IAF Global Space Leaders Summit
Day: Tuesday, 30 September 2025
Time: 10:30 – 12:30
Location: International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), Level 5, Grand Ballroom
Status: Closed Event (upon invitation only)
Bringing together the foremost leaders of the global space community, the IAF Global Leaders Summit stands as a premier and exclusive platform for strategic dialogue among the heads of the world’s space agencies and national space offices. This distinguished forum convenes the key decision-makers who are collectively shaping the future of space policy, exploration, and cooperation on a global scale.
The second edition of the IAF Global Space Leaders Summit, jointly organized by the International Astronautical Federation, and our esteemed IAF Member since 2011 and IAC 2025 Co-Host – the Australian Space Agency, will take place on 30 September 2025 in Sydney, Australia, in conjunction with the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025) under the visionary theme “Global Space Governance: Shaping the Future Together.”
Following the landmark 2024 Inaugural Session of the IAF Global Space Leaders Summit, where each of the 60 participating Heads of Agencies delivered official statements to their global counterparts, the 2025 edition will adopt a highly interactive format.
Participants will engage during four exclusive closed-door, moderated roundtables focusing each on the timely topics of Space Exploration, Earth Observation, Security, and Space Diplomacy, offering an unparalleled opportunity for shared vision, candid dialogue, and strategic alignment.
In tribute to the exceptional leadership of its participants, the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) proudly presents the unique IAF Global Space Leader’s Pin – a uniquely crafted emblem featuring a moonstone with a unique serial number. This pin stands as a rare symbol of excellence in space leadership and as lasting token of the leader's esteemed contribution to advancing the global space agenda.
Recognizing the vital need for continued collaboration at the highest level, and building on the momentum of last year’s success of the inaugural session, the second edition of the IAF Global Space Leaders Summit reaffirms the Federation’s commitment to empowering those at the helm of space governance.
Master of Ceremony
Welcome Remarks
MODERATORS:
Round Table on SPACE EXPLORATION:
Round Table on EARTH OBSERVATION:
Round Table on SECURITY:
Round Table on SPACE DIPLOMACY:
ESTEEMED HEADS OF SPACE AGENCIES AND OFFICES:
Ahmad Belhoul AL FALASI
Minister of Sports and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE
United Arab Emirates
Juan Carlos CORTÉS PULIDO
Director, Spanish Space Agency (AEE)
Spain
Orsolya FERENCZ
Ministerial Commissioner, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary
Hungary
Painos GWEME
Director General, Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA)
Zimbabwe
Frank MONTENY
Director General Research and Space, Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO)
Belgium
Christer NILSSON
Vice Director General and Director of Technology, Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA)
Sweden
Madis VOORAS
Head, Estonian Space Office
Estonia
Zhigang BIAN
Vice Administrator, China National Space Administration (CNSA)
China
Observers:
Aarti HOLLA-MAINI
Director, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Austria