The initiative to arrange a forum with the participation of all related representatives of the satellite communications industry is another step towards preserving near-Earth space and expanding the capabilities of humanity for its further use, including for improving the quality of life of the Earth’s population.

The main threat to safe space activities is the sharp increase in the number of near-Earth objects. Primarily due to the deployment of multi-satellite commercial constellations. This entails an increased risk of chaotic collisions and an exponential rise of the amount of space debris in orbit. The worst-case scenario for the situation involves an increase in the number of debris even without new launches. Numerous initiatives of interested international governmental and non-governmental organizations – ITU, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA), etc. – are aimed at preventing the development of this scenario.

The ITU Space Sustainability Forum is designed as an opportunity at the highest level to present, discuss and delve deeply into policies, best practices, guidelines and strategies to ensure conditions under which space remains accessible and sustainable for future space activities. The event will bring together leaders and professional experts from the satellite and space industries, space agencies and telecommunications companies, governments, regulators and other space stakeholders. Speakers at the forum will include ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau Mario Maniewicz, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) Aarti Holla-Maini, Director General of GSOA Isabelle Mauro, and others.

ITU will organise an open broadcast of the event on 10–11 September 2024. We invite all interested parties to participate remotely in the forum.

Link to the official page of the event https://www.itu.int/ssf/