The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs has warned that growing military competition in outer space threatens international peace and security.

Director and deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Adedeji Ebo, raised the concern on Thursday, during a joint meeting of the General Assembly’s First and Fourth Committees.

The Nigerian-born official warned that emerging military technologies were creating increasingly complex challenges for international space security.

Mr Ebo identified allegations concerning the development of objects capable of carrying nuclear weapons in orbit among the growing concerns.

He also highlighted plans involving other space-based weapons and increasingly frequent close approaches between space objects.

The official expressed concern about the expanding use of commercial satellite services to support military operations during armed conflicts. He said space-based systems were also becoming increasingly important for missile detection and monitoring compliance with disarmament agreements.

Mr Ebo, consequently, called for urgent international measures to prevent further deterioration in the security environment. He welcomed the commencement of substantive negotiations within the UN open-ended working group on preventing an arms race in outer space.

According to him, the mechanism provided a common platform for addressing competing approaches to space security. He explained that legally binding agreements and voluntary measures should be considered complementary rather than mutually exclusive.

Mr Ebo also advocated stronger coordination among international institutions responsible for disarmament, space activities and telecommunications. He said the Conference on Disarmament and Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space had important complementary responsibilities.

The Nigerian-born UN official further highlighted the growing importance of commercial companies in developing and operating space technologies. He said private-sector capabilities could support verification, monitoring and implementation of international agreements.

Mr Ebo urged governments to strengthen cooperation on space traffic management, satellite safety and the regulation of complex operations in orbit. He maintained that international trust and political commitment remained essential to achieving effective space governance.

(NAN)