Revista da
SBDA
Direito Aeronáutico e Direito
Espacial
OBSERVATIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS
At the closing session, participants agreed to state a group of remarkable statements expressing the spirit of ideas and positions developed during activities that are summoned as follows.
- The workshop recommended that States not yet parties to the Space Treaties take the necessary steps to ratify or accede to them.
- The workshop agreed on the importance of promoting a better understanding and knowledge of international space law.
- The workshop recognized the necessity to further develop international space law to address contemporary questions relating to the exploration and use of outer space, including issues arising from the increasing involvement of private and other commercial entities in space activities.
- The workshop recommended that States consider the development of national space legislation and regional agreements, to enable them to offer entities involved in space activities legal certainty and transparency.
- The workshop observed that enacting national space legislation was one of many mechanisms to authorize and continue to supervise space activities of nongovernmental entities, and States are free to use any mechanism they may deem appropriate.
- The workshop agreed that the Declaration on International Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for the Benefit and in the Interest of all States, Taking into Particular Account the Needs of Developing Countries reflects current aspirations of States with respect to international cooperation, particularly when fostering the development of relevant and appropriate space capacities.
The workshop agreed that information on existing international space law should be widely disseminated to professionals in the legal, space science and technology fields, particularly in developing countries.
The workshop agreed that implementation of space law and policies by States requires availability of qualified professionals. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs should continue its efforts to actively support and promote education and capacity-building in space law. This is essential for promoting national expertise and capacity in this field.
- The workshop agreed that the regional centres for space science and technology education affiliated to the United Nations could play an important role in building capacity in space law. The workshop recommended that the regional centres in Latin America and the Caribbean include space law in their curricula.
- The workshop recognized the valuable public service provided by the website (www.unoosa.org) of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and recommended that the Office further develop its site, particularly the section on space law.
- The workshop agreed that the principle of "common heritage of mankind" in the Moon Agreement, and the principle of "province of all mankind" in the Outer Space Treaty, are two different principles.
- The Workshop welcomed the efforts undertaken by national institutions in the Latin America and the Caribbean regions to ensure the peaceful uses of outer space for the benefit of humankind, and recommended that they continue supporting the development of space law.
- The Workshop agreed that multilateral and bilateral cooperation among States in space law and activities is a practical means to allow full access to information. This is useful for the development of Latin American and Caribbean States to overcome poverty, mitigate the damage caused by natural disasters, and address other priority areas.
- The workshop noted the commitment of SBDA to continue collaborating with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and other international organizations to further develop space law, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean regions. The workshop also noted that SBDA committed itself to increasing regional cooperation in space law, establishing specific programmes for education, training and research in international and national space matters.
The workshop appreciated the visit to INPE and CTA which provided an excellent opportunity to learn about the technical aspects of space activities and to become aware of Brazil’s significant efforts in space activities.
