NASA Welcomes Uzbekistan as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory

A Historic Signing Ceremony in Samarkand

The Republic of Uzbekistan has formally joined the Artemis Accords, an international framework guiding peaceful, safe, and sustainable space exploration. During an official ceremony held in Samarkand on Monday, Uzbekistan became the 77th signatory to the accords. NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson attended the event, highlighting the significance of Central Asia's expanding participation in international civil space initiatives.

Principles of Transparency and Civil Space Exploration

The Artemis Accords are grounded in key operational principles, including transparency, interoperability, emergency assistance, scientific data sharing, and the preservation of outer space heritage. Addressing the ceremony, NASA officials underscored that Uzbekistan's accession arrives at a pivotal moment for civil space exploration, cementing practical standards for avoiding conflict and promoting open research as missions advance toward the Moon and Mars.

Expanding the Global Coalition for Deep Space

Uzbekistan's commitment expands the diplomatic and operational coalition supporting long-term lunar exploration under the Artemis campaign. As the list of signatories grows, the accords reinforce multilateral norms, ensuring that emerging national space programs can integrate effectively into broader international scientific collaborations and exploration initiatives.