SWF Statement – UN COPUOS LSC, Exchange of Views: LTS Guidelines, Space Resources, and Legal Capacity Building (April 2019)

Secure World Foundation highlights its ongoing efforts in supporting the work of the Legal Subcommittee through legal capacity building, sustainability promotion, and multilateral engagement.

Key points include:

• Promotion of the LTS Guidelines:
  SWF commends COPUOS for reaching consensus on the 21 Long-Term Sustainability (LTS) Guidelines and pledges to promote awareness and implementation through events and publications.
• Handbook for New Actors in Space:
  With over 4,500 copies distributed globally, the Handbook remains a central tool in educating new governmental and non-governmental actors. It is available in print, e-reader, and free PDF formats.
• The Hague Working Group:
  SWF remains a member of the Hague International Space Resources Governance Working Group, contributing to the finalization of the Building Blocks for a Legal Framework on Space Resource Activities, based on broad stakeholder input.
• Conferences & Youth Engagement:
  At the 2018 IAC in Bremen, SWF participated in discussions on space resource governance, on-orbit servicing, and citizen science. The Foundation also awarded travel scholarships for youth presenting on space law and sustainability.
• Summit for Space Sustainability:
  SWF announced the inaugural Summit for Space Sustainability, scheduled for June 2019 in Washington, DC. The event will explore norms of responsible behavior and convene global stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society.
• Organizational Update:
  Dr. Peter Martinez (former LTS Working Group Chair) is introduced as the new Executive Director, succeeding Dr. Michael Simpson.

The statement concludes with a reaffirmation of the need for cooperative and international approaches to safeguarding the long-term usability of the outer space environment.