UN committee backs space resolution amid dispute over development language

The UN General Assembly’s Fourth Committee has approved by consensus a draft resolution calling on states, especially those with major space capabilities, to help prevent an arms race in outer space and expand developing countries’ access to space technology.

The resolution on international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space was adopted without a vote on 30 October, after the meeting was briefly suspended. It also asks the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs to explore ways to strengthen its capacity to support countries seeking to use space science and technology for development.

The agreement followed disagreement over the draft’s language. The United States said it was dissociating from references to space and global health and to developing countries. Its representative argued that the latter term had “lost meaning” and was being used by some countries to gain an unfair advantage in the allocation of UN resources.

Mexico’s delegate regretted the removal of provisions on gender equality, women’s participation in space activities and links between space technology and the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Costa Rica also stressed women’s and girls’ participation, while El Salvador cautioned that the compressed negotiations should not set a precedent for future years.

The Russian delegation withdrew proposed amendments after the committee reached consensus. Kuwait’s vice-chair, Fahad Mohammad Alajmi, said the agreement showed that members could reach results when they set political differences aside and engaged constructively.

The committee’s discussion also exposed wider divisions over how space should be governed and who should benefit from it. Iran’s representative opposed attempts by a small number of actors to dominate space and its resources, while Nigeria, Bangladesh and Cuba raised concerns about sustainability, space debris and access to technology. Cuba’s delegate also criticised sanctions and described her country’s use of space applications for disaster preparedness.

The resolution sets out the committee’s agreed position and recommendations; the UN account does not describe it as a binding measure. Its adoption by consensus came alongside objections to parts of the text, underscoring that agreement on the resolution did not mean every delegation supported all of its language.