Topic: Private Sector Access to Outer Space
Country: Egypt
Delegate Name: Brendan Slusser
School: Royal Oak High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Egypt position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
It is becoming increasing clear to Egypt that as time goes on, the space surrounding our planet is evolving from the political battleground it once was, to an economic footrace between not only states, but large corporations and private citizens as well. This, then, raises our question: to what extent should the private sector be allowed to access outer space? Egypt feels that, much like our seas now, outer space has far too many economic benefits to turn away. However, at the same time we have to realize that the private sector tends to exploit any opportunity they receive to the fullest.
This particular issue is one that will most likely cause some disagreement amongst nations. For one thing, should the private sector be regulated at all in outer space and if so, to what extent? If the private sector is to be regulated, who will be doing the regulating? Egypt feels that without at least some government regulation of the private sector, we then give them the opportunity to potentially start forming monopolies.
There are a few crucial components that the Arab Republic of Egypt must see in a resolution in order to gain our support. Firstly, this committee must keep in mind the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 (A/RES/21/2222), and not allow weapons contractors to launch or test their weapons in the orbit of any celestial body. Secondly, Egypt feels that oversight from the United Nations in regards to regulations would not be effective. Instead, we propose that regulations be the responsibility of the company’s/citizen’s origin state. This allows for the private sector to become involved in the new frontier, while still ensuring that law and order is kept in tact.
The space surrounding our planet has much to offer; too much for us on Earth to not reap the benefits. Once more, the human race is blazing a trail, this time on the final frontier. However, we must learn from the mistakes our ancestors made in regards to other frontiers, or we are bound to repeat them. The Arab Republic of Egypt looks forward to finding a carefully thought out solution to this issue, and hopes that other nations have learned from the mistakes our predecessors made in a past as well.
