EUTELSAT IGO participated as an Observer in the 68th plenary session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), held in Vienna from 25 June to 2 July 2025 and chaired by Mr. Rafiq Akram of Morocco.
With 104 Member States and 56 Permanent Observers, COPUOS serves as the leading multilateral forum for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. In 2025, the Committee received six new membership applications and 14 requests from organisations and states for ad-hoc observer status, reflecting the growing global interest in space governance.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), called for urgent action on space safety amid an ever-growing number of satellite launches, citing a recent near-collision in orbit, just 75 metres apart, between satellite operators in the Asian region and emphasised the need for a dedicated international committee on space traffic coordination.
During the session, Member States agreed to:
- Establish a new international Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness.
- Task UNOOSA with gathering input on legal and policy aspects of space traffic management, from national regulations to industry practices.
- Call on the 80th UN General Assembly to decide on convening a fourth UN Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE IV) in 2027.
- Adopt the reports of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the Legal Subcommittee.
EUTELSAT IGO followed closely matters of interest to the Organisation regarding inter alia “Ways and means of maintaining outer space for peaceful purposes”, “Use of space technology in the UN system”, “Space and sustainable development”, “Space 2030” agenda and “Future Role and Method of Work of the Committee”.
In his statement submitted to COPUOS the Executive Secretary:
- reaffirmed EUTELSAT IGO’s committment to the sustainable use of outer space;
- welcomed the recent signs of a stronger strategic and financial engagement by the French State vis a vis the Eutelsat Group;
- highlighted the Organisation’s continued support for the work of COPUOS and its Subcommittees.
The statement was delivered by Ms. Petra Šajn on behalf of the Executive Secretary.
