Since 2011 , the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations has hosted the Turtle Bay Security Roundtable series in cooperation with the Stimson Center, an independent policy research center working to protect people, preserve the planet, and promote security & prosperity. The Roundtable convenes UN Member States, representatives of the UN Secretariat, and experts from think tanks, industry, and academia to mutually inform and develop practical ideas that advance international peace and security. Since 2019 , the Turtle Bay Security Roundtable has worked to shed light on the complex nexus of emerging technologies and global peace and security. The series relaunches virtually in 2021 with a focus on the role of technology innovation and the private sector in outer space.
With the beginning of the space age over 60 years ago, satellites were launched into orbit to collect and communicate data. These activities in space have created debris as satellites reach the end of their lifespans, discarded rockets stay in orbit, and other detritus from satellite operations build up. The pieces of orbital debris that do not re- enter the Earth’ s atmosphere can continue to circle our planet for hundreds, and even thousands, of years. Space debris can collide with working satellites that people around the world depend on, which is why the United Nations has discussed best practices to minimize the amount of debris that is created. However, this will not be enough to ensure that space is usable over the long- term: debris must be removed as well. Companies like Astroscale plan to help reduce the amount of debris by focusing on both mitigation and removal.
Turtle Bay Roundtable Featured Speakers
Ambassador Ishikane Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, United Nations
Mr. Nobu Okada, Founder and CEO of Astroscale, and Vice President of the International Astronautical Federation and co-chair of the World Economic Forum’ s Global Future Council on Space
Brian Finlay, President & CEO, the Stimson Center