2018 UNIDIR Space Security Conference

The United Nation's Institute for Disarmament Research's (UNIDIR) Space Security Conference series has proved to be an invaluable forum for policy dialogue and an effective vehicle for informing international space and security policy perspectives. 

For years, discussions on space, security and the next age of human exploration have revolved around the “threats of tomorrow” and “wars of the future,” yet little has been done to meet these challenges at the international level. Discussions for a new, legal instrument for arms control in outer space continue to be at a stand-still, and even “soft law” instruments have difficulty finding critical support. Conversely, space activities are only gaining momentum. The year 2018 will mark a significant year for the space environment, with private actors expected to launch the first missions of a new generation of space actors. Likewise, States are enacting laws to further spur innovation and strengthen the space economy. Such changes will drastically alter realities in space, whether or not the global governance structure for space activities is ready or not.

In this context, the UNIDIR 2018 Space Security Conference (OS18) examined the existing framework for space governance to see what aspects are still relevant to the emerging order in outer space, as well as what elements should be updated.

The 2018 conference was organized by UNIDIR in collaboration with Secure World Foundation and The Simons Foundation Canada. 

Event Materials

• Agenda
• Conference Report
• Audio Recordings and Slides
• Speaker Bios

For more information, please contact Washington Office Director Victoria Samson at vsamson@swfound.org.