Conference on Disarmament: CD concludes high-level segment; Discusses prevention of an arms race in outer space
On Monday, the CD was addressed by the Foreign Minister of Finland, thus concluding its annual High-Level Segment. The President of the CD, Vaanchig Purevdori of Mongolia, then invited States to discuss the agenda item on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space. China also made a statement regarding general issues.
States considered the merits of the updated draft Treaty on Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space and of the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects submitted by Russia and China. Some States supported the immediate commencement of negotiations, while others voiced reservations, saying a new legally binding instrument needed to be comprehensive, precise and verifiable. The EU encouraged States to support its proposal for an International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities, which it was committed to commence negotiations on in 2015. States also discussed the merits of transparent confidence-building measures, space debris and the development and testing of destructive anti-satellite weapons.
[source: UNOG]