Published on 30 August 2023 in Client Alerts
The final report as adopted has not been published yet. However, it appears from the draft reports that the committee has touched upon four major areas of discussion namely: space and sustainable development;[2] space and water;[3] space and climate change;[4] and the “Space2030” Agenda.[5] The committee acknowledged the significant role of space science and technology in improving the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes of action relating to environmental protection, land and water management, urban and rural development. The committee also noted that a large number of space-borne platforms address many water-related issues.
Looking into the future, the committee’s “Space2030” Agenda considered ways to bridge the capacity gap of different States to use space technologies. It also took into account the possible use of outer space to enhance sustainable ocean economies.
The COPUOS report represents a growing consensus amongst States in the field of outer space, its peaceful use and the global integration of space based technology. The committee has recommended that it continue examining the same issues at its next session in 2024[6].
[1] See United Nations General Assembly, International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, UN Doc. A/RES/77/121, 15 December 2022. See also United Nations General Assembly, The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, UN Doc. A/AC.105/L.332/Add.4, 5 June 2023.
[2] See United Nations General Assembly, The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, UN Doc. A/AC.105/L.332/Add.5, 5 June 2023.
[3] See United Nations General Assembly, The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, UN Doc. A/AC.105/L.332/Add.8, 6 June 2023.
[4] See United Nations General Assembly, The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, UN Doc. A/AC.105/L.332/Add.9, 7 June 2023.
[5] See United Nations General Assembly, The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, UN Doc. A/AC.105/L.332/Add.11, 8 June 2023.
[6] See United Nations General Assembly, The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, UN Doc. A/AC.105/L.332/Add.1, 2 June 2023. See also United Nations General Assembly, The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, UN Doc. A/AC.105/L.332/Add.12, 8 June 2023.
On 24 July 2025, at a one-day summit in Beijing, European Union (“EU”) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to seek to reset the EU-China trade relationship.
Learn moreOn 24 July 2025, the International Criminal Court (the “ICC”) convicted two former Central African Republic (“CAR”) militia leaders of multiple war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Learn moreIn July 2025, India and the United Kingdom (the “UK”) signed an historic free trade agreement (“FTA”). According to the UK Government, the new FTA marks the “biggest and most economically significant new bilateral FTA” since Brexit.
Learn moreIn late July 2025, a five-day armed conflict between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand saw a reported 300,000 people displaced, as well as dozens of casualties.
Learn more