State Secretary Martina Hirayama represents Switzerland at the International Space Summit in Paris

The International Space Summit, convened at the initiative of President Emmanuel Macron, was held in Paris on 9 and 10 September. High-level representatives from government, science, business, the military and civil society discussed shared visions and approaches to key issues raised by the growth in space activities. Switzerland was represented by State Secretary Martina Hirayama.

The Summit aimed to foster a ‘frank and open dialogue’ on the challenges facing space and its future. The space sector has undergone profound changes in recent years, a trend that is expected to continue and even accelerate. Topics on the agenda included the growing use of low Earth orbits, how the space economy is structured, the major fields of scientific research, lunar exploration and talent development. The Summit underlines the vital importance of space, its global reach and its complexity.
Switzerland is committed to a strong Europe in space
Ms Hirayama took part in the Summit’s proceedings. In her remarks, she highlighted the importance of science and international cooperation and emphasised that Europe currently needs strong capabilities to increase its resilience and remain a reliable international partner. Switzerland supports the European Space Agency (ESA) and the call to action on space exploration and transportation. Furthermore, the growing role played by the private sector is opening up new opportunities. The ultimate aim remains to deliver tangible benefits to citizens and our society, while complying with the applicable international frameworks and rules.
During the Summit, Ms Hirayama held several bilateral meetings.
Switzerland has been active in space for decades
A founding member of ESA in 1975, Switzerland participates in almost all of its programmes and conducts its space activities primarily through the agency. Swiss companies and research institutions make outstanding technical and scientific contributions to ESA missions. The Swiss citizens also benefit from this in their daily lives: essential services such as weather forecasts, disaster alerts, and navigation and telecommunications applications all rely on satellite infrastructure.