Malta signs Artemis Accords, committing to sustainable space activities
Two ministers, parliamentary secretary attend the signing of the Artemis Accord
Malta has signed the Artemis Accords, committing to responsible, transparent and sustainable space activities.
The signing was made during a ceremony at Xjenza Malta attended by two ministers, a parliamentary secretary and the US ambassador.
Established in 2020 by the United States, the Artemis Accords set out non-binding principles to guide civil space exploration and international cooperation. Building on existing international space law, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, the accords promote peaceful use, transparency, interoperability, registration of space objects, data sharing, debris mitigation and the long-term sustainability of space activities.
Foreign Minister Ian Borg said that in an era where geopolitics were increasingly shaped by technology and strategic competition beyond Earth, the Artemis Accords provide a shared framework for responsible behaviour, transparency, and accountability among like‑minded partners.
Education Minister Clifton Grima, who signed the accords, said Malta is taking a deliberate step to position itself within a high-value, innovation-driven global sector. "This initiative strengthens our governance framework, enhances Malta's international credibility and creates new opportunities to attract investment, build expertise and generate quality employment within the space economy," he said.
Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti said this was a clear message that space is no longer a distant or theoretical domain, but a rapidly expanding global industry with direct relevance to Malta. "Its impact is increasingly evident across key sectors including maritime services, climate monitoring, digital infrastructure, security, insurance, regulatory and financial services."
NASA Europe Representative, Gregory Mann also attended the ceremony.
The Government of Malta, through Xjenza Malta, is currently engaged in preparatory technical work laying out the institutional and regulatory foundations required to license and supervise space activities carried out in or from the country. Xjenza Malta is spearheading the drafting of a national Space Activities Act, which will provide the legal framework for commercial space operations.