Geneva: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Geneva, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila has stressed the importance of the issue of space debris and its potential impacts for human rights, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Friday.
He added that awareness of the sustainability of outer space is a major step toward ensuring the continued benefits of space technology in promoting human well-being.
In a speech delivered on behalf of 123 nations at the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), he said that the use of space has brought huge benefits to humanity, boosting global communications, weather forecasting, and disaster management.
He went on to say that these developments play a crucial role in protecting fundamental human rights. He also added that space debris poses significant risks to the infrastructure that facilitates these operations, which could hinder our ability to protect and promote these rights.
The Saudi permanent representative underscored the challenges posed by space debris and its direct impact on several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Innovation, Goal 9 on Industry, and Infrastructure and Goal 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities.
He stressed the significance of effective space debris management for sustainable development, ensuring continued access to technologies that support weather monitoring, disaster response, and urban planning.
The UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) also affirmed that managing space debris is vital for the safety and governance of outer space operations. They stressed its significance for global security, satellite services and environmental protection which contribute to human rights and development.
