without discrimination.
Thank you.