2026 GEO Symposium / GEO-21 Plenary “Investing in Earth Intelligence for a Resilient Future”

Statement of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF)

By Dr. Christian Feichtinger, IAF Executive Director

Dear GEO distinguished co-chairs, Honourable Ministers, Esteemed Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honour to address you on behalf of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), a proud GEO Participating Organization since 2014.

The IAF whole heartedly supports GEO’s post-2025 strategy and the ambitious  vision of delivering Earth Intelligence for All - ensuring that data, knowledge, and services truly translate into measurable benefits for society. In this context, the role of the global space community becomes impossible to ignore. It is shifting from simply providing data to driving real impact, from granting access to enabling wide-scale application, and from periodic coordination to forging enduring partnerships.

Established in 1951 and now approaching 75 years - the IAF has served as a neutral and inclusive platform representing over 600 organizations worldwide. Through our extensive network and premier space events such as International Astronautical Congresses and IAF Global Space Conferences we bring together voices from government, industry, academia, and emerging space nations.

In recent years, the International Astronautical Federation has reinforced its commitment to sustainability and Earth observation through concrete, high-level initiatives.

At the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025) in Sydney, Australia - held under the theme “Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth” and gathering close to 8,000 delegates from 99 countries - the International Astronautical Federation continued to place space-based solutions for climate action at the centre of the global agenda.

In the framework of IAC 2025, the International Astronautical Federation, with the support of the United Nations, organized a dedicated workshop on coastal resilience and emergency management, highlighting the role of space technologies in supporting vulnerable regions.

Building on this momentum, the IAF is now bringing this global dialogue closer to the regions most affected by climate change. Following the first edition of the IAF Global Space Conference on Climate Change (GLOC 2023) in Oslo, Norway, the second edition - GLOC 2026 – marks a strategic shift from the Global North to the African continent, reinforcing a commitment to inclusivity, regional engagement, and impact.

The IAF Global Space Conference on Climate Change (GLOC 2026) will take place from 2 to 4 June 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, under the inspiring theme “Uniting Space and Earth for Climate Resilience”. This event will place a strong emphasis on making Earth Intelligence actionable, with priority given to regions most vulnerable to climate impacts.

GLOC 2026 will focus on three priorities aligned with the GEO agenda: 

This gathering will bring GEO principles to life: keeping Earth data not just open, but also useful, insistently collaborative, and unambiguously focused on making real, tangible differences. Connecting data providers with end users, fostering investment-ready solutions, and reinforcing the link between science, policy, and implementation, knotting the crucial lines between science, actionable policy, and tangible results.

The IAF remains committed to supporting GEO in building an ecosystem where Earth Intelligence empowers, guides, and drives impact for everyone, across all regions.

Thank you.

Dr. Christian Feichtinger

Executive Director

International Astronautical Federation (IAF)