Italy’s chairmanship of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) will continue following the consensus decision by all Member States to appoint Ambassador Mario Cospito, Special Commissioner of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), as Chair for the 2026–2027 biennium. For Italy, this represents an important recognition of the work undertaken and of its leadership in the strategic space sector.
During the 69th session of COPUOS, held in Vienna last June, the Committee had appointed Professor Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency, as Chair. Professor Valente subsequently passed away prematurely.
COPUOS, whose Secretariat is the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), is based in Vienna and was established in 1959 to promote international cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. Italy was among its founding members, and the Committee currently comprises 110 Member States.
“The confirmation of Italy’s chairmanship of the United Nations COPUOS represents a great opportunity for our country, for Europe and for the Italian Space Agency. It is a great honour for me to serve the international space community in such an important context,” said Ambassador Mario Cospito, Special Commissioner of the Italian Space Agency. “It is a responsibility that we are taking on in the collaborative spirit that distinguishes us. Italy and the Agency are fully committed to continuing the path already set out by President Teodoro Valente: a path aimed at building the broad consensus needed among all Member States represented on the Committee, so that outer space may continue to be a common heritage of humanity. The space economy and the evolving global geopolitical landscape are changing the profile of space activities. In response to these new challenges, COPUOS is called upon to develop new responses and new models of cooperation, strengthening its role and continuing to serve as a key forum for peaceful, safe and sustainable outer space activities, in the interests of the entire international community”.
The consensus that accompanied the confirmation of the Italian chairmanship is the result of coordinated and responsible efforts involving the entire Italian system, working in a unified manner towards this objective. A decisive contribution was made by the diplomatic efforts of Ambassador Debora Lepre, Permanent Representative of Italy to the International Organizations in Vienna, and her team, whose steadfast support played a key role in achieving this new success.
