Space exploration fuels economic growth, delivers strong returns on investment, and drives the development of new technologies and jobs. Interest in these activities is growing, with more countries and non-governmental actors participating than ever before. As global engagement increases, so does the need for awareness of and compliance with international space law. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is the UN body responsible for helping Member States build capacity in space law and policy. Since its establishment by the General Assembly in 1958, UNOOSA has worked with both established and emerging space-faring nations to support this goal.
The Global Space Law project assists, on request, UN Member States to draft or revise their national space law and/or policy to be in line with the international normative frameworks applicable to outer space activities. Through direct consultation with the recipient, activities are tailor-made to specific judicial, administrative, and technical requirements. Furthermore, these services support recipients with implementing the existing normative frameworks. This contributes to raising global adherence to, and awareness of, the international and legal instruments applicable to outer space activities, for the benefit of established and emerging spacefaring nations alike.
The Global Space Law project aims to allow UNOOSA to collaborate with Member States and to respond to requests for legal advisory services in a structured and sustainable manner, providing tailor made legal services. Since the launch of the project, the Office has received over 45 such requests from emerging space-faring nations.
However, the project relies upon voluntary contributions to continue its work. If you would like to join the list of partners seen below and support the project, then please get in touch with the project.
The project enables UNOOSA to work with Member States and respond to requests for legal advisory services in a structured and sustainable way. Since its launch, the Office has received over 60 such requests from emerging space-faring nations. To sustain and expand this approach, UNOOSA invites interested parties to support these efforts through voluntary contributions.
Donors:
In-kind contributions:
Former Donors:
Please address all email inquiries on the project to: unoosa-spacelaw@un.org
National Space Law Collection
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here to learn more about UNOOSA's work in the field of space law, including the National Space Law Collection
Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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here to learn more about how space is contributing to SDG 16