ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin opens second Space Sustainability Forum in Geneva

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, has opened the second edition of the ITU Space Sustainability Forum in Geneva, calling for stronger international cooperation and practical action to ensure that space remains a safe, inclusive, and sustainable environment for future generations.

Speaking during World Space Week, Bogdan-Martin highlighted the growing momentum in global collaboration around space governance and sustainability since the inaugural forum last year. She underscored ITU’s role in advancing coordination, transparency, and practical tools to manage the rapid expansion of space activities.

“We meet during World Space Week to celebrate how space science and technology can improve human life and advance sustainable development,” she said, adding that “space is a unifier” that demands shared responsibility among governments, industry, and international organizations.

Bogdan-Martin announced several new ITU initiatives designed to strengthen global space cooperation. Chief among them is the ITU Space Sustainability Gateway, a centralized platform providing contact points across administrations, operators, and space agencies, as well as access to technical resources, best practices, and databases on responsible space operations. Developed in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the Gateway aims to enhance information sharing and promote responsible post-mission disposal practices.

The ITU has also launched SpaceConnect, a series of online discussions that explore key issues such as low-Earth orbit (LEO) fundamentals, authorization, ground networks, and the humanitarian impact of space technologies. Eight episodes have already been released, with more planned for the remainder of the year.

Bogdan-Martin noted the increasing prominence of space-related issues at global platforms such as the G20 Digital Economy Ministers Meeting, the Global Cybersecurity Forum, and the UN General Assembly. She referenced the UN Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact, both of which emphasize space traffic coordination, debris management, and equitable access to satellite orbits as essential elements of sustainable development.

“This year is all about action,” she emphasized. “For ITU, that means securing a reliable, interference-free radio environment that keeps your space investments safe and sustainable.”

Pre-forum workshops, held in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission and the Digital Regulatory Academy, provided participants with hands-on training on space sustainability and regulatory issues. The event also features a live demonstration of a space traffic coordination system offering free safety services to civil and commercial operators — an example of how public and private capabilities can align to enhance space safety.

Bogdan-Martin drew attention to the scale of investment and growth in the global space economy, noting that over USD 60 billion has been invested in the sector in the past decade, with 80 per cent occurring in the last five years. The space economy, she said, could reach USD 1.8 trillion by 2035, underscoring the need for disciplined coordination and spectrum management to prevent interference and maintain operational safety.

“As more countries establish space agencies and engage in space activities, we must work together to uphold our responsibility as stewards of spectrum on Earth and in space,” she said. “We must keep the process fair, and keep the orbital and spectrum environment usable for all.”

Concluding her remarks, the ITU Secretary-General urged the international community to redouble efforts in communication, coordination, and sustainability to ensure that the benefits of space are shared equitably across the world.

“If we want the benefits of space to reach all people,” she said, “we need better communication, closer coordination, and stronger sustainability efforts. Together, we can make space a foundation for resilience and inclusive global progress.”

The two-day ITU Space Sustainability Forum 2025 brings together government officials, space agencies, private sector leaders, and experts to discuss the future of sustainable space operations and cooperation in an increasingly complex orbital environment.

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye