Topic: Private Sector Access to Outer Space
Country: New Zealand
Delegate Name: Emerson Byrne
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All New Zealand position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
The nation of New Zealand is a strong supporter of expansion in the industry of space exploration, and allowing the private sector to contribute to the exploration of outer space. Exploration of outer space should remain one of the top priorities of mankind, as it allows us to make drastic advancements in the fields of science, technology and engineering, while also allowing us to learn more about outer space.
By allowing access for private companies, it creates competition, which in turn creates more jobs in STEM fields, more international trading, more insight and information gathered about space travel and can undoubtedly create new technology that all of mankind can benefit from, provided these organizations abide by Space Law.
However, something that needs to be maintained and upheld by all nations is neutrality in outer space. No nation can be allowed to own or claim regions of outer space, and no nation can be allowed to bring weapons of mass destruction into space. If a nation were allowed to bring weapons of mass destruction into space, it would be in direct violation of Space Law. Allowing for weapons of mass destruction endangers the entirety of the world, and is an act of aggression. This must be taken into consideration when aiding certain countries. The first and foremost priority for the private sector must be for scientific purposes; any actions in outer space must abide by Space Law.
Organizations that wish to expand their development must agree to the following conditions set by Space Law; any action in space must be for the betterment of mankind; any action taken in space must abide by international law; an object that is launched into space is subject to the nation it was launched from; an object that is launched into space is the responsibility of the nation from where it was launched from; an object that is launched into space cannot interfere with any other object belonging to another country; and finally, all delegates of the United Nations must reach a unanimous decision to take further actions that are not outlined in this paper. The nation of New Zealand wishes to see the continued exploration of the cosmos, and wishes to see more cooperation between nations in order to foster trust, ingenuity and success.
Sources:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/nz.html
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