Overview

By its resolution 77/250 of 30 December 2022, the General Assembly:

Decides to convene, beginning in 2023, a United Nations Group of Governmental Experts, with a membership of up to 25 Member States, chosen on the basis of fair and equitable geographical representation, to consider and make recommendations on substantial elements of an international legally binding instrument on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, including, inter alia, on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space;

Also decides that the newly established Group of Governmental Experts will operate by consensus, without prejudice to national positions in future negotiations, and hold two 2-week sessions in Geneva, one in 2023 and the other in 2024, and further decides that the Chair organize, in New York, a two-day open-ended intersessional informal consultative meeting, in 2024, so that all Member States can engage in interactive discussions and share their views on the basis of a report on the work of the Group to be provided by the Chair in their own capacity;

Upon the invitation of the Secretary-General, the following Member States have nominated experts to participate in the work of the Group: Australia; Brazil; Canada; Chile; China; Cuba; Egypt; France; Germany; Hungary; India; Iran (Islamic Republic of); Israel; Japan; Morocco; Pakistan; Philippines; Republic of Korea; Russian Federation; South Africa; Sweden; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; United States.