Topic: Peaceful Use of Outer Space
Country: Kyrgyzstan
Delegate Name: Matthew Bush
School: West Ottawa High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Kyrgyzstan position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
While countries all over the world have space programs, very few have proven successful. The United States and Russia are the two most notable countries, with several other powers close behind them. Kyrgyzstan does not possess a government sponsored space program, however a visit to Manas Air Force Base in January 2009 by United States astronauts has inspired many of the Kyrgyzstani youth that space exploration may one day be a priority for this country.
Kyrgyzstan believes firmly that the uses of Outer Space should be strictly explorational and scientific. The country of Kyrgyzstan believes that there are many other problems being faced by this planet, and that militarization of space will only add to the list. It is the belief of Kyrgyzstan that the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) should be taking a larger role in ensuring that countries do not turn Outer Space into a battleground or flight-zone for missiles and espionage weapons.
Outer Space should be treated similarly to Antarctica. The Antarctic Treaty (1959) states that Antarctica shall be used for strictly peaceful purposes, and shall not be the subject of weapons tests, nuclear or otherwise. Freedom of scientific exploration is also a major priority. No country may claim any portion of Antarctica as their own territory. On the space scale, this would benefit many countries who do not possess a space program, or do not currently have the funds to increase a currently existing one. The resolution has worked for over half a century, and is equally applicable to the problems faced now in the 21st century. The government of Kyrgyzstan would like to see not a Space Race fueled by fear and hatred, but an exploratory boom, fueled by curiosity and a passion for knowledge.
