Annex: Preamble to the revised draft International
Code of Conduct on Outer Space Activities
"The Subscribing States
"Noting that all States should
actively contribute to the promotion and strengthening of international
cooperation relating to the activities in the exploration and
use of outer space for peaceful purposes;
"Considering that these activities
play a growing role in economic, social and cultural development
of nations, preservation of the environment, promotion of international
cooperation, strengthening of national security and sustaining
international peace;
"Recognizing the need for the widest
possible adherence to relevant existing international instruments
that promote the peaceful uses of outer space in order to meet
emerging new challenges;
"Further recognising that space
capabilities — including associated ground and space segments
and supporting links — are vital to national security and
to the maintenance of international peace and security;
"Recalling the initiatives aiming
at promoting a peaceful, safe and secure outer space environment,
through international cooperation;
"Recalling the importance of developing
transparency and confidence-building measures for activities in
outer space;
"Taking into account that space
debris constitutes a threat to outer space activities and potentially
limits the effective deployment and exploitation of associated
space capabilities;
"Stressing that the growing use
of outer space increases the need for greater transparency and
better information exchange among all actors conducting outer
space activities ;
"Convinced that the formation of
a set of best practices aimed at ensuring security in outer space
could become a useful complement to international space law;
"Noting that such best practices
could apply to all types of outer space activities;
"Reaffirming their commitment to
resolve any conflict concerning actions in space by peaceful means;
"Recognising that a comprehensive
approach to safety and security in outer space should be guided
by the following principles: (i) freedom of access to space for
peaceful purposes, (ii) preservation of the security and integrity
of space objects in orbit, (iii) due consideration for the legitimate
defence interests of States;
"Conscious that a comprehensive
code, including transparency and confidence-building measures
could contribute to promoting common and precise understandings;
"Adopt the following Code of conduct
for outer space activities (hereinafter referred to as 'the Code')."
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