The text of the following joint statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and of the Italian Republic at the inaugural U.S.-Italy Space Dialogue.
Pursuant to their shared goal of advancing bilateral space cooperation as declared by their leaders, the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Italian Republic held their first bilateral Space Dialogue in Rome, Italy on October 10-11, 2024. The convening of the inaugural U.S.-Italy Space Dialogue follows the commitment from Prime Minister Meloni and President Biden to strengthen space cooperation in July 2023.
The Vice-President on the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani sent a message highlighting the importance of deepening bilateral cooperation on space affairs in the framework of the strategic partnership between Italy and the United States. Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Edmondo Cirielli, Vice Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy Valentino Valentini, the Secretary General of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Riccardo Guariglia, and Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Italy Shawn Crowley participated in the dialogue.
In their welcome and keynote messages, Gen. Franco Federici, Military Advisor of the President on the Council of Ministers and Secretary of the Inter-ministerial Committee for space and aerospace-related policies; Chirag Parikh, Executive Secretary of the National Space Council; and Rahima Kandahari, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, underscored that the inaugural Space Dialogue will deepen space cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of both countries and the world. Both delegations comprised representatives of a range of ministries and agencies involved in space activities.
The U.S.-Italy Space Dialogue’s purpose is to strengthen cooperation and advance bilateral collaboration in space matters. At the meeting, Italian and U.S. officials exchanged information on respective national space policies, including Italy’s forthcoming space law as well as the U.S. Space Priorities Framework. Both sides reiterated their strong determination to expand already robust bilateral cooperation in a variety of areas, including addressing the climate crisis and sustainable and safe use of outer space; preserving outer space heritage; advancing national security space cooperation and information sharing; and strengthening bilateral commercial space cooperation.
The participants reviewed challenges to our shared economic and national security interests. Both sides are determined to continue their close coordination in strengthening the global governance of space activities by promoting the widest possible accession to and full compliance with the Outer Space Treaty, including not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction.
Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to the development and implementation of voluntary, non-legally binding international best practices and guidelines to promote the sustainable, safe, and responsible use of outer space.
In this regard, both sides welcomed the adoption of United Nations General Assembly resolution 77/41 and called upon all States to commit not to conduct destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite missile tests. Both sides welcomed States making and observing this national commitment in order to ensure that this proposal becomes an internationally recognized norm of responsible behavior.
Both sides resolved to deepen the bilateral coordination on national security space policies, practices, and capabilities; particularly given both the growing scope of counter-space and related threats and potential adversaries increasing use of space to track and potentially target NATO and Allies’ forces, exercises, and other activities. They resolved to strengthen the coordination of national security space activities with other allies and partners around the globe, including by leveraging innovative commercial space capabilities, to ensure access to critical space-based services and improve space domain awareness. Both sides also confirmed their interest in working together to strengthen the cybersecurity of space systems and the security and resilience of critical space-related activities and services against the full spectrum of threats.
Both parties also reiterated the strategic importance of low-Earth orbit, specifically highlighting the scientific and research activities taking place on board the International Space Station (ISS) today and on commercial space stations in the future. Both delegations shared the understanding that industrial partnerships and investments are of the utmost importance and the United States welcomed Italy’s engagement in this endeavor.
The participants discussed ongoing cooperation in space exploration and science and opportunities to strengthen partnership in these areas. Both sides are determined to continue collaboration on scientific missions to enhance understanding of our solar system and investigate the origins of our universe, including through NASA’s Artemis missions. The participants noted the critical importance of habitation on the lunar surface and welcomed further discussions on potential cooperation on the Italian Multi-Purpose Habitation (MPH) module. The United States welcomed Italy’s efforts on the MPH modules and looks forward to future successful developments. The participants also expressed their intent to discuss further cooperation in exploration, particularly on cislunar and lunar surface activities and in Low Earth Orbit.
Italy and the United States discussed their shared interest in strengthening cooperation with new and emerging space programs around the world, including in Africa and Latin America. Both sides agreed to continue the discussion on possible opportunities to work together to promote international norms of responsible behavior in outer space and to collaborate on training, education, and capacity building programs. Both countries reviewed joint efforts to promote the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, including work in the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS), and other UN bodies and the strengthening of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). As founding signatories of the Artemis Accords, which reaffirm the importance of compliance with the Outer Space Treaty and other core treaties, and establish a shared understanding for safe, sustainable, and transparent use of outer space, both countries expressed the importance of advocating for these principles in UN bodies and other multilateral fora. Both countries further reiterated the need to continue outreach on the Artemis Accords to non-signatory countries.
The two countries decided to stay in close communication on expanding commercial space ties and leveraging commercial space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities, as U.S. responsibilities for civil and commercial SSA shift in the coming years from the Department of Defense to Department of Commerce. Both sides recognized the importance of addressing space debris.
Both sides acknowledged that Earth observation is a priority area for bilateral cooperation. They discussed a range of programs that use satellites to better forecast weather patterns; preserve outer space heritage; support agricultural and infrastructure planning; help monitor and combat climate change and pollution; prepare for and respond to disasters; improve natural resource use; and provide vital telecommunications services. Moreover, sharing of and facilitating access to satellite data especially in the field of climate protection, research, and resilience are seen as fundamental by both sides. The two countries also discussed capacity building efforts for emerging spacefaring nations.
Both countries highlighted progress in negotiating a Technology Safeguards Agreement between Italy and the United States, which is designed to provide the legal and technical framework for U.S. commercial space launch from Italy and has the potential to open new commercial opportunities in a range of advanced technologies related to space.
Following the government-to-government discussions, both sides held a commercial roundtable on the margins of the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, which brought together dozens of private space companies from each of the two countries and highlighted existing partnerships. The session allowed industry representatives to better understand how the United States and Italy promote their respective commercial space sectors and to outline opportunities and challenges for stronger bilateral cooperation. Participants also discussed reciprocal investment into each other’s space sectors. Existing partnerships were examined to help boost ties between the two commercial space sectors and enable promotion of new partnerships.
Both countries remain committed to continue to work together in the areas mentioned above and to explore other collaboration such as space industry sector development.
