Statement by

Mr. Vahid Ghelich

Third Secretary

Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

Before the Special Political and decolonization Committee

On agenda item 45:” International Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space”

New York, 26 October 2022

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

 Mr. Chairman,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, I would like to thank Mr. Omran Sharaf, the distinguished Chair (Dr. Oleg Ventskovsky, the honourable Rapporteur) of the sixty-fifth session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), for his valuable remarks and inputs.

As one of the founding members of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space since its inception in 1958, the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to reaffirm the universally agreed principle that outer space is a common heritage and province for all humankind irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development.

Outer space must be explored and utilized exclusively for peaceful purposes as well as for the benefit of present and future generations of humankind and in conformity with the body of applicable international law. It shall also be accessible for exploration, rational use, and fair access by all States based on equality and non-discrimination, with full respect for the principle of non-appropriation of any part of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies.

Dear Colleagues,

While transparency and confidence-building measures are essential to ensuring the peaceful use of outer space, my delegation reiterates that the promotion of non-intervention and non-interference in the activities of States in exploring and utilizing outer space for peaceful purposes must also be fully observed.

My delegation also highlights the importance of strengthening international collaboration and promoting compliance with the United Nations treaties on outer space. A multilateral approach to international affairs should be supported, and the pre-failed approach of illegal unilateral coercive measures against developing countries should be rejected.

Access to outer space through space science, technologies, and their applications should be available to all States without discrimination of any kind. We strongly believe that the more advanced spacefaring nations should be encouraged to participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives as well as capacity-building and technical assistance with developing countries, irrespective of their degree of economic or scientific development. However, this should not be used as a pretext to impose limitations on the space programmes of developing countries. It is a reality that the research and development in space science and technology play a key role in achieving sustainable development on Earth as well as protecting the outer space environment.

Mr. Chairman

The Islamic Republic of Iran also calls on all Member States to enhance universal endeavors against the arms race, militarization, and placement of weapons of any kind in outer space. Furthermore, Iran fully supports the negotiation of a legally binding instrument to prevent an arms race in outer space.

We also share concerns regarding the increase in space debris and its impact on the sustainable use of outer space. As it is a common concern, addressing it is a shared responsibility. In doing so, States have a differentiated responsibility wherein those who have created such space debris have the exclusive responsibility of its removal. This principle also recognizes the historical differences in the contributions of developed and developing States to outer space problems. Likewise, it acknowledges differences in the respective economic and technical capacities of States to tackle these problems. In our view, any measure to address this space debris needs to be considered thoroughly, taking into account the concerns and interests of all States, and be agreed upon by consensus.

Finally, my delegation would like to, once again, reiterate its strong commitment and support to the work of the COPUOS in promoting the furthest use of space science and technology, ensuring the sustainability of outer space activities as well as ascertaining that it will remain a zone of peace forever.

I thank you.