STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS BY AMBASSADOR BURHAN GAFOOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, FOR CLUSTER 3 OF THE FIRST COMMITTEE THEMATIC DISCUSSIONS (OUTER SPACE) OF THE 79TH SESSION OF THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 29 OCTOBER 2024

Thank you, Madam Chair.

 I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

2 ASEAN has taken the consistent position that access to outer space is an inalienable right of all States, and one that no State should feel compelled to contest. Outer space should be used exclusively for peaceful purposes, and for the collective benefit of humanity. All activities in outer space must be conducted in accordance with international law and the principle of non-appropriation of outer space. 

3 ASEAN therefore remains seriously concerned over threats to international peace and security posed by the possible weaponization of outer space, or the conversion of outer space into a domain for warfare and armed conflict. We reaffirm the vital importance of preventing an arms race in outer space and call on the General Assembly to continue playing a leading role in ensuring the peaceful use and exploration of outer space.  

4 ASEAN would like to emphasise that discussions on outer space must take place in an open, inclusive, transparent, sustainable, and flexible manner. We particularly welcome discussions that allow for the participation of small and developing States with limited resources to shape the institutions and mechanisms that promote peace in outer space. In that vein, ASEAN also supports efforts to streamline the work of the two Open-Ended Working Groups  on outer space that were established at the 78th UNGA session in 2023. We see this as a key procedural step towards streamlining and focusing our conversations, allowing us to make meaningful progress on outer space security. The recent adoption of the final report by consensus at the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) established pursuant to the UN General Assembly resolution 77/250 on further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space, is proof that differences in positions on outer space among States are not intractable.

5 States must recognise that should we be unable to reach an agreement on the best way to regulate and govern the use of outer space, preserving its peace will become increasingly challenging in a rapidly evolving space security environment. We therefore reiterate the urgent need for the commencement of substantive negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament on a legally binding and multilaterally verifiable instrument, including the prohibition of the placement of weapons in outer space and the prohibition of the threat or use of force against outer space objects. On the issue of missiles in all its aspects, we must adopt a universal, comprehensive, and non-discriminatory multilateral approach towards our discussions, that is negotiated multilaterally within the UN. Any initiatives on this subject should take into account the security concerns of all states and their inherent right to peaceful uses of space technologies.

6 ASEAN also recognizes the significant progress made by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in promoting international cooperation on the peaceful uses of outer space. In this regard, ASEAN welcomes the upcoming joint panel discussion of the First and Fourth Committees on possible challenges to space security and sustainability to be held this year. 

7 Within our region, ASEAN also welcomes the strengthening of capacity-building programs, with particular emphasis on developing countries, so that access to outer space is guaranteed for all countries. We will continue to support activities that help deepen understanding on issues pertaining to space security in Asia, including the organisation of Space Security Workshops by the ASEAN Regional Forum since 2012. Such workshops explore critical issues such as space security threats and hazards and promote transparency and confidence-building measures.

Madam Chair,

8 In closing, ASEAN would like to emphasise that discussions on and activities in outer space should not be the exclusive preserve of a small group of States. Creating a peaceful outer space will require all members of the international community, especially those with major space capabilities, to opt into the building of norms and instruments that encourage the responsible use and exploration of outer space. ASEAN will continue to work constructively with all Member States to achieve this goal.   

9 Thank you very much for your attention.

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