Statement on G7 Pledge to Reduce Space Debris

The G7 Hiroshima Summit 2023 concluded with strong commitment to space sustainability.

The G7 Summit serves as an annual forum of the highest levels of international leadership, bringing together heads of state from France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, and the European Union to address the most pressing global challenges affecting the international community.

Given the stature of the participants and the gravity of the discussions, we are thrilled to observe that space sustainability has a dedicated section (Section 41) in the G7 Hiroshima Leaders’ Communiqué. Section 41 represents the the G7 leaders’ commitment to promoting the safe and sustainable use of outer space by addressing the challenges posed by space debris.

Their commitments include:

• Strongly supporting the urgent and necessary implementation of international guidelines adopted at the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

• Welcoming national efforts to develop additional solutions for space debris mitigation and remediation

  as well as further research and development of orbital debris mitigation and remediation technologies.

• Committing to refrain from conducting destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing and encouraging others to follow suit, in order to ensure the security, stability, and sustainability of outer space.

The transformation in awareness of space sustainability over the past decade has been truly remarkable. Space debris, once considered a fringe topic, has now become a key priority for government leadership worldwide, and we applaud this level of support and investment from the Group of Seven.