Enhancing collective security in outer space: challenges and opportunities at the dawn of a new space age

FRS and U.S. Embassy & Consulates in France are pleased to invite you to a webinar, Enhancing collective security in outer space: challenges and opportunities at the dawn of a new space age, which will be held online on Tuesday, November 5, 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm (CET).

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Synopsis
Space is entering a new era, with the number of government and private-sector players on the rise and the number of uses exploding. Constellations of thousands or tens of thousands of satellites are shaping the communications infrastructures of tomorrow, while the military is relying more and more on satellites to conduct its operations. During the Cold War, space remained the prerogative of States that had a vested interest in controlling it and making it a sanctuary. We are now moving into a complicated space where objects have multiplied and tensions have been rekindled. Often described today as a “contested, congested and competitive” environment, near-earth space is seen as a place where new balances of power are at work. These new developments call for new relations between the States themselves, in order to define the conditions for a peaceful coexistence in space. Despite recent efforts in UN forums, discussions remain tense on this subject, with the Russian and Chinese proposal for a new treaty to ban the deployment of weapons in space coming up against the skepticism of the United States and Europe in view of imprecisions of form and substance.
The aim of this webinar is to take stock of current debates and outline possible new avenues for discussion, particularly at a time when the United States and China are considering strengthening their global footprint in space whether in Low-Earth orbit of with new lunar exploration projects.

Opening remarks
Michael Turner, Counselor for Cultural Affairs, US Embassy in Paris 

Speakers
Victoria Samson, Chief Director, Space Security and Stability, Secure World Foundation, Washington D.C. Office 

Discussant
James Clay Moltz, Professor in the Department of National Security Affairs, Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Monterey, Ca.

Moderation
Xavier Pasco, Director, Fondation pour la recherche stratégique (FRS)