The United States and the European Union have joined other nations in committing to an International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities.
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said in a statement on January 17: "A Code of Conduct will help maintain the long-term sustainability, safety, stability, and security of space by establishing guidelines for the responsible use of space,"
"The long-term sustainability of our space environment is at serious risk from space debris and irresponsible actors. Unless the international community addresses these challenges, the environment around our planet will become increasingly hazardous to human spaceflight and satellite systems, which would create damaging consequences for all of us."
In the statement, Clinton said that the US would not enter into a code of conduct that constrains its national security-related activities in space or its ability to protect the United States and its allies.
"We are, however, committed to working together to reverse the troubling trends that are damaging our space environment and to preserve the limitless benefits and promise of space for future generations."
The US sees space congestion, threats from "non-state actors" as two of the greatest issues that country faces in space.
Information from the US Department of State says that around 60 states and government groups, plus commercial and academic organisations operate satellites, creating a highly congested space environment.
The US Department of Defense tracks around 22,000 objects in orbit including 1,100 active satellites.