United Nations General Assembly: First Committee – Explanation of Vote on Cluster 3 (outer space)

Statement delivered by Christine Nam, Adviser

Thank you Chair.

I take floor to explain New Zealand's votes on three resolutions in this cluster.

New Zealand continues to vote against resolution L.59 on "No first placement of weapons in outer space".

As a space-launching state, New Zealand advocates for a space environment that is peaceful, sustainable, safe and secure. In line with that, New Zealand strongly supports efforts towards preventing an arms race in outer space.

Although the potential weaponisation of space is an important element of this issue, New Zealand continues to hold concerns about the approach in this resolution that seeks to regulate only the first placement of weapons in outer space. This approach risks providing tacit approval for second and subsequent placement of weapons. It also does not address the risk of Earth-to-Space threats to space objects, such as ground-launched anti-satellite weapons.

We are further concerned that, given the physical realities of the space environment and the dual-use nature of many space-capabilities, important questions around definitions and verification have yet to be addressed.

New Zealand also continues to vote against the resolution L.6 on "Further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space".

We support efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space. However, we continue to have significant reservations with the focus of this resolution on an international legally binding instrument for the prevention of placement of weapons in outer space. We are not convinced that this is a viable mechanism for addressing space security issues.

In our view, voluntary as well as legally-binding measures play a part in preventing an arms race in outer space. It is important that we further consider and discuss a range of approaches, including the development of emerging norms and principles, to reach international agreement.

For these reasons, we voted against this resolution.

Chair,

This year, we welcomed the efforts of the core group to reach agreement on the decision
L.61/Rev 1 on "Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space."

New Zealand voted in support of this decision to merge the two existing Open-Ended Working Groups in a way that appropriately reflects the elements of both mandates, as well as the diverging views of member states, to provide a dedicated forum for constructive and open discussion.

We share concerns that having two open-ended working groups on reducing space threats and PAROS, as mandated by this Committee in the previous session, risks crowding and confusing the space security conversation. Our view is that having two parallel processes would create capacity challenges for effective engagement by smaller States and those with emerging space capabilities.

We look forward to continuing the momentum from previous space security discussions and building on the recently concluded Open-Ended Working Group on reducing space threats through norms, rules, and principles of responsible behaviour, and the work of the Group of Governmental experts on prevention of an arms race in outer space.

Finally we reiterate our view that it is essential to engage voices from diverse communities and regions on space security issues. Championing multistakeholder collaboration will continue to be a focus for New Zealand, including in these processes.

Thank you, Chair.

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