Statement by the Delegation of the Republic of Armenia at the 62nd Session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)

03 February, 2025

Chair,

At the outset, we extend our gratitude to the Chair of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, Ulpia Elena Botezatu, and assure you of our delegation’s support and cooperation.

We also extend our gratitude to the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs and its Director, Aarti Holla-Maini, for her leadership, dedication, and the meticulous preparation of this session.

Chair,

Outer space is a shared domain of humankind and its sustainable use and exploration for exclusive peaceful purposes should for the backbone of the progress and advancement of the mankind. While the United Nations’ outer space treaties form the cornerstone of the legal framework governing the peaceful use of outer space, non-legally binding instruments, such as the Long-Term Sustainability and space debris guidelines, also play a crucial role in guiding national space policies.

Armenia supports the mandate of the COPUOS and its two Subcommittees, a unique platform for governing the peaceful use of the outer space and fostering international cooperation and advancing capacity-building efforts in space science and technology.

Chair,

We believe that maximizing space-derived economic benefits, advancing the space industry, and integrating the space sector with fields such as energy, public health, and the environment are key to addressing global challenges, including climate change, while accelerating the progress towards the achievement of the Agenda 2030.

With this understanding and as a country which has recently embarked on space faring activities, Armenia advocates for equal opportunities for developing countries to benefit from space resources and activities. In this context, technical support and cooperation, as well as sharing of know-how between the developed and developing countries is of particular importance to make sure that all nations have necessary capabilities to benefit from the immense opportunities provided by space.

Armenia prioritizes developing its national space capabilities as an important sector for our countries sustainable development, and a driver for scientific, technological advancement, while making sure that the space technologies enhance our understanding of environmental and climate challenges and help devise fit-for-purpose strategies and programs for the environmental preservation.

In 2024, Armenia has made significant strides in space technology and research.

A key milestone in 2024 was the AMADEE-24 Mars analogue simulation field mission, held in Armenia. Organized by the Austrian Space Forum and hosted by the Armenia Aerospace Agency, the mission involved 200 scientists from 26 countries. It facilitated diverse experiments in geoscience and robotics, evaluating challenges and advantages for future human planetary missions.

The Armash site was chosen for its geological and topographic resemblance to Mars, offering a realistic environment to test equipment, including high-fidelity spacesuit simulators and portable systems. The mission enabled the development of platforms for life-detection techniques, robotic support tools, and situational awareness systems for remote teams. It also served as a catalyst for enhancing planetary science visibility and refining the operational framework for human missions to Mars, providing a robust model for mission support and astronaut decision-making.

Armenia closely follows the processes of establishment and operationalization of the ATLAC. This is an important endeavor to develop coordinated and cooperative regulatory frameworks for lunar activities among states. Armenia stands ready to actively engage and support the objectives of the ATLAC with a view to making the immense opportunities provided by lunar activities beneficial for all states and humanity.

In conclusion, we look forward to engaging in productive discussions throughout this session.

I thank you.

MFA RA
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