(Full) Veto on Space Weapons - UN General Assembly Debates Security Council Veto

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Published Jun 22, 2024

Replay from 6 May- The General Assembly convened its 78th plenary session to discuss the use of veto power in the Security Council on outer space weapons.

Explaining the Russian Federation veto in the Security Council, Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya 6 May told the General Assembly that “despite its beautiful sounding title” the United States drafted resolution on the non-placement of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destructions in outer space “not only did not address the declared goal” but “could have entailed far reaching consequences for the entire disarmament process.”

Nebenzya told the GA that “another very dangerous element of the American draft” was that it “clearly attempts to use the Security Council to introduce new restrictions which have not previously been enshrined anywhere - including the Outer Space Treaty, which raises serious doubts from a legal point of view.”

He said, “imposing such obligations without preliminary expert legal and technical discussions is inadmissible.”

Ambassador Yamazaki Kazuyuki of Japan, which co-drafted the resolution, told the General Assembly that “outer space must remain a domain free of weapons of mass destruction.”

Kazuyuki said, “this use of the veto casts serious doubt on Russia's commitment to the peaceful use and exploration of outer space and the fundamental principles enshrined in the Outer Space Treaty.”

The veto, he said, “is yet another example the same permanent members’ disrespect for the global non-proliferation regime” and “such irresponsible action once again disgraces the august body of the Security Council, which bears the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.”

On 24 April the Council rejected the draft resolution, introduced by Japan and the United States, by a vote of 13 in favour to one against, with one abstention (China), that would have had the 15-member organ call on “all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the objective of the peaceful use of outer space and of the prevention of an arms race in outer space.”

By the draft, the Council would have called on all nations “to refrain from actions contrary to that objective and to the relevant existing treaties in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international cooperation”.

Council members also rejected an amendment tabled by China and Russia, by a vote of seven in favour to seven against, with one abstention, failing to reach the required nine votes for an adoption.