In a speech to the United Nations Committee on Outer Space: The State of Qatar calls for the advancement of United Nations instruments and their adaptation to the great development of space technology and its uses
The State of Qatar called for concerted international efforts to promote the United Nations instruments relating to outer space and to adapt them to the great development of space technology and its uses.
H.E. Shaikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to United Nations Organizations in Vienna, speaking at the 57th session of the Legal Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, held in Vienna, said that the activities of outer space, as well as the role of such activities in deepening our understanding of the universe and the protection of our planet, stressing the importance of the implementation and use of space activities in the light of legal conventions and the promotion of international space law An external organization which contributes to the process of the use and exploitation of outer space resources optimally.
With regard to the efforts made by the State of Qatar to support the efforts of the United Nations and to benefit from the peaceful uses of outer space, H.E. Sheikh Ali Bin Jassim Al-Thani referred to its accession to the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, the ratification of the Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts Space objects and the return of objects launched into outer space, as well as the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space.
The State of Qatar is working to settle and consolidate the infrastructure of its activities in the field of outer space, including legislative instruments, the preparation of national cadres specialized in space science and technology, and the integration of space science and technology into national development plans.
The Qatari engineers are currently working on the design and manufacture of the second Suhail-2 satellite for launch this year following the successful launch of the first Qatari communications satellite Suhail-1, as well as continuing to build partnerships and enhance cooperation with countries and space agencies in the field of uses, which is very dependent on the support of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOSOM) for its future space programs.
The Ambassador of the State of Qatar in Vienna, in conclusion, stressed the right of all States to contribute to outer space activities without discrimination and on equal terms, and the inadmissibility of the possession of outer space under the pretext of sovereignty, use, occupation or any other means, non-militarization of outer space and to use it only for peaceful purposes and to advance the sustainable development of humanity in front of the world, to ward off the dangers of the planet and to reaffirm the principle of regional and international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space and the consolidation of peace on the planet.