Indonesia has reiterated the importance of space regulation at the 56th session of the Legal Subcommittee meeting of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (LSC-UNCOPUOS), which is part of the UN Office for Outer Space.
Currently being held in Vienna, Austria, where the committee is headquartered, the 56th annual meeting is attended by 200 delegates from various nations, including Indonesia, and will conclude on 7 April 2017.
Indonesia’s delegate, Febrian A. Ruddyard, a diplomat stationed at the Indonesian Embassy in Austria, stressed the importance of the use of space for peaceful purposes, which he says can only be accomplished through the flourishing of space technologies and their applications.
This, he says, can only be achieved when nations adhere to the principles of justice and fairness, and agree to respect the sovereignty and integrity of other nations.
In order for this to happen, he expressed the importance of the ongoing meeting, whose agenda’s priorities include defining and regulating Geostationary Orbit (GSO) for satellite use.
For Indonesia, the Geostationary Orbit is of special importance since 13% of orbital space is located directly above Indonesian territory, given Indonesia’s location along the equator.
He also stressed that weaponization of space must be avoided, and part of doing so is to prevent an arms race between nations, especially those that are technologically-advanced.
So far, Indonesia is signatory to various international agreements, including the Outer Space Treaty, the Rescue Agreement, the Liability Convention, and the Registration Convention of 1976.
