2021 Outer Space Security Conference

Space is increasingly critical to modern life on Earth. However, there is growing concern that as space becomes more economically and strategically important, tensions between different space actors could lead to conflict. Such a conflict could have devastating consequences for humankind.

Over the past year, several countries have carried out tests of counterspace technology, as well as ambiguous operations that have raised alarms and incited protests and criticisms. Many States’ space policies continue to shift towards treating outer space as a contested, operational, or even warfighting, domain. This panel will discuss drivers of an arms race in outer space including geopolitical rivalries, enabling capabilities, and the accelerated development of arms.

To better understand and address issues related to space security, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is pleased to invite you to the 2021 Outer Space Security Conference. This two-day flagship event provides a unique forum for the Geneva-based diplomatic community—as well as visiting experts from military, industry and academic backgrounds—to jointly consider challenges related to security in outer space and to exchange ideas regarding solutions.

UNIDIR encourages the participation of diplomats, national representatives, policymakers, as well as academics, practitioners and other experts working on or interested in issues pertaining to space security.

Highlighted topics and addresses include:

• Why the international community needs to build a sustainable space security architecture
• From the enactment of the Outer Space Treaty to now: how has the space domain changed?
• The dual-use nature of space assets and their potential impacts on outer space security
• Non-binding norms and Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures (TCBMs)
• The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) and its relevancy to this discussion
• Verification mechanisms and space security regulations
• The role of non-governmental entities and non-traditional stakeholders in contributing to space security

REGISTRATION

This hybrid event will be held in person in the Palais des Nations, Geneva and it will be livestreamed, with the possibility of interactive participation.

Participants can join the event either in-person or virtually:

• To participate in-person, please register here.
  • Please note due to Covid-19, participants who: within the past 14 days have been in close contact with a person testing positive for Covid-19, or experience cold- or flu-like symptoms (however mild) are not authorized to enter UNOG and are kindly requested to attend meetings remotely instead.
• To participate virtually, please register here. The link to access the broadcast of OS21 will be sent to registered participants one day prior to the event.

Please visit the UNIDIR 2021 Outer Space Security Conference site for more information.