The session was part of the International Space Summit held in Paris on Wednesday and Thursday, at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron.
General Secretary and President To Lam outlined five principles for the multilateral governance of outer space and called for the non-use or threat of force and placing people and the Earth at the center. He reiterated readiness for Vietnam to serve as a connecting hub for Southeast Asia in international space cooperation.
The first principle is to preserve outer space for peaceful purposes—fostering dialogue, building trust, and preventing conflict and arms races, while eschewing the threat or use of force.
The second is to place people and development on Earth at the center, prioritizing natural disaster warnings, climate monitoring, resource management, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The third is to uphold international law and the UN Charter, positioning the United Nations and the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) at the heart of multilateral space governance, while strengthening the role of the International Telecommunication Union.
The fourth is to ensure equality among nations in participating in and benefiting from research and technological advancements.
The fifth is to utilize space responsibly, transparently, and sustainably, while minimizing debris and collision risks.
At the event, General Secretary and President To Lam proposed an initiative for Vietnam—in collaboration with France, the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and other partners—to establish a “Space for Development and Resilience” network.
This network will focus on sharing and leveraging space data for development, enhancing capabilities to ensure a safe and sustainable space environment, and connecting research, training, businesses, and investment to foster the space economy. Initially, the network could focus on Southeast Asia, with Vietnam ready to serve as a connecting hub.
Emphasizing that while outer space opens up vast horizons, the ultimate measure of progress remains the value delivered to humanity and the Earth, Mr. Lam affirmed Vietnam’s readiness to work with other nations to translate the conference’s outcomes into concrete actions for the present and for future generations.
