Statement by the foreign ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation member states on the prevention of an arms race in outer space

We, the foreign ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation member states,

Recognising the common interest of humankind in space exploration and the peaceful use of outer pace,

Noting the importance of space exploration as a vital factor of socioeconomic, scientific and technological development of states and its growing role in ensuring national and international security,

Recognising serious challenges to international security in the sphere of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation,

Noting the unacceptability of the placement of weapons, including strike combat systems, in outer space, the use or threat of force in outer space, from space against the Earth or from the Earth against space objects, or the use of outer space for combat operations,

Seriously concerned about the possibility of an arms race in outer space and it becoming a stage of military confrontation,

Considering the provisions of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,

Being aware of the catastrophic consequences of an arms race or any military conflicts in outer space, which must be used exclusively for peaceful and constructive purposes,

Reaffirming commitment to and the importance of strict compliance with the existing international norms and principles governing activities in outer space and stipulating its use exclusively for peaceful purposes,

Emphasising the need to improve the existing legal framework on governing activities in outer space in order to prevent an arms race in outer space, the deployment of weapons in outer space, efforts to turn it into a battlefield, and the use or threat of force against or with the use of space objects,

Reaffirming the need to consider and take practical measures to draft agreements to prevent an arms race in outer space,

Recognising the primary role and responsibility of the Disarmament Conference in negotiations on signing a multilateral agreement or agreements on preventing an arms race in outer space,

Welcoming in this context the Draft Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects submitted by China and the Russian Federation at the Disarmament Conference in 2008 and the updated draft submitted in 2014,

Considering the work performed by the Group of Governmental Experts on the Further Practical Measures for the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space in 2018 and 2019 to coordinate further practical measures to prevent an arms race in outer space, including at the future talks held at the Disarmament Conference on a binding international document on this issue,

Expressing appreciation for Resolution 77/42 on no first placement of weapons in outer space, Resolution 77/250 on further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space, and Resolution 77/251 on transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities, adopted at the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly and co-authored by CSTO member states,

Welcoming the adoption by CSTO member states of a political commitment not to be the first to place weapons in outer space, as well as the accession of other countries to that international initiative,

Considering the statements made by the permanent representatives of CSTO member states at the UN titled Supporting the Multilateral Initiative on the No First Placement of Weapons in Outer Space (March 14, 2019), Mutual Confidence-Building Measures for Peace and Maintenance of the Global Security Architecture (March 15, 2015), and the Declaration of the CSTO Collective Security Council (September 16, 2021),

hereby declare the following:

1. We believe that outer space must be used in accordance with international law to the benefit of all nations regardless of the level of their economic, scientific or technological development;

2. We confirm that all states bear historical responsibility for conducting space exploration exclusively for peaceful purposes for the benefit of humankind;

3. We call for enhancing the predictability and stability in the activities of states in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes in full compliance with the norms and principles of international law, in the interests of the development of international cooperation and mutual understanding, as well as the maintenance of international peace and security;

4. We declare that the prevention of an arms race in outer space and its preservation for peaceful purposes must be the immutable political norm for states and a universally recognised international commitment;

5. We acknowledge that the prevention of an arms race in outer space will create conditions for its peaceful exploration and use for addressing the current major issues of economic, social and cultural development facing humankind, as well as for combining the activities of states in this sphere;

6. We call on all countries, but primarily those with major space capabilities:

a) to take urgent measures to prevent the placement of weapons in outer space, the use or threat of force in outer space, from space against the Earth and from the Earth against space objects;

b) to make use of negotiations to achieve the relevant, reliably verifiable and legally binding multilateral agreements;

7. We reaffirm our commitment to the principle set out in Article 2 of the UN Charter, under which all members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force, including in space activities, and proceed from the premise that all states will faithfully uphold this policy;

8. We reaffirm our political commitment not to be the first to place weapons in outer space and urge all countries to follow the lead of CSTO member states by considering the possibility of joining in full measure this international initiative as an effective transparency and confidence measure in the interests of preventing an arms race in outer space;

9. We pledge to take every possible measure to prevent outer space from being turned into a battlefield and to ensure the safety of space activities; 

10. We reaffirm the importance and urgency of preventing an arms race in outer space and the readiness of our countries to contribute to the achievement of this common goal;

11. We emphasise the importance of the early adoption of practical measures to prevent an arms race in outer space;

12.     In this context, we welcome the adoption at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly of Resolution 77/250 on further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space, which provides for establishing a UN Group of Governmental Experts to consider and make recommendations on substantial elements of an international legally binding instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, including, inter alia, on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space, and expect the Group to prepare a substantial report, with conclusions and recommendations, in accordance with its mandate;

13.     We express the intention to actively promote the efforts of the international community to keep outer space free from weapons of any kind and the conviction that a ban on the placement of weapons in outer space and on the use or threat of force against space objects or with their use will prevent a major threat to international peace and the security of humankind.