SWF Statement – UN COPUOS STSC, Agenda LTS: Draft Guidelines and TCBMs for Space Sustainability (February 2014)

This statement commends the UN COPUOS Working Group’s progress on drafting 33 preliminary guidelines for the long-term sustainability (LTS) of outer space activities. It highlights the international and collaborative nature of the process, involving experts from over 30 nations and multiple organizations. The statement underscores the importance of reaching timely consensus on voluntary best practices to safeguard space’s role in addressing global challenges like climate change, food security, and disaster management. It also notes the complementary work of the UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures (TCBMs) and encourages COPUOS to explore the linkages between LTS guidelines and TCBMs for a more secure and sustainable space environment.