European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe must strengthen its space capabilities as the sector becomes increasingly important for economic growth, technological innovation and security, speaking at the International Space Summit in Paris on Thursday (10 Sep).
She said “space is entering a new age”, pointing to renewed lunar exploration, more capable satellites and advances in artificial intelligence. Von der Leyen added that the global space economy is expected to grow from around USD630 billion today to USD1.8 trillion by 2035.
Highlighting the strategic importance of space infrastructure, she said “our security on Earth increasingly depends on our security in space.”
Referring to the Russia-Ukraine war, she said satellite communications and imagery have become critical for modern defence, while warning that navigation signal jamming, cyberattacks on satellite networks and drone activity demonstrate how events in orbit are increasingly shaping security on Earth.
The International Space Summit in Paris brought together heads of state and government, international organisations, scientists, military representatives and private sector leaders to discuss the future of space cooperation, innovation and security.
Hosted by France on 9–10 September 2026, the summit reflects the growing geopolitical importance of space as countries seek to strengthen technological capabilities, protect critical infrastructure and establish frameworks for responsible use of orbit.
With satellites increasingly central to communications, navigation, defence and economic activity, the discussions highlighted how competition and cooperation in space are becoming key elements of global strategic affairs.
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