Welcome and Introduction
1
BY
RAM S. JAKHU
CONFERENCE CO-CHAIR
27 MAY 2016
Speakers
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Introduction:
 Prof. Ram Jakhu: Associate Professor, McGill Institute of Air & Space Law
 Dr. Dale Stephens: Director, Research Unit on Military Law and Ethics,
University of Adelaide, Co-chair of this Conference
Welcome remarks:
 Prof. Paul Dempsey: Director, McGill Institute of Air & Space Law
 Prof. Daniel Jutras: Dean of Faculty of Law, McGill University
 Dr. Rosie Goldstein: Vice-Principal (Research and Innovations), McGill
University
Keynote speeches:
 Mr. Niklas Hedman: Chief of the Committee of the Policy and Legal
Affairs Section of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
 Dr. David Kendall: Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful
Uses of Outer Space (2016-2017)
Purpose of this presentation
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 the rationale and format of the 4th Manfred Lachs Conference
on “Conflicts in Space and the Rule of Law”
 brief information about a unique international research
project, which we are publically launching today; i.e. the
McGill Manual on International Law Applicable to Military
Activities in Outer Space (MILAMOS)
McGill Institute of Air and Space law
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 Created in 1951, McGill University's Institute of Air &
Space Law is the uncontested world leader in its field
 It offers the most advanced and comprehensive air
and space law program in the world.
John C. Cooper
 Over the past 65 years, the Institute has produced
more than 1000 graduates from more than 120
countries.
 During the last 14 years, the Institute has generated,
and received grants and donations, totaling more than
$5 million.
Paul S. Dempsey
Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the IASL
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Rationale of the Conference
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 Almost sixty years of exploration and use of outer space have
brought unprecedented benefits to humankind.
 Humanity now depends heavily on space.
 From the provision of cellular phone signals to navigation,
from banking to weather forecasting, disaster monitoring
and agriculture, space services and data have become almost
indispensable with our daily lives.
Rationale of the Conference
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 However, as space infrastructure grows more vital to global
economic, business and strategic systems, the potential of
space conflict appears to increase.
 Possible armed conflict in space might have serious
implications for the space systems of all nations.

A single “day without satellites” would have terrible impacts
on daily lives of people, particularly those who increasingly
rely on space assets.
Objective of the Conference
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This Conference is convened to address the following questions:
 What are the military technologies and activities that pose
challenges and risks to space security, and the peaceful uses of
outer space for the benefit of all?
 What are the possible conflicts related to property rights in the
exploitation of space natural resources?
 How can non-State actors be regulated with respect to activities
that might give rise to conflicts in space?
Objective of the Conference
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 What are the most urgent and achievable forms of Global
Space Governance necessary to prevent strategic conflict?
 How do existing rules of international humanitarian law
apply to armed conflict in outer space?
 How dire is the need to clarify applicable rules of
international law to avoid and to minimize the detrimental
effects of any future conflicts in outer space?
Conference program development and papers
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 During the Conference, there will be about 35 papers presented.
 The presentations will consist of several papers selected out of
about 60 abstracts received & the remaining are invited papers.

The highest quality papers will be published in an edited book.
Conference program committee
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Collaborating institutions
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The Conference is
financially supported
by the Eric J C
Arsenault Fund at the
Faculty of Law and
ROOM, the Space
Journal
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Launching the
McGill Manual
on International Law Applicable to
Military Activities in Outer Space
(MILAMOS)
Need for MILAMOS
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• It is believed that there is a dire need to clarify
applicable rules of international law to avoid
and minimize the detrimental effects of any
future conflicts in outer space
• Even before the smoke (and fire), we should be
prepared for its outbreak
• One-sided interpretations of the law and
freedom of action in space is dangerous
• Certainty of having some law is better than
lawlessness
MILAMOS Project
What is a manual ?
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• A collectively agreed text produced by international group of
•
•
•
•
experts
Experts act in personal capacities
Manual contains list of black-letter rules, with commentaries
Based on lex lata reflected in customary international law
Brings together applicable law on a particular topic
McGill Manual
on the International
Law Applicable to
Military Activities in
Outer Space
Prepared by
McGill University,
University of Adelaide,
….
Recognition of the
MILAMOS Project to date
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 Recognition and support from the Government of Canada
 Financial support from the Erin JC Arsenault Fund at McGill
 Financial support from the Social Sciences and Humanities
Research Council of Canada
 Endorsed by the International Committee of the Red Cross
 Strong interest from some Chinese universities and an Indian
security research centre
 Strong interest in participation by some world’s leading
technical & legal experts
MILAMOS Process
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 Partnership between McGill University Centre for Research in
Air and Space Law and University of Adelaide Research Unit on
Military Law and Ethics. McGill University hosts its secretariat.
 Equal and active participation by
Prof. Steven Freeland & Wing Commander Duncan Blake
 Expected project timeline of 3 years with cost of about $1.2
million
 McGill Faculty members and graduate students working with
international experts (about 40)
 In search for renowned legal and technical experts
Organizational Structure
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Conclusion
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MILAMOS will provide a neutral, objective and
accurate statement of the applicable law
The McGill Manual will be an important step in
ensuring that space is used pursuant to the rule
of law for peaceful purposes and for the benefit
of whole humanity.
For more information, please visit:
www.mcgill.ca/milamos
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
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SAVE THE DATE FOR:
5rd Manfred Lachs International Conference on Global Space Governance
May, 2017
IASL, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.