July 2026 – Statement to the Open-ended Working Group on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space in All its Aspects

3rd Session of the OEWG on PAROS in All Its Aspects

July 6–10, 2026
Statement of the Secure World Foundation
Delivered by Dr. Peter Martinez on July 10, 2026

Chair,

Thank you for giving Secure World Foundation an opportunity to share some of our thoughts on the matters under consideration in this third session of the OEWG on PAROS in all its aspects.

Chair,

Many delegations have commented on the importance of information sharing as a tool for building confidence and transparency. Although this could certainly be achieved through new voluntary, non-binding mechanisms, there may be cases where information sharing could be seen in light of the Article VI obligation on States to provide ongoing supervision of space activities carried out by entities under their jurisdiction and control. It may be useful to consider the role of Article XI in meeting Article VI obligations.

Article XI of the Outer Space Treaty addresses the sharing of information on the conduct of space activities, to the greatest extent feasible and practicable, including the nature, conduct, locations, and results of such activities.

We encourage delegations to consider whether there may be benefits in exploring the potential of using this provision, including its built-in information distribution mechanism through the United Nations, as an existing framework for enhancing transparency, particularly in light of emerging technologies such as on-orbit servicing and assembly, manufacturing, and rendezvous and proximity operations.

Moreover, providing information on planned activities or the use of novel technologies through Article XI would offer a considerable advantage over publication on national websites, as the information would be proactively disseminated to the international community through the United Nations.

Chair,

I turn now to the protection of space objects from deliberate disruption or harmful interference.

Several delegations have suggested that space systems providing essential civilian services and supporting humanitarian functions should be protected from intentional disruption or harmful interference, and that there might be value in finding some way to designate these systems as critical civilian and humanitarian infrastructure as a form of protection from attack in the case of an armed conflict.

LTS Guideline A.5 encourages States to follow enhanced registration practices as contained in General Assembly resolution 62/101, which calls for the voluntary submission of more than the minimum required information as a means to enhance the utility of the Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space, established under Article III of the Registration Convention.

Resolution 62/101 specifies that such information could include, among other things, “any useful information relating to the function of the space object in addition to the general function requested by the Registration Convention.”

States could consider a practice of using this provision to designate their national space systems that are critical for civilian and humanitarian services.

Chair,

A number of delegations have referred to the report of the 2013 GGE on space TCBMs and the LTS Guidelines. Both of these are consensus documents, and they are complementary. This is not an accident, but rather the result of deliberate efforts to align the work that was being done under the First and Fourth Committee bodies on space security and space sustainability at that time.

Within the time available to deliver a verbal statement, we cannot articulate these connections here. However, we would be happy to elaborate on the connections that are relevant to the subject matter of this OEWG in a text submission to the Secretariat.

Chair,

With regard to possible voluntary TCBMs, Secure World Foundation believes there are a number of measures that States could consider. These include:

• Demonstrating commitment to the existing legal framework governing outer space activities, notably by signing and ratifying the Outer Space Treaty, Registration Convention, and Liability Convention

• Registering space objects, including military objects, in a timely manner with the United Nations and considering enhanced registration practices under General Assembly resolution 62/101

• Providing transparency regarding plans and intentions for space activities, such as prior notifications of launches, maneuvers, or close approaches, where possible

• Committing to refrain from non-consensual and uncoordinated rendezvous and close-proximity operations

• Sharing information about national civilian and military policies and doctrines pertaining to space

• Following existing best practices for orbital debris mitigation, including for military activities

• Declaring a commitment and implementing measures to minimize, as far as practicable, the creation of long-lived orbital debris in the course of normal space operations

• Declaring a commitment not to carry out activities that intentionally generate large amounts of orbital debris

Chair,

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to present these remarks today. We hope that they will provide useful food for thought for delegations.

Thank you.

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