STATEMENT BY CHEYENNE ONG, DELEGATE TO THE 79TH UNGA, PERMANENT MISSION OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS AT THE CLUSTER 3 THEMATIC DEBATE ON OUTER SPACE: DISARMAMENT ASPECTS OF THE 79TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIRST COMMITTEE, 29 OCTOBER 2024

Thank you, Madam Chair,

Singapore aligns itself with the statement delivered by Indonesia on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, and had earlier delivered a statement on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Please allow me to add further points in our national capacity.

2 Outer space capabilities are unique and indispensable tools for States in tackling global challenges such as climate change. The utilisation of outer space yields significant benefits that should be equally available to both developed and developing countries. No State should attempt to hoard these benefits by appropriating outer space on the basis of sovereignty claims, by means of use or occupation. 

3 Singapore has always subscribed to a rules-based approach based on the application of international law, to ensure the responsible use of outer space by all. As a party to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, we believe the Treaty and other relevant international law forms the bedrock of all discussions on the governance of outer space. We participated actively in the 2022 – 2023 Open-Ended Working Group on Reducing Space Threats, which focused on the development of norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviour in outer space. Earlier this year, we also participated in the intersessional meeting of the Group of Governmental Experts on Further Practical Measures for the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (GGE on PAROS), which allowed non-members of the GGE to engage substantively on the issue of space security. We also reiterate our support for discussions around the identification of a common framework for space security, and we remain open to the notion of a future legally-binding instrument to strengthen the application of international law in outer space. We regard non-binding and legally-binding measures as complementary in this context, and encourage all States to actively engage in conversation about both types of measures in a constructive and meaningful way. 

4 Concrete steps must also be taken to foster clear and effective communication between spacefaring nations, to reduce the risk of misunderstandings, mistrust and miscalculations. We encourage all Member States to build on achieved consensus, such as the 2013 GGE on Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures in Outer Space Activities and the recent GGE on PAROS. Singapore supports the conduct of outer space activities in a transparent way, particularly in Rendezvous and Proximity Operations, where advance notifications prior to such activities should be provided to the extent practicable. While such activities may be conducted for peaceful purposes, there remains a risk that such operations may be misinterpreted.

5 In the interest of preserving outer space as the province of all humankind, Singapore believes that the intentional creation of space debris through destructive anti-satellite activities cannot be accepted or tolerated. Such activities create vast amounts of space debris that indiscriminately threaten satellites and other spacecraft in the same orbital region. Space debris also pose a disproportionate risk to countries near the equator such as Singapore, as equatorial regions are more likely to be hit with falling space debris. In this regard, we support the cessation of all destructive anti-satellite activities, whether direct-ascent or co-orbital.  

6 As space activities have global consequences, discussions on outer space should take place in an inclusive manner. To that end, we support the establishment of an appropriate platform to enable coherent discussions on space security. Singapore affirms our support for ongoing efforts to streamline the work of the two Open-Ended Working Groups on outer space that were established at the 78th UNGA First Committee in 2023. This merger would enable the participation of small and developing states with limited resources, and reduce duplication, inefficiencies and fragmentation of discussions on outer space security.

Madam Chair,

7 To conclude, the preservation of a sustainable, secure and stable outer space must continue to be a top priority for the benefit of humanity. Singapore reaffirms the importance of and our commitment to reducing space threats and preventing an arms race in outer space.

8 I thank you.

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