The growing reliance on space-based technologies underscores the urgency of ensuring that outer space remains a secure and sustainable domain. The increasing number of actors and activities has heightened vulnerabilities for space assets critical to modern life. For the Global South, these technologies play a vital role in sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, and climate monitoring. However, these nations often face challenges in fully engaging in key discussions on space security and sustainability. Addressing these disparities through inclusive dialogue is essential for equitable and collaborative space governance.
These countries face unequal access to space, limited resources, and vulnerabilities in a domain that is being entirely re-shaped. This commentary will explore how space security and sustainability intersect with the development needs of the Global South, drawing on insights from UNIDIR’s Outer Space Security Conference 2024 (OS24) in Geneva, Switzerland, where I participated as one of the youth video competition winners.
Space governance and the Global South: Contributions and barriers
The term ‘Global South’ refers to regions in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania, typically associated with low- to middle-income countries that have historically been marginalized in global power dynamics. It reflects economic, political and technological inequalities, particularly in access to development opportunities. For the purposes of this commentary, the term will be used interchangeably with emerging space nations, including both emerging-spacefaring and non-spacefaring countries that depend on external space services.
The Global South includes nations building their space capabilities or relying on external actors for critical services like telecommunications, climate monitoring, and disaster management. Despite limited involvement in early space exploration, these countries have made significant contributions to space law, advocating for equitable access and the peaceful use of outer space. For instance, while only seven Latin American countries participated in UNCOPUOS in 1980, they played a key role in drafting space treaties. However, countries from the Global South continue to face challenges in influencing multilateral space governance, often hindered by disparities in resources and representation.
Key challenges in space security and sustainability
While consensus-based decision-making seeks to ensure equal participation, involvement in relevant multilateral processes can sometimes reflect disparities in resources and capacities among Member States. Many emerging space nations have highly skilled experts in the field of space governance and technology; however, limited resources to effectively connect this expertise to their capitals and delegations can hinder their ability to contribute fully.
As Victoria F. Valdivia Cerda noted during her panel, these disparities are compounded by the fact that political decision-makers in some regions are often disconnected from the operational and technical realities of space activities. This disconnect highlights the importance of not only raising public awareness but also of fostering dialogue between policymakers and technical experts, ensuring that decisions are informed by both diplomatic and technical perspectives. Strengthening mechanisms for resource-sharing, enhancing communication channels, and integrating space diplomacy as a strategic capability could help bridge these gaps, fostering more inclusive and effective governance.
In the area of space security, there is an increasing need for multilateral cooperation to enhance the sharing of information on the monitoring of space objects and enabling broad, credible, and accessible space situational awareness (SSA). For Brazil, strengthening SSA capabilities is critical to addressing the perception that outer space is ‘congested’. Enhanced SSA capabilities would not only provide a clearer picture of orbital usage and improve the safety of space operations, but also serve security-related purposes. These include detecting abnormal and malicious behaviour, identifying compromised satellites, issuing warnings about vulnerabilities, and mitigating threats to critical services. Strengthening SSA can also play a pivotal role in supporting attribution and verification within the existing outer space legal framework, as well as any future legally binding instruments on the prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS).
Discussions around strengthening SSA capabilities highlight the varying priorities that developed and emerging space nations bring to multilateral forums. For developed space nations, key concerns often include protecting existing space assets, ensuring secure communications, and mitigating the challenges associated with space traffic management (STM) and space debris. Meanwhile, for emerging space nations, priorities tend to revolve around leveraging space technologies for Earth observation, navigation, climate monitoring, and ensuring continuity of critical services, which are vital for addressing immediate socio-economic challenges as well as tackling the challenges established in the Sustainable Development Goals.
These differing priorities underscore both the challenges and opportunities inherent in multilateral collaboration. While disparities in power, resources and capacities persist, these issues highlight areas of shared interest, emphasizing the importance of collaboration. Real advancement can only be achieved by building on these shared priorities while addressing the inequalities that limit the participation and benefits for nations in the Global South. Such was the spirit of the latest OEWG on reducing space threats.
The growing militarization of space
The Global South faces significant challenges in addressing space security and sustainability, which are increasingly interconnected in today’s geopolitical context. As discussed during OS24, the growing militarization of space exacerbates these challenges, threatening both the security and sustainability of outer space. This escalating militarization, driven by the proliferation of dual-use technologies and intensified geopolitical competition, increases the risk of conflict and raises concerns about the potential weaponization of space systems. It is important to distinguish between dual-use technologies—those serving both civilian and military purposes, where the military aspect is not inherently aggressive—and dual-purpose space systems, which can involve both non-aggressive and aggressive applications, including those with entirely commercial origins.
At the same time, space technologies offer transformative opportunities for emerging space nations. Regional perspectives, such as those shared during UNIDIR’s workshop African Perspectives for Advancing Space Security Through Norms, Rules, and Principles of Responsible Behaviours, emphasize the role of space-enabled services in advancing the SDGs and regional frameworks like the African Union’s Agenda 2063. These technologies, including precision farming, weather monitoring, and telehealth services, not only address socio-economic disparities but also contribute to regional stability and growth. However, the realization of these benefits is jeopardized by strategic vulnerabilities in space security.
Many emerging space nations lack robust protective measures, such as hardened satellite architectures, advanced encryption protocols, and comprehensive cyber defence systems. The reliance of many of these nations on foreign-controlled space services, such as GNSS, exemplifies these vulnerabilities. This dependency exposes them to geopolitical pressures and limits their autonomy in critical sectors. The lack of robust cybersecurity measures and reliance on outdated ground station infrastructure also leave these nations particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks and space-based disruptions, which could cripple essential services like communications and disaster response. These risks highlight the urgent need for regional capacity-building and investment in secure, indigenous space technologies.
