By MacKenzie Hareland

The General Assembly First Committee adopted five resolutions on Topic Area 1 and is hopeful for the passage of an additional resolution on the last day. Resolution I/6 was authored by Madagascar. The resolution takes a different approach to solving the number of space threats, putting forth the idea that the moon be named an ecological sanctuary under the international committee. 

Representatives in support of this resolution were able to host a press conference to further explain this resolution. During the press conference the Director of the International Press Delegation Katie Evans said, “How do we know that this work that you are doing is going to continue to contribute to demilitarization on the moon?” Representative Amelia Raible of Madagascar in response said, “Because the moon is unpopulated, it is open to any country or any state for militarization or colonization, so in ensuring that the moon is designated as an ecological sanctuary, it ensures that no other country can come in and colonize it or militarize it.”

When asked about their reactions to the resolution not passing, Representative Raible said, “I think a lot of people didn’t have the chance to read it because they just assumed it was about sending penguins to the moon, when penguins aren’t referenced in the draft at all.” Representative Tricia Donohue of Madagascar also said, “It’s very clear to me that there is a specific group of countries that don’t want to see any progress on this resolution at all despite the fact that its been through both the Chairs and the Rapporteur and been approved within the purview of the committee. There should be no issue.” 

While this resolution does not seem to have the approval of the majority, those who wrote it are proud of the effort put forth to craft a resolution that can stand out from the rest. “It was great to work on a resolution that was different from all the other resolutions,” said Representative Zach Nelson of South Africa. However, there may still be hope for Resolution I/6 as the Representatives who worked on it try to get it on the floor before the committee is out of session.