SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)/The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) AeroSPACE Symposium
In a world where the boundaries between airspace and outer space are rapidly dissolving, aerospace has become a critical frontier for diplomacy, security, and innovation. The UNOOSA/ICAO AerosPACE Symposium challenges delegates to engage with the most pressing questions shaping our shared skies and beyond, through the lenses of sustainability and accessibility.
In Topic A, delegates will be tasked with developing solutions on Sustainable Aerospace & Outer-Space Activity. From unchecked private satellite launches to the proliferation of orbital debris, the expansion of aerospace and space activity brings mounting environmental, technological, and regulatory concerns. Delegates will explore global accountability mechanisms for orbital debris and the urgent need for sustainable space traffic management and satellite coordination.
To guide these efforts, delegates will draw on the expertise of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the global authority on air navigation and safety standards, and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), which leads international cooperation for peaceful space exploration. Together, these institutions offer the tools for shaping a sustainable and secure aerospace future.
In Topic B, delegates will be exploring inclusive frameworks for Expanding Aerospace Access, addressing disparities both among countries and within them. Today, fewer than 20 countries possess independent launch capabilities. As the divide grows and in proportion, the rest of the world grows, so does the urgency for inclusive governance. Delegates will consider how to democratize access to satellite infrastructure, share critical data, and foster equitable partnerships across the public and private sectors.
They will also explore how to develop launching infrastructure, support the creation of national space agencies, and ensure domestic access to aerospace opportunities, particularly for underrepresented groups. This topic calls for bold, forward-thinking solutions that ensure aerospace is accessible not just to a privileged few but to all nations and communities. This includes addressing internal barriers such as class, gender, and geographic disparities within countries themselves.
This symposium invites delegates to shape the future of aerospace governance, drawing on ICAO’s regulatory legacy since 1944 and UNOOSA’s leadership in peaceful space cooperation, to advance sustainability and equitable access in both air and space.
Please note that all committee sessions on Friday will tentatively be held at the ICAO headquarters
