The African Perspectives for Advancing Space Security through Norms, Rules and Principles of Responsible Behaviours Workshop, co-organised by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), the Kenyan Space Agency (KSA), the United Kingdom, and the Secure World Foundation (SWF) is scheduled for 15 – 16 March 2023 at Nairobi, Kenya.
About the Workshop
The space sector plays a vital role in enabling modern life on Earth. Nonetheless, as various intra-partnerships and inter-partnerships dedicated to advancing socio-economic development in multiple countries increased, so did growing concerns about the tension and conflicts between space actors.
To mitigate such occurrences, the States established an open-ended working group per the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution 76/231 on “Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours”. The group aims to provide recommendations on possible solutions, rules, and principles of responsible behaviour that can pose threats to States to disrupt space systems and facilities.
Furthermore, the group is expected to recommend how they would contribute to negotiating legally binding rules, including mitigating the militarisation of outer space for peaceful purposes. To this end, three of the four slated workshop sessions have taken place, and it is left to the States to draft a recommendation report to be submitted to the UNGA during its 78th session.
The workshop was established to educate the States of the African region about matters addressed within the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) and advance, through regional perspectives, the understanding of space security. The event is expected to bring together expertise from diverse experts and foster an informal discussion about the current difficulties and obstacles to space security and stability and the expected principles that will ensure the continuous peaceful use of outer space.
Important Note
The workshop will be a closed event for representatives of African states to encourage a critical and sincere exchange of ideas. Furthermore, the event will also be on-site, with the possibility of virtual participation upon request.
The organisers encourage participation from regional representatives and experts specialising in issues about space security, particularly directors or division heads in charge of space security matters. Participants will have the chance to ask questions and interact with the panellists.
After the event, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) will publish and promote a short factual report summarising the event’s highlights.
For more information, please contact the SWF Washington Office Director, Victoria Samson.
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