United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
In June 2016 the Committee agreed to a first set of guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities ( A/71/20, Annex). In 2018, consensus was reached on a preamble and nine additional guidelines ( A/AC.105/1167, Annex III and A/73/20 ), although the Working Group could not agree on its final report.
In June 2019, the Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space were adopted. The Guidelines provide guidance on the policy and regulatory framework for space activities; safety of space operations; international cooperation, capacity-building and awareness; and scientific and technical research and development.
The Committee encourages States and international intergovernmental organizations to voluntarily take measures to ensure that the guidelines are implemented to the greatest extent feasible and practicable. The Committee should also serve as the principal forum for continued institutionalized dialogue on issues related to the implementation and review of the guidelines.
Also at its sixty-second session in 2019, the Committee decided to establish a new working group on the topic under the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee. More information may be found in addenda 4 and 6 of the draft report of the session.
See below for recent documents relating to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. For more documents, search theDocuments Database.
