Annex: Preamble to the revised draft International
Code of Conduct on Outer Space Activities
"The Subscribing States
"Noting that all States should actively contribute
to the promotion and strengthening of international cooperation
relating to the activities in the exploration and use of outer
space for peaceful purposes;
"Considering that these activities play a growing
role in economic, social and cultural development of nations,
preservation of the environment, promotion of international cooperation,
strengthening of national security and sustaining international
peace;
Recognizing the need for the widest possible adherence
to relevant existing international instruments that promote the
peaceful uses of outer space in order to meet emerging new challenges;
"Further recognising that space capabilities
— including associated ground and space segments and supporting
links — are vital to national security and to the maintenance
of international peace and security;
"Recalling the initiatives aiming at promoting
a peaceful, safe and secure outer space environment, through international
cooperation;
"Recalling the importance of developing transparency
and confidence-building measures for activities in outer space;
"Taking into account that space debris constitutes
a threat to outer space activities and potentially limits the
effective deployment and exploitation of associated space capabilities;
"Stressing that the growing use of outer space
increases the need for greater transparency and better information
exchange among all actors conducting outer space activities ;
"Convinced that the formation of a set of best
practices aimed at ensuring security in outer space could become
a useful complement to international space law;
"Noting that such best practices could apply
to all types of outer space activities;
"Reaffirming their commitment to resolve any
conflict concerning actions in space by peaceful means;
"Recognising that a comprehensive approach to
safety and security in outer space should be guided by the following
principles: (i) freedom of access to space for peaceful purposes,
(ii) preservation of the security and integrity of space objects
in orbit, (iii) due consideration for the legitimate defence interests
of States;
"Conscious that a comprehensive code, including
transparency and confidence-building measures could contribute
to promoting common and precise understandings;
"Adopt the following Code of conduct for outer
space activities (hereinafter referred to as "the Code")."
| 
