SPACE LAW CONFERENCE: OPERATIONALISING SPACE SUSTAINABILITY (UNOOSA), Nov 19-20, 2025, Vienna, Austria

The United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) will host a Space Law Conference at its offices in Vienna, Austria from November 19-20, 2025.

The topic is: Operationalising Space Sustainability: Legal and Regulatory Approaches Across the Lifecycle of Space Debris.”

More information is on the event’s website, which says:

The rapid expansion and diversification of space activities, as well as the growing congestion of our orbits, have made it imperative to move from policy to practice in ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space. The 2025 United Nations Conference on Space Law and Policy examines how legal and regulatory frameworks can effectively respond to the growing operational realities of space sustainability. Under the theme ” Operationalising Space Sustainability: Legal and Regulatory Approaches Across the Lifecycle of Space Debris ,” the Conference explores how States are translating internationally agreed instruments, such as the Space Debris Mitigation and Long-term Sustainability Guidelines, into national law and practice. It will also consider the application of the Rescue and Return Agreement in contemporary contexts, focusing on the procedures and obligations that arise when debris or other space objects land on Earth and how States can operationalise its provisions in practice. The final discussions will turn to emerging activities from active debris removal to on-orbit servicing, examining how questions of responsibility, jurisdiction, and specifically ownership transfer intersect with the broader objective of maintaining a safe and sustainable space environment. Let us together discuss how we can move beyond theory by bridging legal principles with real-world operations, turning principles into practice, strengthening collective efforts to preserve the space environment today and secure its continued use for the benefit of future generations.

Conference Themes and Sessions

Translating Space Sustainability into National Regulatory Frameworks
Integrating Sustainability into Practice
The Rescue and Return Agreement in Action: Legal and Operational Reflections
Emerging Space Operations and Legal Considerations: from on-orbit servicing, active debris removal to transfer of ownership
Patents in Outer Space: Technology, Law & Policy (Joint Conference Panel by WIPO & UNOOSA)