Thread by @JessicaWestPhD

MORNING MEETING DAY 1 SESSION 3 #SpaceThreatsOEWG 🧵

See my latest report to get caught up on key points of discussion from the second session last September.

ploughshares.ca/reports/the-op…

Session Chair @Tumlleh opens with a call to shoulder our collective responsibility with awareness of urgency to address threats to space systems. #SpaceThreatsOEWG

The Chair notes that there can be no progress if we see this as a struggle b/w different groups and interests. Our discussion is not about opposition, but a GLOBAL issue that affects all countries and persons. #SpaceThreatsOEWG

Find the Chair's summary of the second session of the #SpaceThreatsOEWG below.

Preliminary feedback for recommendations in final report requested by Feb 20

documents.unoda.org/wp-content/upl…

ITEM 6c) recommendations on possible norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours relating to threats by States to space systems.

TOPIC 1: Norms, rules and principles derived from existing international legal and other normative frameworks

docs-library.unoda.org/Open-Ended_Wor…

#Russia offers support to achieve mutually acceptable result.

Disagrees with program of work/topics. Suggests Russian priorities with use of force/objects in space are ignored while duplicating work of COPUOS.

Note that a separate GGE on this topic will begin later this year.

#Russia raises issue of participation of non-governmental organizations as observers, and what this means.

Argues NGOs can contribute only in written form or via informal separate sessions. Retains the right to reconsider if abuse by NGOs or if they undermine cooperation.

#UK notes #UNGA rules that allow certain NGOs a permanent right to participate in meetings as observers including to speak during formal sessions.

#US echoes right of NGOs and commercial actors to participate as observers and raises special status of the @ICRC at the #UNGA.

#China on NGO participation indicates that states lack consensus. Hopes that Chair will consult with relevant states.

#France on formal participation by observer delegations: UNGA resolution clearly invited participation as observers, including @ICRC, based on est. practice.

Calls for #SpaceThreatsOEWG to follow this practice and allow for formal statements by observers.

#Netherlands too.

#Austria and #Ireland assert that the meeting takes place under the rules of the #UNGA and there is no mandate to change those rules.

#Brazil also sees participation by NGOs as clear in OEWG mandate, UNGA rules, and practice at previous sessions.

More #NGO support from #Switzerland.

# Italy doesn’t understand why we are discussing participation of NGOs and other entities since this is quite clear in the mandate of the OEWG and established practice. Ditto #Sweden.

NO COMMENT.

Further support for participation by NGOs and special status of the #ICRC provided by #Mexico, #Norway, #NewZeland, #Chile, #Germany

#Iran argues that concept of responsible behaviour that underlines norms lacks consensus. Mandate says “possible norms” therefore there may be NO possible norms.

Calls on Chair to reflect approach of states who do not support norms, raises the rule of consensus.

#Philippines agrees on need to consider all points of view to arrive at consensus set of recommendations for UNGA.

BUT: takes issue with characterization of a dichotomy b/w those who support norms and those who support legally binding agreement.

#Russia registers surprise that issues related to PPWT (placement of weapons) are not on the agenda despite longstanding discussion.

(note: this will be focus of the GGE to begin later this year so.....).

Seems concerned that it's priority topic is scheduled for the last day.

#Russia argues that participation by NGOs is not regulated by rules of UNGA and that there is absence of clear understanding of what status of permanent observer (#ICRC) means/implies. Practice at UNGA is very subjective and vague.

Note: this issue has wider implications.

#Denmark adds voice re participation of observers. UNGA allows for formal participation by permanent observers

#Canada notes that at the last session re formal participation of #ICRC the Chair asked for indulgence of supporters to move forward.

This time it is fair to ask for indulgence of #Russia to allow substantive discussion to take place.

Chair notes that the indicative timetable is just a proposal to give structure to discussions, not an official program of work, and not officially adopted.

Flexibility is a key concept at this meeting.

Re observers: Chair will fully apply rules of UNGA and est. practice re mandate of OEWG. Proposal to allow one org to speak informally at last session was clearly adopted so as to NOT set precedent. Does not want to spend more time on this. Will make formal ruling if needed.

Actually: it's scheduled for day 3. So my bad, I mis-tweeted.

As noted by the Chair, the timetable is not a formal program of work. Just a means of structuring a coherent discussion.

#Russia wants its preferred topics to be given priority in the schedule.

Claims that the Chair cannot take a decision on participation of NGOs. Trying to apply consensus rules to procedures of the meeting, which holds up substantive discussion.

Proposal from Russia to include #PPWT issues prevention of placement of weapons in outer space and prevention of the use of force or threat of force re space objects under topics 4 and 5.

#Canada suggests that existing topics of indicative timetable already accommodates the issues raised by #Russia.

Re participation of NGOs: #Canada argues that it is a mischaracterization to say no consensus. There are existing resolutions that address this. More accurate to say no consensus to CHANGE established practice.

#US suggests that procedural discussion re NGOs is an example of using the consensus principle to prevent substantive discussion.

Chair re observers: has clarity on the mandate of the OEWG, re para 6 UNGA 76/231 (here: documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/…)

Not allowed to change mandate given by UNGA. And must not misuse consensus, which applies to substance of the report.

List of precedent from other working groups.

Reminder from #Austria: prevention of an arms race in outer space #PAROS is the overarching theme of the discussion.

#US objects to adding separate discussions for "parochial interests" raised by a single delegation.

#China calls for inclusive approach to discussion. Notes that issues raised by #Russia re #PPWT (placement of weapons and use of force in space) are also important to China.

#UK suggests that we simply proceed with substantive work at this time. And discuss topics at will, as states do.

#Germany notes that topics proposed by #Russia have been and are extensively discussed in other fora.

Note that they are also the focus of a new complimentary GGE adopted by the UNGA, to begin later in 2023.

reachingcriticalwill.org/images/documen…

🕐

LUNCH.