(Please check against delivery) Statement by H.E. Ina H. Krisnamurthi Ambassador / Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia on behalf of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) before the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) of the 72 nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly Agenda Item 52: International Cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space New York, 11 October 2017 0
1. I am honored to speak on behalf of the Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), comprising Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Thailand, the Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and my own country, Indonesia. 2. ASEAN congratulates you on your election to chair the Fourth Committee, as well as the Bureau Members. ASEAN offers its full support as you steward the committee s work and look forward to constructively contributing as well as engaging with all Member States in achieving positive and concrete outcomes in the Fourth Committee on today s agenda and other agenda items. 3. ASEAN would also like to express its sincere appreciation to Dr. David Kendall of Canada as the Chair of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) for your able stewardship in leading the work of the Committee. 4. ASEAN commends the COPUOS Members for their excellent work as presented in the report of the sixtieth session (A/72/20). In light of this, ASEAN remains committed to working and cooperating closely with COPUOS and United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). 5. ASEAN underlines the importance of the UN General Assembly Resolution 71/90 on the peaceful uses of outer space, in urging all member states that the use and exploration of the outer space must be carried out for exclusively peaceful purposes and we must work intensively to prevent any possibility of an arms race in outer space. The utilization of outer space should be for the benefit and interest of all countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development, and in conformity with applicable international law. 6. ASEAN emphasizes the principle of non-appropriation of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, which cannot be appropriated by any State, by claiming sovereign rights, use, occupation or any other form. 1
7. Outer space is a common heritage of mankind, and its use must be strictly for the improvement of living conditions and peace of mankind. ASEAN underscores international cooperation in the development of space activities. 8. ASEAN is convinced that space technology and its applications provide indispensable tools for viable long-term solutions to many of the development challenges, as well as contribute to the realization of the SDGs. 9. ASEAN therefore reiterates that regional and interregional cooperation in the field of space activities is essential to strengthen the peaceful uses of outer space, assist States in the development of their space capabilities and contribute to the implementation of the SDGs. 10. Since Southeast Asia has faced many natural disasters and remains confronted with these eventualities, ASEAN attaches high importance to the utility of space-based technologies in enhancing the capacity for disaster risk preparedness, response and mitigation. These technologies will help improve early warning systems and enables a better search and rescue operations to save more lives. Thus, ASEAN reiterates the importance of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, which recognizes clearly the value of space-based technology for the purposes. In this connection, the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) also utilizes satelite images for its disaster management and response system, thus underscoring the importance of use of outer space for disaster management purposes. 11. The development and application of space-based technologies require significant and specific resources, this is why many developing countries have not been able to reap full benefits of peaceful uses of outer space. In this regard, ASEAN encourages a closer partnership between developed countries, relevant international organizations and agencies with developing countries to assist and build relevant capacities in space science and technology in a sustainable manner. 2
12. ASEAN supports efforts to strengthen the governance framework of outer space in an inclusive manner. Any possible future formulation of international principles for outer space activities must be done transparently and inclusively through intergovernmental process within the UN domain. Such discussion must also be based on full respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and equal access for all States. 13. ASEAN is of the view that the broader perspective of space and associate matters are instrumental in ensuring the safe and responsible conduct of space activities, including ways to promote international, regional and interregional cooperation. Thus, ASEAN welcomes the holding of joint panel discussion of the First and Fourth Committee on possible challenges to space security and sustainability to that end. 14. ASEAN also expresses its concern on the issue of space debris. These space objects pose a serious risk for communication and all peoples and industries that rely on space technologies. Therefore, we urge the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee to continue the discussion on mitigation measures. We also encourage the implementation of the Space Mitigation Guidelines of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space on a voluntary basis. 15. ASEAN has taken a number of steps to forge closer regional cooperation in the field of space technology. Last year, the 71 st Meeting of Committee on Science and Technology (COST-71) established ASEAN Research Center for Space Technology and Applications (ARTSA). The Center will serve as a regional resource hub for capability, research development, and academic study in the field of space technology and applications. 16. ASEAN has also hosted a number of regional and international conferences and workshops on outer space. This year alone, ARTSA as the newly established center, has convened five international training courses focused on exploring and utilizing peaceful uses of space technology and applications. ASEAN looks forward to work closely with 3
all relevant partners in increasing capacity and awareness on the area of space technology and applications. 17. To conclude Mr. Chair, rest assured of ASEAN s support and cooperation throughout your stewardship. Allow me, to now make a few points in my national capacity: 1. My delegation fervently believes that that outer space should be used and explored entirely for peaceful purposes and for the benefit of all humankind. In this regard, international cooperation in space activities is crucial. 2. We underline that the international cooperation should be inclusive, taking into account the technological level of development, especially of the non-spacefaring nations in advancing use of outer space for peaceful purposes. 3. Therefore, the Committee has a vital role in bridging the spacefaring nations and the nonspacefaring nations to enhance cooperation in capacity building of space technology and its applications. 4. The definition and delimitation of outer space is an important matter not only to clarify the boundary of airspace and outer space but to achieve legal certainty for implementation of space law and air law. In this regard, Indonesia shares the concern that no consensus has been reached yet on the matter. All countries need to contribute and work together with the Committee in further deliberations of this issue. My delegation stands ready to constructively participate in the discussions on this matter. 5. On the utilization of the geostationary satellite orbit (GSO), it is our firm view that in light of its sui generis characteristics, equitable access to the orbit should be guaranteed for all States, taking particular account of the needs and interests of developing countries as well as the geographical position of certain countries. 4
6. On the issue of long-term sustainability of outer space activities, Indonesia appreciates tireless work by the Working Group on Long Term of Sustainability (WG-LTS) to find concrete compromise solutions leading to possible finalization of the set of draft guidelines on LTS. 7. At national level, a lot must be done to improve works in the area of outer space utilization. Indonesia, for its part, has strengthened its space activities law with Presidential Decree No. 45 Year 2017 regarding the Main Planning of Space Activities Year 2016-2040, all solely for peaceful purposes. 8. Cooperation is also underway between Indonesian National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) and French CNES on space for peaceful purpose. 9. To conclude, allow me to reiterate the Government of Indonesia s aspiration, as an active member of the Committee, that outer space should be solely used for peaceful purposes for the benefit of humankind of all nations. 10. This sustainability can only be achieved through both the development of space technology and good intentions among States in outer space applications, based on the principle of fair and mutual benefit as well as full respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of States. 11. We look forward to a productive and substantive exchange of views among the distinguished representatives on this issue, with a view to explore the need for various means in identifying gaps, as well as addressing the way forward for further deliberations. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 5