SWF Co-sponsors the Manfred Lachs International Conference on Global Space Governance

The Manfred Lachs International Conference on Global Space Governance, organized by McGill University and co-sponsored by Secure World Foundation (SWF), is being held from May 29-31, 2014 in Montreal, Canada.  SWF Founder Cynda Collins Arsenault will present opening remarks and SWF Executive Director Michael Simpson will be a panel member for the session “Addressing the adequacy of existing mechanisms of global space governance.” 

Since 1999, when the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III) was held, the international community has not addressed comprehensively the issue of global space governance.  Meanwhile, numerous developments have occurred in the world in general, and the space sector in particular, that have serious implications for the current and future conduct of space activities by all states. Space lies at the nexus of security, strategic stability and scientific, as well as technological, advancement.

Presently, calls are being made within the United Nations Committee for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and other international fora for a UNISPACE IV conference to be held. Although it might take a while for UNISPACE IV to materialize, what is certain is that the international community, both of spacefaring and non-spacefaring nations, will need to formulate a clear idea of what that conference should achieve. In view of the developments that have occurred since UNISPACE III, the issue of global space governance must be a prime candidate for consideration in any such international effort.

The forthcoming Manfred Lachs International Conference on Global Space Governance will provide a neutral setting for the conduct of interdisciplinary deliberations lending themselves to a responsive UNISPACE IV conference addressing issues relating to global space governance.

For more information and to register for the conference, please click here.