On the New Initiative for Responsible Space Behaviors Proposed by United Kingdom, United States, and Other States

Abstract

In December 2020, the Draft Resolution on Reducing Space Threats through Norms, Rules and Principles of Responsible Behaviours proposed by the United Kingdom, United States, and other States was adopted at the UN General Assembly (hereafter referred to as the “New Initiative for Responsible Space Behaviours”). Nevertheless, it does not mean that the international community would achieve the expected breakthroughs and progress on the topic of preventing an arms race in outer space. The methodology of “identifying threats - characterising behaviors (responsible/irresponsible) - formulating rules” proposed by the Initiative seems reasonable; however, it might bring more unexpected uncertainties than it is supposed to do. This approach could also be found in the Defense Space Strategy promulgated by the United States in 2020. The pros and cons of this Initiative should be calmly and objectively analyzed to avoid a political deadlock in formulating rules of behaviors. It should insist on identifying the threats and risks faced by the international community as a whole rather than that by individual States and interest groups, and reexamine the dichotomy of “responsible/irresponsible behaviors,” focus on the identification and interpretation of rule of international law related to space security so as to reach a consensus on the insufficiency of lex lata and subsequently lay the foundation for the formulation of effective new rules for arms control in outer space.