UN Advances: 'confidence-building measures in outer space' pushed by Russia-China

The First Committee of the 64th UN General Assembly session approved on October 29 by consensus a draft resolution on transparency and confidence building measures in outer space activities (TCBMs) jointly submitted by Russia and China. Moreover, 68 countries had this year acted as cosponsors of the draft, reflecting the growth of its support among the UN member states. Of particular note, the EU countries became a collective cosponsor.

The unanimous support of a Russian draft proposal on confidence-building measures in outer space will pave the way for talks on an agreement on the demilitarization of space, a Russian diplomat said recently. The proposal for the space agreement was backed by China.

The draft resolution on Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures in Outer Space, submitted by Russia and China, was approved by all 192 members of the UN First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) recently.

In the past, only the United States and several island nations opposed similar Russian proposals. The approval of the draft document by the committee practically ensures that the proposals will be adopted by the UN General Assembly in December.

"The unanimous support of this resolution indicates that the conditions have been created to use this treaty as a basis for opening talks in the near future on a legally-binding agreement banning the deployment of weapons in outer space," said Viktor Vasilyev, a deputy head of the Russian delegation in the First Committee.

Vasilyev emphasized the fact that the U.S. has decided for the first time to go along with the rest of the world and Washington has noted the importance of bilateral cooperation with Russia on all issues related to outer space. It clearly shows the shift in U.S. global policies in general and builds up optimism on the success of future talks on demilitarization of outer space, the Russian diplomat concluded.

In consultation with allies, the United States is currently in the process of assessing options for international cooperation in space as a part of a comprehensive review of national space policy. This review of space cooperation options includes a “blank slate” analysis of the feasibility and desirability of options for TCBMs that enhance spaceflight safety and advance the national security interests of the United States and its allies, as well as of all spacefaring nations.

Gordon G. Chang, a Forbes writer, has an interesting analysis of the space weapons politics.