COPUOS

COPUOS, the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, is a committee of the United Nations General Assembly responsible for coordinating international cooperation in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. It traces its origins to the beginnings of the space era and was established to develop norms, guidelines, and legal frameworks that govern space activities. The committee operates as a forum for member states and other stakeholders to discuss scientific, technical, and legal aspects of space activities and to promote peaceful purposes.

The committee is based in Vienna, Austria, and is supported by the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), which serves as its secretariat. COPUOS functions through two main subcommittees: the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, which handles space science, technology, remote sensing, space weather, and related topics; and the Legal Subcommittee, which deals with international space law, treaties, and governance. Together, these bodies review developments in space activities and formulate guidance for the international community.

A cornerstone of COPUOS’s work is the development and refinement of core space-law instruments, including the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and related agreements such as the Rescue Agreement (1968), the Liability Convention (1972), and the Registration Convention (1976). The committee also addresses practical issues such as space debris mitigation, safety, capacity-building for developing countries, and the sustainable use of outer space. COPUOS organizes regular sessions and UNISPACE conferences that bring governments and organizations together to coordinate policy, standards, and cooperation in space activities.

Membership and resolutions flow from COPUOS’s discussions to the General Assembly, guiding international norms and cooperation for peaceful space exploration.