June 2018 – UN COPUOS: Agenda Item 4 – General Exchange of Views on Space Governance, Sustainability, and UNISPACE+50

Secure World Foundation reflects on the evolving complexity of the global space environment and emphasizes the growing presence of diverse actors—including startups, academic institutions, and amateur operators—in addition to traditional agencies and corporations. The Foundation underscores the increasing importance of private sector engagement in discussions on space governance and law.

Key points include:

• Support for LTS Guidelines: SWF affirms that sustainability in space is essential for sustainability on Earth, given our growing reliance on space-based systems for observation, navigation, and communication.
• National and International Legal Frameworks: The statement notes that national laws are playing an increasingly important role alongside international treaties, providing regulatory mechanisms for licensing, authorization, and supervision of non-governmental activities.
• Reflections on Future Governance: SWF invites the Committee to consider questions about COPUOS’s structure and function:
  • What new agenda items are needed?
  • Should the private sector have a stronger voice?
  • Would longer Chair terms improve continuity?
  • Is a simplified procedural rulebook required?
• Space2030 Agenda: SWF reiterates its support for the “Space2030” agenda as a roadmap for linking space governance to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the global development agenda.

The Foundation closes by honoring COPUOS’s leadership and reasserting its commitment to a secure, sustainable, and peaceful outer space environment.