Uzbekistan joins Artemis Accords on peaceful space exploration

13:322011 min

Uzbekistan has joined the Artemis Accords, an international framework for peaceful space exploration, becoming the 77th country to sign the agreement.

Photo: NASA

Uzbekistan joins Artemis Accords on peaceful space exploration — Photo: NASA

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov signed the accords following bilateral talks.

The accords set out principles for international cooperation in the peaceful exploration and use of the Moon, Mars, comets, asteroids and other celestial bodies.

Saidov said the agreement would open up opportunities for Uzbekistan to expand cooperation with NASA and the space agencies of other signatory countries, train national specialists and gain access to space technologies.

Developed by NASA and the US Department of State, the Artemis Accords were introduced in 2020. Eight countries initially signed the document, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.