29 September 2022 – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) contributed to the webinar “Ensuring that outer space remains a common good. Non-weaponization and peaceful use of outer space for the benefit and common security of humanity: The role of parliaments”, co-organized by the IPU and Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND).
PAM was represented by Hon. Dherar Belhoul Al Falasi (UAE). He also facilitated the participation in the webinar of Mr. Saeed Al Mansoori, Acting Director of the Remote Sensing Department at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, in Dubai.
In his intervention, Hon. Al Falasi said that “the primary objective in outer space is to reach and maintain peaceful coexistence, to agree on common rules, and to open doors to cooperation. Parliamentarians have the duty to ensure that national legislations comply with international law.”
Outer space represents an increasingly important domain for global prosperity and security. Parliamentary oversight, national regulations and strengthening of international agreements are vital to protect space for our common good.
In conclusion, the panellists agreed that outer space must be a resource for progress, rather than a threat to peace. In this regard, parliamentary hearings and studies regulating how nations behave in space are useful tools of transparency and accountability.
In an evolving context of international tensions, PAM reiterated its commitment to ensure that outer space remains free from weaponization and continues to be a realm of scientific breakthroughs, international cooperation, peace and understanding, especially in light of the new threats resulting from the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the withdrawal of their astronauts from the international space program.//