Space governance to achieve sustainable development in the new space age

Paper number

IAC-23,E7,4,7,x80130

Author

Ms. Beauler Wozhele, Zimbabwe

Coauthor

Ms. Lulu Makapela, CSIR – South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa

Year

2023

Abstract

The global space governance model, in its current form, excludes certain space activities and allows actors to operate under a wide-ranging and often conflicting interpretations of existing frameworks. Notably, the five foundational United Nations Space Treaties, are a product of cold war, and in response to pertinent challenges of its time, and do not sufficiently address the current, socio- economical and sustainability challenges.

The present-day space exploration has extended its notion far beyond government-led and funded missions, and now fully encompasses private sector actors, new technological advances, and services in non-traditional space sectors. It is, therefore, critical to address space governance gaps at national and global levels, considering a range of priority issues, to keep outer space accessible, protected and preserved for future generations. 
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While there have been many attempts to improve the current governance regime, progress has come to a halt, this is in large part, due to a lack of consensus among major spacefaring nations, competing interests, and the preference for adoption of non-binding rules instead of Treaties. 

So far, efforts and approaches have shown to be completely ineffective, and more is needed to provide the new order, as new space interests are pursued, and technologies are developed. This phenomenon, however, continues to create legal uncertainty and a vacuum, forcing nations to devise own rules of the game and compliance mechanisms. 

The paper will highlight the global space governance landscape and gaps, how developed and least developed countries are responding to the changing landscape, in order to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and propose recommendation for the new space age.

Abstract document

IAC-23,E7,4,7,x80130.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-23,E7,4,7,x80130.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.