The UN General Assembly on Monday debated Russia’s veto in the Security Council which blocked a draft resolution aimed at preventing a new extraterrestrial arms race.
Due to the negative Russian vote, the Security Council failed to adopt last month’s text, which received 13 votes in favour, with China abstaining. The draft resolution was introduced by United States and Japan and co-sponsored by over 60 nations.
Assembly Vice-President Ahmad Faisal Muhamad opened the debate by reading a message from Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly.
Mr. Francis expressed concern that the Council could not reach consensus on addressing weapons of mass destruction in outer space.
“Outer space does not belong to individual nations. Its peaceful and sustainable use is not subject to national appropriation and must be a place of peace and cooperation for the benefit and in the interest of all countries,” he said.
“The militarisation of outer space is a very concerning trend. Besides further deepening mistrust and divisions, this inevitably threatens life on Earth and could have catastrophic consequences.”
Clear prohibition
The Assembly President emphasised that the 1967 Outer Space Treaty “clearly prohibits” States parties from placing, installing or stationing in orbit around Earth, or anywhere else in the cosmos, spacecraft carrying nuclear weapons or any other weapons of mass destruction.
Calling on all Member States to help safeguard the UN’s non-proliferation objectives both on Earth and in space, he urged nations to take all necessary steps to “keep the space weapons free”.
The debate was held as part of the General Assembly’s mandate under resolution 76/262 to discuss situations involving Security Council vetoes within 10 days of its use.
The veto is a unique voting power held by the Security Council’s five permanent members – China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States. A negative vote from any of these countries automatically causes a resolution or decision to fail.
