By Abbas Nazil
The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) will host the second Global Space Conference on Climate Change (GLOC 2026) from 2 to 4 June in Kigali, Rwanda, bringing together global leaders in space, climate, policy, and finance to accelerate solutions for climate resilience.
The conference, organized in partnership with the Rwanda Space Agency (RSA), will focus on the theme “Uniting Space and Earth for Climate Resilience,” highlighting the critical role of space-based data, technologies, and services in climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, sustainable development, and green finance.
GLOC 2026 builds on the outcomes of the inaugural conference held in Oslo in 2023 and aims to provide updates on global progress, showcase concrete use cases, and encourage international collaboration to turn satellite data into actionable climate solutions.
Participants are expected to include Heads of State, government ministers, senior space agency officials, industry leaders, development partners, investors, scientists, astronauts, innovators, major financial institutions, and representatives of civil society.
The conference will commence with a High-Level Opening Ceremony and the inauguration of the exhibition, followed by a Plenary Programme featuring panel discussions addressing strategic priorities where space, climate policy, technology, and finance intersect.
Topics include democratizing space data for global access and impact, building responsible AI systems for space applications, and exploring how space data can power green investment and climate finance initiatives.
The broader technical programme will cover climate adaptation and resilience, greenhouse gas monitoring and impact assessment, big data, AI, machine learning, digital innovation, green energy solutions, service development and data access, disaster risk reduction and emergency management, good governance, climate policy, and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
The call for abstracts for the technical programme drew an exceptional response, with 318 submissions from 59 countries reviewed by the largest International Programme Committee (IPC) in GLOC history, comprising 118 experts from the space, climate, and policy communities.
Selected presenters will have the opportunity to participate in the prestigious IP Competition, recognizing outstanding contributions to space-enabled climate action.
Rwanda’s role as host reflects its growing leadership in science, innovation, and sustainability, with space-based data already supporting precision agriculture, soil conservation, crop diversification, and early pest and disease detection.
The country has achieved 97 percent nationwide 4G LTE coverage, providing a strong foundation for data-driven climate services, while Kigali is recognized as one of Africa’s cleanest and safest cities.
The conference will also highlight Rwanda’s natural and cultural assets, including Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park, and Lake Kivu, demonstrating the intersection of environmental stewardship, sustainable tourism, and biodiversity conservation.
GLOC 2026 aims to catalyze partnerships, investment, and practical action, emphasizing that space is now a shared global infrastructure essential for climate resilience.
Early registration is open until 30 March 2026, offering participants the opportunity to engage with the global space community in Kigali and contribute to a climate-resilient future.
The event reinforces the importance of leveraging policy, technology, and environmental responsibility to address climate challenges and build sustainable solutions for communities worldwide.
By uniting stakeholders from space, finance, and climate sectors, GLOC 2026 seeks to ensure that satellite data translates into measurable impact and tangible benefits for vulnerable regions and global populations.
