Global reliance on space-based technologies has increased considerably. At the same time, threats to space assets have proliferated, whether from counterspace capabilities, the cyber domain or space debris, to name but a few. These challenges are further compounded by the growing number of actors involved in space activities, the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence into space systems, and a blurring of the line between civilian and military uses of space services.
The diversity of these challenges, coupled with the ever increasing importance of outer space for humankind, means that constructive dialogue among all stakeholders will be crucial to ensuring that outer space remains peaceful and secure. UNIDIR’s Outer Space Security Conference 2025 (#OS25) will serve as a timely and inclusive platform for this dialogue between a wide array of stakeholders across various sectors.
This event will offer the diplomatic community and experts from industry, the military, academia and civil society a vital opportunity to engage in dialogue on the complex challenges surrounding outer space security. The conference will bring together experts to explore technical, legal and policy solutions aimed at ensuring that outer space remains peaceful, secure and accessible to all.
When and where
Tuesday, 9 September – Wednesday, 10 September 2025, Palais des Nations (Room VII) Geneva, and online via Zoom.
Agenda
Day 1
Welcome remarks
- Robin Geiss, Director, UNIDIR
Keynote conversation with Robin Geiss, Doreen Bogdan-Martin and Aarti Holla-Maini — Bridging vision and responsibility: Challenges and opportunities for a secure space future
In this opening conversation, the heads of UNIDIR, International Telecommunication Union and United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs will reflect on the role of multilateral institutions in shaping a secure, inclusive and sustainable future for outer space. As the space environment undergoes rapid transformation, this dialogue will explore how their respective agendas intersect to support international cooperation, strengthen governance, and safeguard the benefits of space for all.
OS25 Youth video premiere
The Outer Space Treaty states that the exploration and use of outer space shall be the province of all humankind. Reflecting this spirit, UNIDIR and its partners will present the second edition of the Outer Space Security Conference Youth Video Competition – an initiative designed to engage young voices from around the world in the conversation on space security.
Panel 1 – Fact or fiction? Exploring emerging technologies and their impact to outer space security
Innovation in space technology is accelerating, driven by both States and commercial space companies. Technical developments such as autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, quantum communication, cyber-secure architectures among others are reshaping the space environment in complex ways. This panel will explore a range of emerging space technologies to better understand how they function, their degree of development and deployment, and how they may shape the outer space environment.
- Ioana Bratu, Co-Director, Amsterdam Law and Technology Institute Vrije University Amsterdam
- Zhanna L. Malekos Smith, Senior Associate, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Adjunct Professor, New York University
- Laetitia Cesari, Fellow, UNIDIR
Moderator: Thomas G. Roberts, Assistant Professor of International Affairs and Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
Lunch break
Lightning talk – OS25 Youth video competition winner
Panel II – Mapping space security: Threats to space systems and consequences for space and Earth
Threats against space systems now span a broad spectrum, ranging from placement of weapons in outer space, the development and use of kinetic and non-kinetic counterspace capabilities, acts and behaviours such as non-consensual rendezvous and proximity operations (RPOs), the ambiguity of dual-use space systems that blur civilian and military functions, threats arising from doctrines and policies and a lack of clarity and transparency in terminology, doctrines and policy disclosure. This panel will take a comprehensive view of these threats, exploring how they are emerging, the consequences they pose for both space and Earth, and the coordinated measures that stakeholders can take in response. It will also examine the broader implications of inaction, including the erosion of long-term space security and the risk of an arms race in outer space.
- Guoyu Wang, Dean, the Academy of Air, Space Policy and Law; Professor, Law School, Beijing Institute of Technology
- Beatrice Hainaut, Research Fellow, Institut de Recherche Stratégique de l’École Militaire
- Regina Peldzsus, Specialist Space Security, European External Action Services
- Rogel Mari Sese, Chair, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Ateneo de Davao University
Moderator: Sarah Erickson, Project Coordinator, Space Security and Weapons of Mass Destruction Programmes, UNIDIR
Coffee break
Lightning talk – OS25 Youth video competition winner
Panel III – From principles to practice: Evolving approaches to space security and PAROS in all its aspects
This panel will explore how legally binding and non-legally binding measures for space security can complement and reinforce one another as building blocks to achieve the goals of prevention of an arms race in outer space (PAROS). The panel will also consider the institutional and diplomatic chronology of PAROS and its intersection with other multilateral and national initiatives. By reflecting on diplomatic trajectories, tensions, and points of convergence, experts will be able to articulate their views for advancing PAROS in all its aspects in today’s changing space environment.
- Shen Jian, Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs, Deputy Permanent Representative of Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and Other International Organizations in Switzerland
- Clive Hughes, Head of Space Security and Advanced Threats, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
- Claudio Leopoldino, Counsellor, Permanent Delegation of Brazil to the Conference on Disarmament
Moderator: Almudena Azcárate Ortega, Researcher, Space Security and Weapons of Mass Destruction Programmes, UNIDIR
Technology demonstration
This interactive session offers a focused deep dive into the technologies and services by technical experts. Designed to foster practical understanding, the demonstration will be followed by a brief question and answer session, providing participants with the opportunity to engage directly with the presenters on technical capabilities, use cases, and potential applications.
Presenters
- ClearSpace
Moderator: Peter Martinez, Executive Director, Secure World Foundation
Reception
Day 2
Opening remarks
- Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
Panel IV – The security of cislunar space and beyond
As countries and commercial actors accelerate plans to return to the Moon, research and development in cislunar space technologies and missions are increasing rapidly. Space security concerns are no longer limited to near Earth orbits with the growing prospects of cislunar traffic, lunar bases and space resource extraction. International discussions on the existing relevant legal aspects – particularly those relating to the miltarization and weaponization of celestial bodies, and the limitations and prohibitions thereof – are increasingly important to understand. This panel will look at how the current legal and policy framework can address these challenges and consider what lessons can be drawn from existing practices as well as explore how ongoing space security discussions could help understand specific challenges to the cislunar domain and beyond.
- Antonino Salmeri, Director, Lunar Policy Platform
- Zhao Yun, Professor, University of Hong Kong
- Martina Elia Vitoloni, Doctoral Candidate and Researcher, McGill Institute of Air and Space Law
- Louisa Handel-Mazzetti, Assistant Professor of Military Law, Dutch Defense Academy
Moderator: Victoria Samson, Chief Director, Space Security and Stability for Secure World Foundation
Lightning talk – OS25 Youth video competition winner
Lunch break
Panel V – Strategic unpredictability in the space domain: Navigating intersections, escalation and restraint
As space systems become increasingly entangled with national security architectures, concerns about strategic predictability in the space domain are gaining renewed attention. Deliberate attacks, but also misperception, operational entanglement and crisis escalation – particularly in a context where space capabilities support strategic functions – can all feed into strategic unpredictability. However, stability in space is not only about preventing uncontrolled escalation. It is also about understanding the evolution of the wider geostrategic context, including the role of space doctrines and military space plans in shaping strategic signalling and influencing perception. Accordingly, this panel will explore how stability is being affected by different factors, discuss the role of past arms control approaches and consider how new approaches could help facilitate dialogue towards building predictability, restraint, transparency and mutual understanding.
- Laura Grego, Senior Scientist and Research Director, Global Security Program, Union of Concerned Scientists
- Sarah Erickson, Project Coordinator, Space Security and Weapons of Mass Destruction Programmes, UNIDIR
- James Black, Deputy Director, Defence and Security; European Lead, Space RAND
- Riqiang WU, Professor of International Relations, Tsinghua University
Moderator: Jessica West, Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation
Lightning talk – OS25 Youth video competition winner
Coffee break
Panel VI – Commercial actors and space security: Evolving challenges, roles and responsibilities
Commercial actors are integral to space operations, providing capabilities such as launch services, satellite operations, and space-based data infrastructure. Many commercially operated systems are dual-use, intermingling civilian and military services in manners that are often ambiguous and can heighten tensions, raising questions about targetability and the responsibilities of commercial actors. Certain commercial technologies also raise concerns as their capabilities could potentially be repurposed to harm other actors, thus blurring the lines of what constitutes a weapon in outer space. As outer space becomes increasingly populated with advanced technologies, commercial pursuits and diverse actors, new and complex security challenges are emerging. This panel will explore such challenges and examine how all stakeholders may pursue practical steps to strengthen cooperation in a manner that encourages innovation and promotes space security and the goals of PAROS.
- Jessie Ndaba, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Astrofica Technologies
- Anirudh Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, Digantara
- Melissa de Zwaart, Professor, Space Law and Governance, University of Adelaide
- Jinyuan Su, Professor, Wuhan University Institute of International Law
Moderator: Chelsea Mai, Research Assistant, Space Security and Weapons of Mass Destruction Programmes, UNIDIR
Concluding remarks
- Robin Geiss, Director, UNIDIR
*More speakers will be added soon.
Further information
For inquiries, please contact almudena.azcarate@un.org.