The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the Rwanda Space Agency (RSA) have announced that the second IAF Global Space Conference on Climate Change (GLOC 2026) will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 2–4 June 2026.
The event, hosted at the Kigali Convention Centre under the theme “Uniting Space and Earth for Climate Resilience”, will be the first time the conference is held in Africa.
According to the organisers, the conference is expected to draw participants including heads of state, ministers, senior officials from major space agencies, industry representatives, development partners, investors, scientists, astronauts and civil society groups. The conference is scheduled to open with a high-level ceremony and an exhibition.
The announcement comes as governments and industry increasingly rely on Earth observation and climate data systems to support climate-related decision-making. The organisers said GLOC 2026 is intended as a forum to share knowledge, showcase space-enabled monitoring and environmental technologies, and build international partnerships aimed at scaling climate resilience solutions.
“We are proud to host this important conversation in Kigali. GLOC 2026 offers a platform for both policy and scientific discussions on how space technology can address climate change. Our continent faces some of the most acute climate pressures on Earth, and the space sector has a direct role to play in developing monitoring, prediction, and resilience tools communities need,” said Gaspard Twagirayezu, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Space Agency.
The organisers said the Kigali hosting reflects Rwanda’s focus on science and technology as tools to address challenges including climate change, and that the conference will also aim to elevate African perspectives in global discussions about space and climate policy.
“Bringing GLOC to Africa for the first time is a powerful statement about the global collaboration in the space sector. Climate challenges do not respect borders, and neither should the solutions. Africa’s space community brings perspectives and priorities that will make this conference stronger,” said Gabriella Arrigo, President of the International Astronautical Federation.
The three-day programme is expected to include panels, technical sessions, exhibitions and networking across topics including space-based climate monitoring, Earth observation, sustainability, policy innovation and international cooperation.
Registration information is available at gloc2026.org. The organisers said reduced registration rates will be offered for African nationals and African students.