Pathways to equitable space governance
Frameworks like the Manual on International Law Applicable to Military Uses of Outer Space and the Woomera Manual offer relevant pathways for addressing these challenges. By advocating for legally binding international instruments, transparency and confidence-building measures (TCBMs), these initiatives aim to curb the growing militarization of space and promote equitable governance. However, the Woomera Manual goes further, extending its scope to also address operations in the context of an actual armed conflict.
Space sustainability cannot be achieved, or will be greatly hindered, if there is no security or if security is threatened. For many emerging space nations, the high cost of accessing space, coupled with limited developmental technical capabilities, perpetuates inequalities. Space debris presents another barrier, as it disproportionately impacts emerging spacefaring nations by limiting the safe use of orbits. Efforts to address these challenges through international cooperation, such as shared access to satellite data and active debris removal initiatives, are essential to creating a more inclusive and sustainable space environment.
The Global South plays a vital role by advocating for differentiated responsibilities, equitable access, and capacity-building. South-South cooperation, driven by scientific diplomacy, strengthens its voice in multilateral forums like GRULAC and the G77, ensuring that space security frameworks address their vulnerabilities and priorities while shaping future governance mechanisms.
A call for inclusive, secure and sustainable space governance
Dynamics of power are often unjust and discriminatory, that is why the spirit of multilateralism must be put to hard work in relieving these difficulties. The international governance frameworks established over the past century, particularly those related to space issues, are strong enough to effectively confront these challenges and ensure fair solutions. In this regard, we could further consider Ambassador Cousiño’s remarks at OS24, where he highlighted the critical role space technology plays for emerging nations and proposed the negotiation of additional optional protocols to the Outer Space Treaty (OST). This approach allows interested States to gradually advance and reinforce the treaty, adapting it to the needs of the new space era and could strengthen the existing framework without requiring a complete renegotiation.
Ambassador Cousiño also emphasized the importance of involving non-governmental entities, such as the space industry, academia, and civil society, in discussions and decision-making processes related to space security. In line with this, a broad range of actors could contribute to the creation of new international conventions through active and consistent participation in international negotiations at the United Nations, advocating for a multistakeholder approach.
A conclusion could be made from the insights on the debate between legally binding and non-legally binding mechanisms discussed during OS24; that they are not opposing nor merely supplementary, but rather complementary. Despite years of progressive development in international law, fundamental issues in the space domain still lack consensus. This is why international guidelines are an important first step in making space more secure and sustainable. In the absence of legally binding agreements, TCBMs also play a vital role in maintaining stability and security in the space domain.
As Madin Maseeh noted, these measures are not supplementary, but essential for preventing disasters and mitigating risks. Small island nations, which face significant vulnerabilities due to their reliance on space technologies for critical services, emphasize the urgent need for proactive and actionable TCBMs. Strengthening these measures can help bridge the gap while the international community negotiates more comprehensive and binding agreements, ensuring immediate operational needs are met without compromising long-term governance goals. Nevertheless, providing resources and raising awareness is not enough. Counterspace activities are already underway, and without additional measures, there is a risk of more escalatory actions in the years ahead.
The international community must prioritize instruments that ensure accountability while fostering cooperation on shared challenges like space debris management, counterspace threats, and equitable access to space resources. Any future instruments should address the accessibility of space for emerging space nations. Ensuring adequate representation of the Global South in multilateral fora requires political will and the provision of resources to empower delegations to participate effectively in shaping policies and regulations. This could involve providing assistance for space operations and ensuring access to space-enabled services and data in a sustainable and secure manner. Raising awareness among national counterparts is also essential to ensure decision-makers fully grasp the stakes involved in space governance.
The role of youth in shaping the future
Space security and sustainability are not just technical or geopolitical challenges; they represent profound human concerns that require collaborative and inclusive solutions. As a youth participant at OS24, I witnessed firsthand the critical importance of amplifying the voices of emerging space nations, particularly those in the Global South. For young professionals like me, the future of space governance is not a distant abstract, it is the reality we will inherit and shape.
Consensus-based decision-making often reflects existing disparities in resources and capacities, particularly for nations in the Global South. These nations bring vital expertise and innovative approaches to space governance, but often face challenges in translating technical knowledge into effective policy due to resource constraints and lack of awareness in decision makers. Strengthening mechanisms for resource-sharing and enhancing communication between technical experts and policymakers are critical steps to foster more inclusive governance.
The growing militarization of space calls for multistakeholder cooperation to prevent conflict and secure sustainable use of the space domain. The proposals for optional protocols to the Outer Space Treaty and the prioritization of guidelines and TCBMs represent pragmatic paths forward. These measures allow for progress while balancing the urgent operational needs of vulnerable nations with long-term strategic goals.
Ultimately, achieving inclusive space security and sustainability requires collaboration across generations, sectors and borders. By integrating the creativity and optimism of youth with the expertise of seasoned policymakers, and by empowering all nations to contribute, we can ensure that space remains a secure, sustainable, and shared resource for all and for generations to come.
José Ignacio Vieux is an International Relations student specializing in the global space ecosystem and its governance. His work examines the role of emerging powers in global governance and the economic and geopolitical implications of space activities. He has participated in high-level discussions, including the UNIDIR conference on space security, and is an alumnus of the US Department of State’s Youth Ambassador programme.
This commentary is a special feature of UNIDIR’s Youth Engagement initiative. The author, José Ignacio Vieux, was selected as a winner of the Outer Space Security Conference 2024 Youth Campaign. The views expressed in the publication are the sole responsibility of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the UN, UNIDIR nor their staff members or sponsors.