SGAC Releases United Policy Position
Proposing an Intergenerational Pact
The Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) is pleased to release “Towards An Intergenerational Pact for Space Sustainability,” a Report that details the official policy position of the organisation on the long term sustainability of space activities. The IPASS Report was developed by SGAC’s Advocacy and Policy Platform (SGAPP) and approved by the SGAC executive committee on January 28th, 2024 to voice the united views of the youth in the global space industry.
Recognising the critical importance of space sustainability for young people and future generations, the Report invites the space community to develop an “Intergenerational Pact for Space Sustainability” (IPASS). Leveraging the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity provided by the 2024 UN Summit of the Future, SGAC proposes to include IPASS in the Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations. to catalyse the need to think and act for future generations through meaningful youth engagement and advance the peaceful and sustainable uses of space.
The IPASS Report has been officially presented at the 61st session of the COPUOS Scientific and Technical Subcommittee during a dedicated side event on Space, Youth and Future Generations jointly organised by SGAC, the Government of Austria and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) on February 7th at 6 pm CET in the Vienna International Center.
Throughout 2024, SGAC will continue its dialogue in connection with the negotiations of the zero draft of both the Pact for the Future and the Declaration on Future Generations, with a view to culminate it at the Conference on Management and Sustainability of Outer Space Activities jointly organised by the Government of Portugal and UNOOSA.
SGAC Co-Chairs Antonino Salmeri and Hamza Hameed commented: “We are truly delighted by the release of the IPASS Report, which is a testament to the key role that can and should be played by the space youth in the global quest for space sustainability. Thanks to the 2024 UN Summit of the Future we have a unique opportunity to take decisive action for a safe and sustainable space environment fostering a united global space community for the benefit of all humanity, present and future.”
SGAPP Coordinators Giuliana Rotola and Gina Petrovici said: “We express our sincere gratitude to all the experts who have contributed their valuable expertise in the development of our Policy Position Proposing an Intergenerational Pact for Space Sustainability. Ensuring the sustainability of space is a common endeavour and we are pleased to propose some action-oriented recommendations to the international community that we believe could facilitate space sustainability for all”.
SGAC firmly believes that while there is no singular path toward space sustainability, there is one community. Space sustainability can only be achieved by fostering synergy among stakeholders and acting collectively, guided by a shared vision. This vision, adaptable at various levels—international or national, binding or non-binding, general or specific—allows us to work together towards a common goal. After all, space is not the problem of a few but the responsibility of all.
For more information on IPASS and SGAC engagements in space sustainability, please email the SGAC Chairs at [email protected].