U.S.-France Comprehensive Space Dialogue Includes Industry Engagement

On November 9-10, the Governments of the United States and France convened the inaugural meeting of the U.S.-France Comprehensive Dialogue on Space in Paris, France.

The dialogue, co-chaired by the White House on the U.S. side, sought to strengthen bilateral cooperation across all sectors of space — civil, commercial, and national security — from a whole-of-government perspective.

View joint statement at state.gov

To inform the government-to-government discussions, the Office of Space Commerce helped organize a “Track 1.5” session involving industry and government representatives from both the United States and France. The session, held November 9, provided an opportunity for U.S. companies to engage with their French counterparts in a day-long discussion of practical challenges of doing business in each other’s respective countries.

U.S. and French industries presented and shared best practices, which revealed the need for governments to create free and fair market competition by updating and harmonizing space policies, regulations, and other measures that govern commercial activities worldwide.

Government and industry participants in the Track 1.5 session acknowledged the shared desire to create a safe and transparent environment for commercial activities in outer space, including evolving and emerging space activities, by clarifying government and private sector roles and responsibilities and supporting a timely and responsive regulatory environment.

The Office of Space Commerce expresses its appreciation to the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales (GIFAS) for facilitating the Track 1.5 session.