UNITED NATIONS
Pakistan called for legally-binding international instruments that ensure accountability and rule of law in outer space at a UN Security Council meeting devoted to discussing the risks of uncontrolled Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, highlighting issues like digital divides, disinformation, militarization, sovereignty threats, and space debris.
“The unregulated expansion of commercial activities in LEO is resulting in the concentration of orbital slots, spectrum, space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities, and economic benefits among a limited number of actors,” Pakistani delegate Gul Qaiser Sarwani told the 15-member Council meeting held under Arria-Formula format named after a former Venezuelan Ambassador to the UN, Diego Arriva.
“Without corrective measures, developing and space-emerging countries risk long-term marginalization,” said Sarwani, counsellor/political coordinator at the Pakistan Mission to the UN. Arria-Formula meetings are informal that enable Security Council members to have a frank and private exchange of views on relevant subjects The meeting was convened by the Russian Federation.
In his remarks, Sarwani reaffirmed Pakistan’s stand that outer space, including LEO, is the province of all humankind, not subject to national appropriation or de facto control.” Technological or commercial dominance must not translate into exclusive access or regulatory advantage,” he said. Pointing out that unregulated expansion of LEO’s commercial activities is resulting in the concentration of orbital slots, spectrum, space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities, and economic benefits among a limited number of actors.
