Organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) in partnership with the Rwanda Space Agency (RSA), the conference will take place in Kigali from June 2 to 4, 2026.
Held under the theme "Uniting Space and Earth for Climate Resilience," GLOC 2026 aims to foster global dialogue on how space-based solutions can help address the pressing challenges of climate change.
The event will provide a platform for discussions on programmatic, technical, and policy issues related to climate adaptation, sustainability, and resilience.
The conference is expected to attract participants from around the world, including representatives from space agencies, governments, academia, private industry, non-governmental organisations, and institutions involved in climate-related work.
By bridging the space and climate communities, GLOC 2026 will facilitate knowledge sharing, innovation, and collaboration aimed at advancing global climate goals.
Among the key topics to be discussed are climate adaptation and resilience, greenhouse gas monitoring, the use of artificial intelligence for climate solutions, disaster and emergency management, access to space-based data and services, and the role of policy and governance in achieving climate targets.
The conference will also address investment opportunities in climate technologies, as well as education, outreach, and international cooperation.
As part of the lead-up to the event, the IAF has launched a call for abstracts, encouraging researchers, professionals, and institutions to submit proposals for presentation. Selected abstracts will be featured in interactive sessions during the conference.
Submissions are open until November 7, 2025, with further details available on the official GLOC 2026 website at www.gloc2026.org.
GLOC 2026 follows the inaugural edition of the conference, which was held in Oslo, Norway, from May 23 to 25, 2023. The event, themed 'Fire and Ice â€" Space for Climate Action,' brought together over 600 participants from 45 countries and laid the foundation for an ongoing series of global conversations on space and climate change.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-to-host-global-space-conference-on-climate-change-in-2026
