The second session of the Open-ended Working Group on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space, established under UN General Assembly Resolution 79/512 for a four-year period (2024–2028), has opened in Geneva. The Working Group has been mandated to examine key issues related to outer space security and to discuss necessary measures to prevent an arms race that could endanger all of humanity.
In its opening statement, the Italian delegation emphasized the need to protect outer space in order to ensure the continuity of a growing number of vital services for modern societies: from telecommunications to meteorology, renewable energy to food security, water management to climate change. Therefore, establishing regulations for activities in outer space is not only essential for scientific and technological progress, but more than ever, it represents a cornerstone of international security.
It is crucial to safeguard national space assets—both public and private—and to protect them from voluntary or involuntary threats that could jeopardize space infrastructure. Ongoing developments in the exploration and use of outer space are leading to the accumulation of increasing amounts of orbital debris, and to a rising risk of collisions and miscalculations among States. Furthermore, the distinction between civilian and military space technologies is becoming increasingly blurred, while the number of potentially dangerous activities in space continues to grow.
The approach promoted by Italy and like-minded countries focuses on defining legal principles and responsible behaviors that could serve as the foundation for a future legally binding agreement.
These topics will be addressed during the session of the Working Group, which is scheduled to conclude on July 25th. The next session will take place in Geneva in 2026.
