Statement on behalf of the Delegation of the Republic of Latvia, Fourth Committee of the 79th UN General Assembly, International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space
New York, 30 October 2024
Mr. Chair,
Latvia fully aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and would like to make some remarks in its national capacity.
The opportunities offered by space are vast, ranging from technological innovation and scientific discovery to advancements in communication, navigation, and Earth observation. However, the continued safe and sustainable use of Outer space is increasingly threatened by emerging challenges that require urgent and coordinated international action.
As space becomes more crowded with governmental, commercial, and private actors, the risk of unintentional accidents or deliberate incidents grows. Debris from defunct satellites and spent rocket stages pose a significant threat to space operations. With the myriad of objects in the orbit, space is increasingly congested and the space traffic management must remain a priority.
Continued safe and sustainable use of outer space requires enhanced international cooperation and robust governance to address the most pressing challenges in this field.
Latvia strongly advocates for the development and strengthening of norms for responsible behaviour in space, which are essential for safe and accessible exploration of space for all nations, prevent the weaponization of space and reduce the risk of collisions that could hinder future exploration.
Therefore, Latvia expresses its unwavering commitment to the Outer Space Treaty, which is the cornerstone of international space law, ensuring that space remains a domain for peaceful purposes.
Mr. Chair,
Latvia fully supports ongoing efforts within the United Nations, including the work of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). We believe that safety, transparency, accountability, and international cooperation must be the guiding principles of space governance.
As a prospective member of the COPUOS, Latvia will bring its expertise, commitment, and constructive engagement for enhancing international cooperation, scientific research, and the development of space technologies. Allow me to highlight some of Latvia’s on-going efforts in addressing challenges in the space sector:
o Latvia has a growing space industry and has developed its first Space Strategy for the years 2021-2027, with a focus on education and skills development; scientific and engineering research; and entering in the space supply chains.
o Latvia is an active participant in international space exploration and research, and our collaboration with international space organizations continues to expand. For instance:
· Latvia is an associate member of the European Space Agency (ESA) since 2020 and has launched an ESA Space Business Incubator Centre (BIC). Most recently, Latvia contributed to ESA’s ground-breaking planetary protection mission Hera.
· Latvia is invited to take part in the Lunar Gateway – a joint mission of NASA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency, to build a space station to orbit the Moon.
· Latvia is actively participating in the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking System, which is important for collision avoidance.
· Multiple Latvian companies and scientists have made significant contributions to a number of important space programmes, and are actively engaging in various aspects of the space industry.
Mr. Chair,
In conclusion, Latvia recognizes the key role of COPUOS in promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of space, advancing responsible space exploration and promoting the equitable benefits of space technologies.
We appreciate the cross-regional support of Member States who have co-sponsored the draft decision on Latvia’s membership in COPUOS. In the same spirit of collaboration, we look forward to the successful adoption of decisions on COPUOS membership of both Djibouti and Latvia.
I thank you.