Summary.
Article 1 proposes full approval of the Constitutive Convention of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (Agencia Latinoamericana y Caribeña del Espacio), concluded in Mexico City. The convention establishes the agency, known as ALCE, as an international organization with its own legal personality for peaceful space cooperation. Its headquarters would be in the United Mexican States, with offices or representative bodies permitted in member states. Latin American and Caribbean states may join by consenting to be bound; the Assembly may admit other states and international organizations under categories it establishes. Financial obligations would apply to each member when the convention takes effect for that state.
ALCE’s objectives include coordinating members, planning peaceful exploration and use of outer space, strengthening scientific and technological capacity, promoting technology transfer, and developing regional satellite technology. They also include sharing infrastructure and Earth observation data, increasing the participation of women and girls in space activities, exchanging information on climate change and disasters, seeking financing, and engaging the public and private sectors. The convention provides for preference to industries of member states in opportunities to participate in agency programs. Agency decisions and programs would preserve each state’s ability to pursue sovereign policies and fulfill international commitments.
To carry out those objectives, ALCE would conduct projects and research, prepare inventories of existing capacity, develop a regional risk map, and study the space sector. It would organize training, exchange satellite data for early warning systems, participate in international forums, and cooperate on national space legislation. Its structure would comprise an Assembly of member state representatives and an administrative Secretariat. The Assembly would decide by consensus, approve the budget, set financial contributions by reference to criteria used by the United Nations (Organización de las Naciones Unidas), and adopt regulations. It would elect a rotating president for one year and meet at least annually. It would also elect the Secretary General for a four-year term. That official would submit an annual report and appoint staff. The convention requires the Secretariat’s functional independence and commits member states to respect it.
The instrument provides for the legal capacity, privileges, and immunities needed by ALCE, its representatives, and officials to perform their functions. It calls for cooperation on intellectual property protection and confidentiality for information identified as such throughout the convention’s term and for at least 10 years after its termination, unless the information is public. It establishes five official languages and submits disputes over interpretation or application to direct negotiation. Amendments require consensus and would take effect 30 days after the last notification that the necessary formalities have been completed.
The Government of the United Mexican States (Gobierno de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos) would serve as depositary for instruments of ratification and accession. The convention would take effect 30 days after 11 states deposit their instruments and, for a state joining later, 30 days after its own deposit. It would have indefinite duration; a denunciation would take effect six months after receipt. The text also governs dissolution of the agency, disposition of its assets, reservations, and registration under the Charter of the United Nations. Article 2 provides that the approving law would take effect upon promulgation.
The bill’s subject matter concerns the National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional), ALCE, the Government of the United Mexican States, and the United Nations. It could interest research and education institutions, telecommunications and satellite technology operators, space industries, disaster prevention services, and sectors that use Earth observation data.
What it proposes.
- Approval of a constituent treaty for regional space cooperation.
- ALCE’s organization, objectives, activities, and financing.
- State participation and the convention’s entry into force.
Who it would affect.
- Latin American and Caribbean states that become parties to the convention.
- ALCE’s bodies, representatives, and staff.
- Other states and international organizations admitted by the Assembly.
Key points.
- Approves in full the convention establishing ALCE as an international organization for peaceful space activities.Art. 1
- Sets objectives for scientific cooperation, satellite technology, data exchange, disaster prevention, and participation by women and girls.Art. 1
- Organizes the agency through a decision-making Assembly and an administrative Secretariat, and governs its budget, contributions, and selection of officers.Art. 1
- Provides for functional privileges and immunities, intellectual property protection, and confidentiality duties.Art. 1
- Governs negotiated dispute resolution, amendments, ratification, accession, and the deposit of instruments.Art. 1
- Sets the conditions for the convention’s entry into force, denunciation, dissolution of the agency, reservations, and registration.Art. 1
- Provides that the approving law would take effect upon promulgation.Art. 2