Global pact needed against deploying weapons in space, Russia says at UN debate

Russia’s Foreign Minister told national leaders attending the General Assembly today that it is time to establish a global agreement outlawing the deployment of weapons in space, warning they endanger the existence of all States.

Sergey Lavrov said urgent steps are needed to strengthen the overall non-proliferation regime, ranging from nuclear weapons to strategic missile defence.

“The possibility of deploying weapons in space brings about a serious threat,” he told the Assembly’s annual high-level debate. “Its threat is determined by the global coverage, which can endanger all States without exception. We are consistently opposing deploying in space weapons of any type and call upon the international community to conclude an agreement to that effect.”

Peace must be based on a collective approach, Mr. Lavrov said, criticizing “unilateral plans in the area of missile defence” and praising the “constructive alternative” of Russian President Vladimir Putin on this issue.

“Such work could lead to a genuinely strategic alliance within the entire Euro-Atlantic region, which would allow [us] to move forward in setting up an open system of collective security.”

Turning to the wider context, Mr. Lavrov said “the developments over the past year provide convincing proof that an essentially new geopolitical situation has been developing in the world, one that is primarily defined by emerging multi-polarity.”

No one nation can cope with global challenges on its own, he added.

“What is needed is collective leadership of major States that should represent the geographical and civilizational dimensions. The basis for such an informal mechanism can only be provided by the United Nations with its unique legitimacy.”

The Foreign Minister called for the UN system to be strengthened to meet these changing realities, and stressed that decisions must be based on the broadest possible consensus of Member States.