The Holy See at the UN: Space exploration must benefit all peoples
What happened
Christophe Z. El Kassis spoke at United Nations.
- Who
- Christophe Z. El KassisHoly See · United Nations
- To whom
- United Nations
- Kind of action
- Met, visited or attended
- Tone
- Positive
- When
- Oct 29, 2026
- Reported by
- Daniele Piccini, Vatican News Italiano
Every action it reports: 3
- Christophe Z. El Kassis cited Outer Space TreatySaid or cited
- Christophe Z. El Kassis spoke at United NationsMet, visited or attended
- Christophe Z. El Kassis is permanent observer of Holy SeeLeads or works for
The Holy See to the UN: Space exploration must benefit all peoples
Daniele Piccini - Vatican City
The "exploration" and "use" of outer space offer "extraordinary opportunities for scientific progress and integral human development," on the "essential" condition that these innovations go to "the benefit of all peoples" and do not create "new inequalities and forms of exclusion." This was reaffirmed by Archbishop Christophe Z. El Kassis, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, in a statement delivered yesterday, 28 October, at the UN Headquarters in New York, during the Fourth Committee of the 81st General Assembly, devoted to the theme "International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space."
Space research and climate change
The Vatican diplomat recalled that this premise is enshrined in the "Outer Space Treaty" of 1967 and highlighted that research in this field can help address epochal problems. "Space technologies," explained Monsignor El Kassis, "represent a valuable tool for facing the urgent challenges our planet confronts, including climate change, food insecurity, water scarcity and natural disasters." To this end, he added, it is necessary to "strengthen international cooperation, especially in sharing 'scientific knowledge,' 'so that developing countries can fully benefit from these advances.'"
Cooperating to protect the space environment
A "coordinated international response" is also called for by the issue of the "protection of the space environment," threatened by the "crowding of orbits," the "accumulation of space debris," and the "increase in commercial activities." "It is essential," the Permanent Observer of the Holy See further stressed, "to ensure responsible management of outer space, with the aim of guaranteeing that scientific and technological progress does not compromise its peaceful and sustainable use by future generations." For this reason, the archbishop concluded, the Holy See encourages "common efforts to preserve outer space as a sphere of peace, stability and cooperation, for the benefit of present and future generations."
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