Hanoi:The Global Space Connectivity and Sustainability Events, organized by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), began today under the theme "Connected Earth, Sustainable Space." The event was attended by Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of CST's Board.
According to Saudi Press Agency, CST Governor Eng. Haytham Al-Ohali emphasized in his opening speech the inseparable growth of non-terrestrial networks and space sustainability. He highlighted that this global event unifies Connecting the World from the Skies and the Space Sustainability Forum, both in their third editions. Previous editions of Connecting the World from the Skies attracted over 6,500 participants from more than 130 countries, while the Space Sustainability Forum saw over 12,000 participants from more than 140 countries.
Al-Ohali shared projections that the global space economy will more than double by 2035, reaching $1.8 trillion. He noted that 2025 was a significant year with global space company investments reaching $60 billion, while the Kingdom invested nearly $180 million in the sector. The SpaceUp competition, launched by the Kingdom, attracted 700 entries from 54 countries, highlighting the role of entrepreneurs and innovators in shaping the space economy's future.
He also mentioned the third edition of the International Research Competition for Non-Terrestrial Networks, organized by CST in partnership with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Over its two editions, the competition received more than 160 research papers from over 440 researchers, demonstrating growing global interest in non-terrestrial networks. Al-Ohali stressed that the proliferation of non-terrestrial networks increases pressure on spectrum and orbital resources, with about 10 new satellites and spacecraft launching daily, leading to congestion and collision risks. He called for international cooperation to ensure long-term space sustainability.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, addressed the event, emphasizing the goal of expanding access to space technologies while managing resources responsibly to maintain their accessibility and usability for the future.
These events underscore Saudi Arabia's leadership in fostering global dialogue on communications and space, reaffirming its role as a platform for regulatory, industry, and research collaboration to establish governance standards and responsible conduct in space. This initiative aligns with the Kingdom's commitment to innovation and global connectivity for a sustainable future.