Seeking Private Sector Advisors for the U.S. Delegation to the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space Legal Subcommittee

Background: The Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) was set up by the UN General Assembly in 1959 to strengthen international cooperation in, and governance of, the exploration and use of space for the benefit of all humanity: for peace, security, and development.  The Committee was tasked with reviewing international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space, studying space-related activities that could be undertaken by the United Nations, encouraging space research programs, and studying legal problems arising from the exploration of outer space.

Under the auspices of COPUOS, the Legal Subcommittee (LSC) provides a multilateral forum for members to discuss several outer space legal issues and related topics.  The United States sends a delegation of representatives from multiple federal agencies led by the U.S. Department of State to participate in the discussions and represent U.S. interests.  Topics on the LSC agenda include, among others:

• National legislation relevant to the peaceful exploration and use of outer space;
• Activities of international intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations relating to space law;

• Legal mechanisms relating to space debris mitigation and remediation measures;
• Non-legally binding United Nations instruments on outer space;
• Legal aspects of space traffic management;
• Application of international law to small-satellite activities; and
• Potential legal models for activities in the exploration, exploitation, and utilization of space resources.

Request: In alignment with Federal Register Notice 12192 the U.S. Department of State is seeking qualified individuals to participate on the U.S. delegation as private sector advisors to the COPUOS LSC.  Interested individuals should:

• Have experience working in the space sector;
• Currently work for a U.S. company, non-governmental organization, or academic institution that focuses on space issues; and
• Have expertise and relevant experience in at least one of the topics listed above.

If selected, an individual will participate on the U.S. delegation throughout the LSC.  Private sector advisors may be invited to attend delegation meetings, to provide informed viewpoints to the delegation on relevant topics, and to attend relevant sessions or other informal meetings of the LSC.

Logistics:

• The LSC is scheduled to meet from April 15-26, 2024.
• Participants will not receive compensation for their time or travel expenses, if applicable.
• There will be two sessions of the plenary each weekday, from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM CET and from 3:00 – 6:00 PM CET. Attendance of the plenary sessions is at the participant’s discretion.
• Participation will be subject to the regulations in Public Notice 665: Participation of Private Sector Representatives on U.S. Delegations (44 F.R. 17649 (Mar. 23, 1979).

• Consistent with current policy, participants may not currently be – nor have been within the past year – registered lobbyists, as defined by 2 USC § 1601 et. seq.

To express interest in participating as a private sector advisor on the U.S. delegation, please submit the following material by March 27, 2024:

• A brief description of your organization (max 300 words);
• An explanation of why you would like to participate on the delegation and how your experience and expertise are relevant to the work of the LSC (max 500 words); and
• A curriculum vitae.

Please e-mail the above materials with “FRN 12192” in the subject line to PolingC@state.gov

The expressions of interest will be reviewed and individuals will be informed if they are invited to participate on the delegation on or about April 1.
Additional Opportunity: Deliver a Technical Presentation During the COPUOS LSC

Request: The U.S. delegation is also seeking a single individual to potentially deliver a technical presentation on space resource utilization (SRU) or another relevant topic (for example, legal mechanisms related to space debris remediation) during the LSC.  The presentation should focus on the role of the private sector in advancing the topic, discuss the importance of international cooperation, and may highlight relevant space law issues.

If selected, the presentation will be:

• Limited to 12 minutes in length;
• Delivered during the “Technical Presentations” slot of the plenary, which meets from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CET and 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM CET every day of the meeting; and
• Reviewed by the U.S. delegation in advance of the presentation.

If you wish to be considered for a technical presentation, please e-mail the following information – in addition to the material listed above for private sector advisors – to PolingC@state.gov with the words “Technical Presentation” in the subject line of your e-mail:

• A brief description of the focus of your proposed presentation and how it addresses SRU and international cooperation (max 300 words).