ESC 2026: European Space Conference opens with call for stronger cooperation and governance in Europe’s space sector

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

The European Space Conference opened with a high-level panel discussion focused on cooperation, governance and strategic alignment within Europe’s space sector, bringing together senior leaders from national space agencies across the continent.

The opening session examined how cooperation among European Union Member States can be strengthened amid growing geopolitical pressure and rapid technological change. The discussion featured Paul Bate, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Space Agency; François Jacq, Chairman of France’s Centre National d'Études Spatiales; Walther Pelzer, Director General of the German Space Agency at the German Aerospace Center; and Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency.

Panelists underscored the importance of greater interoperability between national space systems, clearer and more coherent governance frameworks, and closer alignment between national programmes and broader European space priorities. They emphasized that national initiatives and European-level efforts should not be viewed as competing agendas, but rather as complementary elements that must be connected through shared interfaces, coordinated capabilities and increased transparency in programme design and funding.

The speakers also highlighted the need for trust and coordination to ensure that Europe’s space sector remains resilient, competitive and strategically autonomous in a rapidly evolving global environment.

The session was moderated by Hermann Ludwig Moeller, Director of the European Space Policy Institute, who guided the discussion on how Europe can better integrate national and European approaches to address emerging challenges and opportunities in space.