SWF Statement – UN COPUOS, Agenda Item 4: General Exchange of Views on Space Sustainability and Governance (September 2021)

Secure World Foundation highlights its multifaceted efforts to promote space sustainability, foster multilateral dialogue, and support responsible behavior in outer space over the past year. Despite pandemic-related disruptions, SWF remained actively engaged through virtual platforms and partnerships. Key activities included:

• 3rd Annual Summit for Space Sustainability:
  Held virtually with 550+ participants, the summit covered themes such as climate change and space, large satellite constellations, active debris removal, and the emergence of national military space organizations.
• Academic and Policy Collaborations:
  Partnered with:
  • University of Colorado Boulder on the Space Sustainability Initiative
  • Caelus Foundation and the Chinese Society of Astronautics on U.S.–China commercialization dialogues
  • MIT on the “Serving Society with Space Data” webinar series focused on SDG-driven space applications
• CONFERS Leadership:
  Continued support for the Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS), now with 50+ members, as ISO progresses on its first satellite servicing standard.
• Lunar Governance and Moon Dialogues:
  In collaboration with Arizona State University, Open Lunar Foundation, and others, SWF hosted sessions on lunar safety zones, dust, cultural heritage, and resource governance on the Moon.
• Legal Advisory Project (UNOOSA):
  SWF funded and supported UNOOSA’s initiative to help emerging space actors draft national space legislation aligned with international space law.
• Handbook for New Actors in Space:
  Announced the Chinese edition published by China Astronautic Publishing House, with French edition forthcoming. All editions remain freely available on SWF’s website.
• Private Sector Emphasis:
  The Foundation emphasized that space governance discussions must evolve to include private sector actors, as many innovations now originate outside traditional state-led models.

The statement concludes with a reaffirmation of SWF’s strong support for COPUOS and its ongoing commitment to space security and sustainability.