More than 40 countries, including the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and Japan, have called on states to provide advance notification of launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and space launch vehicles.
The appeal was made in a joint statement issued during a meeting of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
“We call on all relevant states to commit to measures to provide affected states with advance notification of launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and space launch vehicles (SLVs),” the statement said.
The countries noted that one existing mechanism, the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation, currently includes 145 participating states.
They called on all countries, particularly nuclear-armed states conducting ICBM, SLBM and space launch vehicle launches, to issue notifications at least 24 hours in advance.
Based on the statement, notifications should include information such as the general class of the ballistic missile or space launch vehicle, the launch area and its planned direction. Countries should also provide clear notices to airmen and mariners in line with international standards to reduce risks, including in areas where an impact or landing is expected.
The signatories stressed that regular and transparent notification mechanisms do not restrict countries’ military development or operational requirements. Instead, they said, such measures reduce the risk of miscalculation, build confidence and demonstrate a shared commitment to security.
“We remain committed to working with all states to strengthen the implementation of notification mechanisms and expand their scope, as well as to hold accountable any state whose actions are inconsistent with its responsibilities,” the statement said.
