The 65th session of the Legal Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) took place in Vienna, featuring in-depth discussions on key issues for space governance: legal models for exploration, the use and exploitation of space resources, benefit-sharing, the legitimacy of commercial uses, mitigation of space debris, and prospects for a dedicated platform on the legal and policy aspects of space traffic management.
In her plenary statement, Ambassador Debora Lepre underscored the importance to strengthen the legal framework in a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex sector, highlighting Italy’s approach based on principles, cooperation and long-term vision. In its capacity as Chair of COPUOS for the current biennium, Italy is committed to promoting broader participation and supporting the Committee’s work on key priorities such as space resources, space traffic management and lunar exploration.
On the margins of the session, the Italian delegation organized a side event on the opportunities for accession to COPUOS and to the Outer Space Treaty, with the participation of UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini, the Co-Chairs of the Legal Subcommittee, Pablo Arrocha Olabuenaga and Natanael Pineda Rodriguez, and international institutional Representatives. The event forms part of the Italian Chair’s outreach efforts aimed at expanding the Committee’s membership and strengthening adherence to the Outer Space Treaty.
(photo credits: UNOOSA)
