Weapons of Mass Destruction in Outer Space

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Resolution of the General Assembly, under agenda item 96a Prevention of an arms race in outer space, published in 2024.

What subjects does this mandate have?

5 subjects

Disarmament Negotiations Nuclear Weapons Outer Space Space Warfare Weapons of Mass Destruction

What’s in this document?

7 operative paragraphs

Urges that all Member States carrying out activities in the exploration and use of outer space do so in full compliance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and fostering international cooperation, collaboration and understanding;

Calls upon all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the objective of the peaceful use of outer space and of the prevention of an arms race in outer space and to refrain from actions contrary to that objective and to the relevant existing treaties in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international cooperation;

Emphasizes the urgency of preventing an arms race in outer space in all its aspects, including, inter alia, the weaponization of outer space, and calls upon all States to advance further measures and with appropriate and effective provisions for verification, as early as possible, consistent with the provisions of the Outer Space Treaty, and with the engagement of all relevant stakeholders, which could involve a combination of legally binding obligations and political commitments, and could relate to, inter alia, the threat or use of force against outer space objects, prohibiting the placement of weapons in outer space, preventing the possibility of the extension of armed conflict into outer space, as well as measures and efforts to reduce the risk of tensions arising from misperceptions and miscalculations;

Affirms the obligation of all States parties to fully comply with the Outer Space Treaty, including not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, install such weapons on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space in any other manner;

Emphasizes with concern the grave consequences, including but not limited to the negative repercussions for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities and, in turn, on sustainable development, on the environment and on the provision of civilian services, including social services and economic activities, which could result from a detonation of a nuclear weapon in outer space;

Recalls the obligations of States parties under multilateral treaties related to nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, including those pertaining to testing, and urges Member States, taking into account article IV of the Outer Space Treaty, not to develop nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction specifically designed to be placed in orbit around the Earth, to be installed on celestial bodies, or to be stationed in outer space in any other manner;

Urges the promotion of the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes and for the benefit of all peoples, including through renewed efforts to uphold and promote universal accession to and compliance with the Outer Space Treaty, and calls upon all Member States which have not yet done so to become parties to the Outer Space Treaty without delay.

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

What subjects does this mandate have?

What’s in this document?

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