Deal boosts hopes of peace in outer space
UN body is to be applauded for reaching agreement on actions to address threats and security challenges
Recent global events have raised fears that international cooperation is an impossible dream. Earlier this year, even UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres lamented the dysfunction of a “deadlocked” Security Council as the world enters “an age of chaos”. So it was encouraging to learn that experts representing governments around the world have agreed on steps to keep the peace and avoid an arms race in space.
Members of GGE-PAROS, a United Nations body focused on further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space, reached a consensus on actions to address related threats and security challenges. After their latest talks on August 16, a report on key components of a legally binding instrument was adopted. The document has not yet been released, but Victoria Samson, chief director of space security and stability at the Secure World Foundation, said word of an agreement was “a huge deal”.
Set up in 2017, GGE-PAROS held sessions in Geneva in 2018 and again in 2019, when the group failed to reach a consensus on a final report. China said the United States was the “sole obstruction”. Last year, Moscow was reportedly among the governments that blocked progress on similar talks at a UN open-ended working group. In the latest meetings, Russia was reportedly key to an agreement taking shape.