This UN status will enable the non-governmental Secure World Foundation (SWF) to further its objectives dedicated to maintaining the secure and sustainable use of space for the benefit of Earth and all its peoples.

The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) is the primary international venue for debate and action on space governance.

"Gaining Permanent Observer status will enable the Secure World Foundation to provide information and assistance on our agenda to the many COPUOS delegates from around the world," said Ray Williamson, SWF Executive Director.

"At the recent COPUOS meeting, where we were granted Permanent Observer status, delegates from several countries approached us for space policy assistance. We see this as an important service we can provide individual countries or groups of countries," Williamson said.

The Secure World Foundation (SWF) is a private operating foundation that engages with academics, policy makers, scientists and advocates in the space and international affairs communities to support steps that strengthen global space security.

Focus on space governance
SWF promotes the development of cooperative and effective use of space for the protection of the Earth's environment and human security. Furthermore, the Foundation serves as a research body, convener and facilitator to advocate for key space security and other space related topics and to examine their influence on governance and international development.

The Foundation focuses on space governance, spotlighting a host of key mutual interests, such as:

- Orbital Debris - Increasing amounts of debris in Earth orbit are becoming significant safety hazards to spacecraft.

- Orbital Crowding - Evolving orbital space activities, including privately-funded human spaceflight, are leading to crowding in some key orbits.

- Space Weapons - Preventing the development and use of space weapons, including anti-satellite devices that threaten current and future space activities.

- Space Sustainability - Making better use of space assets to help in the stewardship of planet Earth's fragile biosphere and environment, including mitigating the danger to our planet from a Near-Earth Object (NEO) through the establishment of effective governance.

Space technology benefits
In receiving the Permanent Observer status at the 2008 Plenary Session of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space last month, Williamson noted that the path to development depends in large part on the benefits that space technology brings.

"In our view, human security is closely linked to the maintenance of space security. Coupled with this, the Secure World Foundation is a strong proponent of preventing global conflict from spilling into the space sector through the effective promotion of internationally accepted norms of behavior for further space activities," Williamson added.

Just a half century after the inauguration of the Space Age, the Secure World Foundation underscores the fact that never before has humanity been so interconnected with the technology and capabilities to plan new space systems.

Indeed, the stage is set to design and implement comprehensive new international cooperative institutions and agreements that will provide a secure future for space and benefit for the Earth.

"We wish to thank the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space for granting us Permanent Observer status, thereby allowing us to help shape and safeguard the secure and sustainable use of the space environment," Williamson concluded.

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