Efforts to prevent an arms race in outer space (PAROS) emerged from the UN’s first Special Session devoted to Disarmament (SSOD1) in 1978. In 1978, only a handful of States would have been affected by the denial or degradation of space services. Today almost every State and every person could be affected by hostile acts that affect space systems. As we approach the 50-year anniversary of PAROS, what can States do to unlock progress and address the new challenges for space security by strengthening the legal and normative framework applicable to space and space activities?
The event aims to answer:
- What is the nature of an arms race in outer space in 2024 compared to 1978?
- How does an arms race in outer space pose a threat to international peace and security?
- How can international efforts to develop legally binding and non-legally binding instruments on PAROS respond to the changing security environment?
- What should the new Open Ended Working Group (OEWG) on PAROS focus on?