The Turtle Bay Security Roundtable

2021/3/10

1   On March 10, the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations and the Stimson Center co-hosted a webinar entitled "Space Sweepers: The Advent of Debris Removal Business and Need of Space Norms," with a focus on the issue of space debris removal. This Turtle Bay Security Roundtable series—“Turtle Bay" is the name of the area where United Nations Headquarters in New York is located— has been co-hosted by the mission since 2011. This year, it was held online for the first time in light of the COVID-19 situation and was joined by nearly 150 participants. 
 
2   During the webinar, Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, delivered an opening address, followed by remarks by Ms. NAKAMITSU Izumi, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs of the United Nations, on the UN's efforts and views on space rulemaking and space debris removal. Mr. OKADA Mitsunobu, Founder and CEO of Astroscale and Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Space, emphasized the serious challenge posed by space debris, the need for the space debris removal business, and the importance of reflecting the voice of the private sector in Astroscale's activities as well as in promoting space rule-making.
 
3   In the Q&A session, many questions and comments were raised by the audience and Mr. Okada and Under-Secretary-General Nakamitsu underscored the need for transparency in space activities such as the debris removal business and the importance of steadily following up on the United Nations General Assembly resolution “Reducing Space Threat through Norms, Rules and Principles of Responsible Behaviours”.
 
4   In order to ensure space security and the sustainable and stable use of outer space, Japan actively participates in international discussions, including those at the United Nations. It continues to play a role in formulating effective rules when considering the future of space activities, and we believe that this webinar was a meaningful step in this regard.
 
 
Highlights (approximately 5 minutes)
 
 
Full Video (approximately 1 hour)