Examines Preliminary Draft Protocol on Matters Specific to Space Assets,
Establishes a
Work Plan Aimed at Harmonizing Practices of Registering Objects Launched
into Space,
And Considers a Report on Ethics in Outer Space

VIENNA, 7 April (UN Information Service) — A possible treaty for
proprietary interests in space assets was amongst the main issues discussed
by the Legal Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful
Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) during its forty-second session here (24 March
to 4 April).

Another topic of discussion was harmonizing the practice of States and
international organizations in registering space objects. A symposium, held
during the first day of the session, examined ways of reinforcing the
Convention on the Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space.

The Subcommittee agreed that it would contribute to a report of COPUOS
on progress made in implementing the recommendations of the Third United
Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
(UNISPACE III). The Subcommittee’s contribution will review developments in
space law over the past five years.

The Subcommittee considered a proposed draft General Assembly resolution
on the concept of the “launching state”, which will be considered further
by the COPUOS session in June.

A report of a group of experts on the ethics of outer space was
considered by the Subcommittee. The report identified which aspects of an
earlier report by the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific
Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) of the United Nations Education,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) might need to be studied by
COPUOS. The report observes that it is vital to take an ethical approach to
activities performed in areas outside the jurisdiction of a single State
and recalls that many ethical principles have already been transformed into
basics of space law, which is codified in various international treaties on
space activities. The Subcommittee will continue to consider the report at
its next session.

Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and aPreliminary Draft Protocol on Matters Specific to Space Assets

The Subcommittee discussed the Convention on International Interests in
Mobile Equipment and its preliminary draft protocol on matters specific to
space assets as a key item of the session. This treaty regime is designed
to increase access to asset-based financing for space projects, which
should enable creditors to reduce their risk by obtaining the asset as
collateral and therefore to finance space projects more frequently and at a
lower interest rate. The protocol aims at promoting the financing of space
activities.

The Convention establishes a general legal framework for registering
interests in mobile high-value equipment that moves across national
boundaries. The protocol on matters specific to space assets is aimed at
establishing an international system for registering property interests in
space

assets. The protocol is still at the preliminary draft stage and is
being developed by the International Institute for the Unification of
Private Law (Unidroit), an organization not affiliated to the United
Nations.

The Subcommittee discussed several aspects of the draft protocol, in
particular the possibility of the United Nations serving as supervisory
authority under the protocol. Another aspect discussed was the relationship
between the protocol and existing United Nations treaties on outer space.

New Agenda Item on the Practice of States and International
Organizations in Registering Space Objects

The Subcommittee agreed to consider a new agenda item on the practice of
States and international organizations in registering space objects under a
four-year work plan. A working group will be established in order to
examine ways of harmonizing the practices by which different States and
international organizations provide information to the United Nations under
the Convention on the Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space.
The working group will consider the effects that recent developments, such
as increased private sector involvement and increased international
cooperation in space activities, have on registration practices.

A Symposium, held during the first day of the Subcommittee session,
examined ways of reinforcing the Convention on the Registration of Objects
Launched into Outer Space. Under the 1975 Convention, Member States provide
the United Nations with information on objects they have launched into
outer space. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs maintains an
on-line searchable register of objects launched into outer space, based on
this information.

Membership

The Subcommittee like COPUOS, its parent Committee, has the following
Member States: Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile,
China, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany,
Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan,
Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands,
Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal,
Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal,
Sierra Leone, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Syrian Arab
Republic, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay,
Venezuela and Viet Nam.

For more information visit the web site of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs at http://www.oosa.unvienna.org

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