17TH EUROPEAN SPACE CONFERENCE

Strengthening global space dialogue, the IAF participated in the 17th European Space Conference on 28 – 29 January 2025, in Brussels, Belgium.

As part of the conference, the IAF hosted its traditional VIP Luncheon, bringing together top space leaders and policymakers. IAF President Clay Mowry and IAF Executive Director Christian Feichtinger welcomed distinguished guests, and Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, and Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA) addressed the guests with welcome remarks on space policy, international cooperation, and Europe’s role in the global space sector. Teodoro Valente received the certificate as appreciation of his invaluable contribution to the Inaugural IAF Global Space Leaders Summit

On 29 January, Christian Feichtinger joined the panel "International Cooperation: An Exchange of Views” and shared the stage with Eric Morel de Westgaver, Director of Strategy, Legal and External Affairs of ESA, Tidiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Council of the African Space Agency, Raúl Kulichevsky, Executive and Technical Director of National Commission for Space Activities in Argentina (CONAE), Marjolijn van Deelen, Special Envoy for Space of European External Action Service (EEAS), and Hermann Ludwig Moeller, Director of European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).

During the discussion, Christian Feichtinger emphasized that international space relations are not only about cooperation but also about competition, which can drive technological innovation and strategic advancements. He highlighted the importance of balancing these dynamics to ensure sustainable growth and equitable access to space.