Report of the SGACxECSL Model UN COPUOS 2022

Selection process & preparatory webinars

Space law enthusiasts were encouraged to participate in this event not only to learn about the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer space as an international cooperation forum, but also gain valuable insights into current issues and challenges that the space community faces. The selected Delegates received preparetory training and guidance not only through the organisational team but also through preparatory webinars and panel discussions. 

Once the Delegates had been selected to participate, they were first able to learn about the basic rules & procedures that a participant has to follow at a Model UN. The "Model UN 101" webinar was chaired by Hamza Hameed and Sam Condie and held on Sunday, 24 April 2022. The selected Delegates received guidance on position papers, research methods, opening speeches and other general considerations to keep in mind during this - and future in-person - MUNs. Despite starting out with a virtual session, first time Delegates should be prepared to dress to impress when showing up at the next Model UN COPUOS session. Furthermore, the different points and motions that the Delegates were able to use during the session were carefully presented to them. In addition, the Delegates received a Handbook with a lot of useful information about the event. 

The second preparatory webinar was held on Sunday 1 May 2022 and saw high-level practitioners and experts share their views during a panel discussion on principles and practical measures on the legal aspects of space resources activities. The panelists were Alexander Soucek, Head of the Public International Law Division at ESA, Rebecca Bresnik, Associate Chief Counsel for International Matters at NASA, Tare Brisibe, Former Chair of the UN COPUOS Legal Subcommittee and Steven Freeland, Professor Emeritus and current Vice-Chair of the UN COPUOS LSC Space Resources Working Group. The questions were moderated by Rosanna Hoffmann, ECSL Executive Secretary. 

To learn more about the concept of the event, click here. 

Model UN Session - should we regulate space resource exploitation?

Leading up to the event, the delegates received information & preparatory materials, as well as goodies from the organisers to stimulate the exchange and foster excitement leading up to the main session. On the first day of the event, the Delegates were able to deliver their opening statements, as well as hear from another set of experts directly involved in the workings of the Committee: Michael Newman, Legal Officer an UNOOSA, Sergio Marchisio, Former Chair of the UN COPUOS Legal Subcommittee and Jean-Francois Mayence of Belgium shared their experience, as moderated by Batuhan Betin.

Over the course of four days, there were intense discussions conducted on multiple different platforms, including a custom virtual space for delegates to meet and "walk around" to one another hosted by the sponsor GatherTown. Delegations tried to convey a way to regulate space activities regarding the use of resources, potential mining incidents and plans of exploitation, equitable sharing of monetary benefits related to space mining and the involvement of non-space faring nations into the benefit sharing of possible exploitation. Safety zones formed an important issue, including the tackling of a "crisis" on the moon and the matter of appropriation. Some "news" and "statements" were thrown in to stimulate discussion. The session was chaired by Clement Loneux and Kaja Harton.

Organisers & Organisational Team Members

The ECSL would like to extend its gratitude and support to all volunteers, organisers and organisational team members involved in the preparatory work as well as moderation and supervision during the event, including: Valentina Luchetti, Hamza Hameed, Charlotte Flory, Rosanna Hoffmann, Clement Loneux, Alimamy Conteh, Batuhan Betin, Hristina Talkova, Ivan Fino, Kaja Harton, Roser Rodriguez, Sunishka Sharma, Sam Condie, Tania Gres, Tiffany Rosemarry.