Description
Though the overarching international legal framework governing space activities remains fundamental to maintaining the peaceful uses of outer space, the proliferation of means and actors with the ability to disrupt, damage or destroy space systems underlines there are regulatory gaps that need addressing. Legal principles, such as cooperation, due regard, and the obligation and right to seek consultation in case a planned space activity would cause harmful interference with the space activities of other States, remain important. However, they have rarely been invoked or resorted to in practice.The principle of due diligence has long served as a reminder that States can be held responsible for activities that injure the rights of other States. Whether in human rights law, environmental law, or cyberspace, due diligence has proven useful to ensuring States exercise vigilance over activities and actors under their jurisdiction or control, and proactively enact measures to prevent injury to other States, or the environment.
At a time of increasing challenges to space security in an era of growing insecurity, “space due diligence”, as well as various substantive and procedural elements that it entails, will prove to be an apt and novel principle to strengthen the peaceful, secure and sustainable use of outer space.
| Period | 5 Dec 2025 |
|---|---|
| Event title | 24th Republic of Korea – United Nations Joint Conference on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues: The Evolution of Outer Space Security in an Era of Growing Insecurity |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | New York, United States, New YorkShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |