Holy See Calls for Peaceful and Sustainable Use of Outer Space

Holy See calls for peaceful and sustainable use of outer space

Outer space is a common good for which all of humanity bears responsibility. This was emphasized by the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, Archbishop Christophe Z. El Kassis, on Wednesday, 28 October, before the Fourth Committee of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The exploration of outer space offers great opportunities for scientific progress and the integral development of the human person. What is decisive, however, is that all countries be able to benefit from it, regardless of their economic and technological level of development. In this context, El Kassis referred to the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which provides for the exploration and use of outer space in the interest of all States.

Space technology in the service of people

In the view of the Holy See, satellite-based technologies can make an important contribution to addressing global challenges. These include climate change, food insecurity, water scarcity and natural disasters.

To make better use of these possibilities, a stronger exchange of scientific knowledge and the expansion of technological capacities are needed, particularly for developing countries.

Protecting outer space for future generations

At the same time, the Vatican called for a responsible approach to outer space. The growing number of objects in Earth orbit, increasing amounts of space debris and the expansion of commercial activities present the international community with new challenges.

Scientific and technological progress must not endanger the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space by future generations, El Kassis stressed.

The Archbishop also highlighted the importance of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). The Holy See encouraged States to deepen their cooperation and strengthen mutual trust so that outer space remains, also in the future, a place of peace, stability and international cooperation.

(vatican news – vo)

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