Canada's statement to the First Committee of the 79th session of the United Nations, Thematic Debate: Outer Space

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New York, USA, October 29, 2024

Madam Chair,  

Outer space is vital for providing essential services and supporting the prosperity of all humanity. However, we continue to see a growing range of threats to space systems, a challenge that is exacerbated by geopolitical tensions on Earth. Our collective efforts are needed to address these threats and keep space a domain free from conflict.  

A critical component of ensuring this comes in the form of multilateral cooperation and open dialogue with international partners and civil society. Canada welcomed the opportunity to provide an expert to participate on the recently concluded Group of Governmental Experts on further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space. We appreciated the discussions that took place during the GGE, and the incorporation of ideas from the 2022-2023 open-ended working group on reducing space threats through norms, rules, and principles of responsible behaviour. Canada was pleased with the final consensus report’s recognition that non-legally binding measures can contribute to the goal of a prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects, and be pursued in a progressive, sustained, and complementary manner to legally binding measures.  

Indeed, this false dichotomy on how best to achieve the prevention of an arms race in outer space continues to persist. Some argue that norms of responsible behaviour are not a valid approach, and that only a legally binding instrument can ensure PAROS. Canada reiterates its position that these approaches need not be contradictory. Canada strongly supports establishing norms of responsible behaviour for space as an important measure that can prevent an arms race in outer space in all its aspects. This will reduce misperceptions and miscalculations that can lead to the extension of armed conflict into outer space. Such norms can form the basis for legally binding international law in the future. 

This was the very process by which the Outer Space Treaty came into existence. Norms relevant to outer space activities were developed and then recorded in a series of UNGA resolutions in 1961, 1962, and 1963. The norms in these resolutions garnered widespread acceptance and practice, leading to their codification in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. This treaty continues to demonstrate its relevance 57 years later, and particularly Article IV that commits states not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction. Canada welcomes the resolution on Weapons of Mass Destruction in Outer Space submitted by the United States and Japan and is pleased to cosponsor this important measure. Canada reaffirms its strong commitment to the Outer Space Treaty as the foundation for the international legal framework on space and urges all States that have not done so to ratify or accede this important instrument. 

Madam Chair,  

Canada appreciates the efforts undertaken by Egypt, Brazil, Indonesia, Jordan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Sri Lanka to merge the two Open-Ended Working Groups that were established by resolutions 78/20 and 78/238. We share the view that merging these two groups will save money, reduce the burden on small delegation that may struggle to meet the demands of a busy disarmament calendar, and be more conducive to reconciling divergent views and opinions. This is precisely why Canada voted to establish only one of these working groups. However, merging these groups needs to respect the will of the General Assembly, and allow states to discuss the issues that they voted for—and which were passed—under 78/20 and 78/238. Canada can only support a compromise that is fair and balanced, and we remain hopeful that this can be achieved. 

Canada wishes to conclude its statement by reiterating the importance of a secure space environment to civilian populations around the world, and by drawing attention to the differentiated impacts which a disruption to space systems could have to vulnerable population groups. Canada will continue to highlight the importance of applying diverse and gender-informed perspectives to discussions in the upcoming open-ended working group[s]. Furthermore, Canada will continue to champion the full, meaningful, and equal participation of women in discussions on space security, as in all aspects of disarmament.  

As we said at the outset, Madam Chair, we all derive important benefits from outer space. Canada looks forward to working with all parties to keep this vital domain secure and sustainable for generations to come.