Missile Non-Proliferation Workshop on the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) and
a Site Visit to Hokkaido Spaceport
On September 24th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) hosted a missile non-proliferation workshop as a confidence-building measure under the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC).
Government officials and other stakeholders involved in non-proliferation and space policy from 16 countries and regions, including Jordan (HCOC Chair), Uruguay (former HCOC Chair), Ghana (incoming HCOC Chair), Austria (HCOC Immediate Central Contact / Executive Secretariat), Angola, Cambodia, Fiji, France, Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, the Philippines, the United States, and the European Union (EU) participated in the workshop.
- At the workshop on September 24th, Mr. IGUSA Makoto, Deputy Director-General, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department, MOFA, stated that it is important to strengthen international non-proliferation efforts through the further universalization of the HCOC as an indispensable element for the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space, considering the severe security environment in the Indo-Pacific region, including North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities, as well as the risks accompanying the rapid development and spread of dual-use technologies.
The workshop featured active information sharing and exchange of views on non-proliferation and space development, and on missile proliferation and regional security. The HCOC Chair and other participating countries also gave presentations on the HCOC’s roles and importance. - On the following day, September 25th, participants made a site visit to the facilities at Hokkaido Spaceport as part of confidence building measures.
: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan