Background and Purpose

While artificial satellites have served as critical infrastructure for society for several decades, supporting essential functions such as weather monitoring, navigation, and communications, the number of actors engaged in space activities has grown rapidly in recent years, including private companies and emerging spacefaring nations. Furthermore, the deployment of services utilizing large satellite constellations, along with the increasing use of small satellites and CubeSats, has led to a dramatic rise in the number of objects orbiting the Earth, a trend that is expected to accelerate further.

This rapid growth in space objects, coupled with an increasing number of rocket launches, has heightened the risk of collisions due to congestion in certain orbital regions and has also increased the likelihood of space debris generation. As a result, this issue has become a significant concern for the international community, as it may hinder humanity’s continued access to space and the sustainable use of outer space.

The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) has established various international frameworks, including the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (2007) and the Long-Term Sustainability (LTS) Guidelines for Space Activities (2019) under the framework of existing space-related treaties. While efforts are ongoing to develop international norms and enhance capabilities to ensure the sustainable use of outer space—recognized as a finite resource shared by all humankind—it is essential for stakeholders across sectors, including governments, industry, academia, and regional bodies, to develop a shared understanding of the challenges. Promoting the exchange of knowledge, perspectives, and cooperation is key to addressing these issues.

Although space activities and associated rulemaking have historically been led by some leading countries such as the United States and Europe, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to play an increasingly prominent role in global space activities, in line with its economic growth. In this context, this working group aims to enhance regional capacity, strengthen its collective voice in international forums, and elevate the region’s global standing. This will be achieved by facilitating the sharing of accurate and timely information on critical international issues—such as the sustainability of space activities—and by fostering deeper discussions to establish a common regional perspective.

Formation and Concept of the Space Sustainability Working Group (SSWG)

To achieve the objectives set forth above, the SSWG will promote information sharing, updates, and the exchange of views and cooperation on complex issues spanning policy, law, and technology. This will be undertaken by engaging a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from governments, industry, academia, and space agencies.

In particular, the SSWG will closely monitor developments within the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS), which serves as a central forum for discussions on the sustainability of space activities, as well as international norms, technical standards, and guidelines related to space debris mitigation and space traffic management.

By facilitating the timely sharing of information within the region, the SSWG will work to deepen understanding of these issues and consider how stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region should address and respond to evolving international trends. Furthermore, upon request, the SSWG will compile and articulate common regional views and positions for presentation at international consultation forums.