The Communications, Space and Technology Commission, in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is organizing the Global Space Connectivity and Sustainability Events in Riyadh from October 12 to 14, under the slogan “A Connected World and Sustainable Space”. The event brings together the International Forum on Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) and the Space Sustainability Forum (SSF) in their third editions under one umbrella, reflecting the trend towards unifying international efforts that support innovation in the field of non-terrestrial networks and space sustainability.

The event aims to discuss international trends for the future of space communications, enhance the integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, review regulatory and technical developments for non-terrestrial networks and their applications in expanding connectivity opportunities and bridging the digital divide globally, as well as highlight space sustainability and the conscious use of space resources through the exchange of expertise and various international best practices.

The event will see the participation of a number of regulatory bodies for the space and space communications sector at the national and international levels, along with representatives of device manufacturers, space service providers, and a selection of global technology experts and researchers.

The global event will discuss eight main themes: integrated communications for the 6G era, paving the way for the WRC-27 conference, opening prospects for direct-to-device (D2D) space communications, the space economy and its emerging markets. Other themes will address the role of space as a key infrastructure, harnessing space for Earth's sustainability, strengthening international governance and the conscious use of space resources, and managing orbital congestion to avoid space debris and radio interference.

The event will include a review of the results of key technical experiments in the field of non-terrestrial networks, the announcement of winners of the global research competition “Non-Terrestrial Networks 2026” launched by the Commission in cooperation with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and discussions on the most prominent services provided via non-terrestrial networks and their regulatory and scientific aspects, through panel sessions and specialized presentations.