30 June 2025
Defence hosted representatives from nine other like-minded nations in Canberra from June 23-27 to progress international cooperation on responsible behaviour in space.
Participants from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States attended the Combined Space Operations (CSpO) Initiative Policy and Legal Working Group (PLWG) meeting to strengthen shared understanding of strategic communications, barriers and opportunities for information sharing.
Deputy Director of Information, Communications and Engagement, Commander Chris Robson, said space-derived weather forecasts, communication, navigation and timing critically underpinned modern society, mining, agriculture, humanitarian operations and national defence.
'CSpO partners are building interoperable, agile and resilient capabilities to secure our collective access to space.'
“This initiative brings together partner nations who share a commitment to transparency and collaboration to ensure shared prosperity and security in space,” Commander Robson said.
“Together, the CSpO partners are building interoperable, agile and resilient capabilities to secure our collective access to space.
“CSpO partner nations’ continued cooperation regarding responsible behaviours in space aims to reduce misperception, prevent conflict, and instead promote a secure, stable and safe space domain.”
He said as the space domain became increasingly congested, contested and competitive, the PLWG was a critical mechanism for trust-building and operational alignment among trusted partners.
By continuing to develop legal, policy, and operational frameworks, the CSpO Initiative ensured its members remained agile and prepared to address the growing complexity of the space landscape.
