Our Common Agenda - Policy Brief 7: For All Humanity – the Future of Outer Space Governance

In the wake of drastic changes in humanity's access to and operations in outer space, the United Nations Secretary-General introduces the policy brief 'Our Common Agenda - Policy Brief 7: For All Humanity – The Future of Outer Space Governance'. The brief, formulated with the aid of member states and multi-stakeholder consultations, contains an examination of these extraordinary changes, their impacts on safety, security, and sustainability of outer space governance. It underscores the need to understand and address the emerging risks to outer space security and sustainability and highlights the significance of agile and multi-stakeholder governance responses.

The brief outlines the major trends impacting space sustainability, security of outer space activities, and their possible implications for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Key among these trends is the increasing congestion in low Earth orbit and competition in space, mandating an urgent need for a collective approach. Member States recognize the need for the exploration and utilization of outer space for peaceful purposes and acknowledge the imperative for strengthening global governance of outer space.

In recent years, there has been a paradigm shift in our engagement with outer space. The brief draws attention to the unprecedented increase in the number of objects launched into orbit, private sector participation, and plans by public and private actors for the long-term presence of humanity among the celestial bodies. These changes come with both opportunities and risks. While the satellite launches have increased exponentially over the years, primarily driven by private sector actors, there are concerns about the sustainability of these trends. As we aim to leverage these technology-enabled breakthroughs, the brief emphasizes the need to further develop existing governance to ensure sustainable innovation and discovery to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. You can download the English version of "Our Common Agenda - Policy Brief 7: For All Humanity – the Future of Outer Space Governance" through the button below this article.