Global Space Connectivity and Sustainability Event 2026
About the event
The Global Space Connectivity and Sustainability Event brings two forums together under a single umbrella for their third editions — the Connecting the World from the Skies forum on non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and the Space Sustainability Forum (SSF) — at the headquarters of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission in the Al Nakheel district of Riyadh, from 12 to 14 October 2026, daily from 11:00 to 19:00, under the theme “Connected World, Sustainable Space” and in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
Eight themes shape the programme: integrated connectivity for the 6G era, paving the way to WRC-27, unlocking the potential of direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, space economies and emerging markets, space as critical infrastructure, space-enabled sustainability on Earth, global governance and responsible behaviour in space, and managing orbital congestion while mitigating interference and preventing debris. It convenes national and international regulators from the telecommunications and space sectors, equipment manufacturers, space service providers, and leading global researchers and technology specialists, and it also announces the winners of the global NTN 2026 research competition run with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
No attendance fee has been announced, and registration is made in advance through a form published on the event page. Practical guidance accompanies the event for delegates travelling from abroad: mid-October days reach around 35°C with fully air-conditioned halls, the Kingdom keeps Arabia Standard Time (UTC+3) all year with no daylight saving, Arabic is the official language while English is widely used in airports, hotels and shopping centres, business-formal or national dress is preferred in sessions with modest attire in public areas, and mains power is 230 V at 60 Hz with Type G sockets. Pre-paid 5G SIM cards are sold around the clock at King Khalid International Airport.