Over 8,000 Experts Attend CST’s 2026 Global Connectivity, Space Sustainability Event
The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) concluded the 2026 Global Connectivity and Space Sustainability Event in Riyadh. Held from October 12 to 14 under the theme “A Connected World and Sustainable Space,” the event brought together more than 8,000 experts, specialists, and officials.
CST organized the event in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), under the patronage of Minister of Communications and Information Technology and CST Chairman of the Board of Directors, Eng. Abdullah Alswaha. The exceptional edition combined the International Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) Forum and the Space Sustainability Forum (SSF) under one platform.
The event featured 115 speakers, including officials, experts, and decision-makers from the communications and space sectors around the world, across 33 sessions and presentations. Participants included representatives of regulatory bodies, manufacturers, satellite service providers, and research and academic institutions.
International Cooperation, 6G Integration
Discussions focused on international cooperation to connect unconnected communities, address challenges, and exchange expertise on the latest solutions. Speakers emphasized the importance of international coordination to ensure space sustainability and reduce space debris.
Sessions on the NTN track explored the integration of satellites with 6G networks, direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, spectrum policies, preparations for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27), and high-altitude platform stations (HAPS).
The space sustainability track examined the value of the space economy, orbital sustainability, congestion management, and space debris mitigation. It also addressed legal frameworks, international space law, responsible space governance, lunar communications, and deep space.
Global Research Competition Winners
During the event, CST announced the winners of the third edition of the 2026 Global NTN Research Competition, launched in collaboration with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The competition received 81 scientific papers from 280 researchers and academics, evaluated by more than 40 reviewers.
First place went to a paper titled “Affordable Connectivity from the Sky: A Subsidy-Aware Pricing Framework for Satellite Services Under Public Budget Constraints.”
Second place was awarded to a paper on “Commercial Aircraft as Sustainable Relay Stations for Direct-to-Device Satellite Access,” while third place went to “AI-Enabled Multi-Layer Non-Terrestrial Networks for Rapid Target Detection in Desert Search and Rescue Operations.”
SpaceUp Competition Results
CST and the Saudi Space Agency also announced the winners of the global SpaceUp competition tracks. The competition attracted more than 690 entries from over 50 countries and contributed to localizing more than 40 companies in the Kingdom.
The winners were Saudi Arabia’s SARSATX, Jordan’s Smart Orbits, and Australia’s Orbital Universe, in recognition of their innovative satellite-data-based technological solutions.
Capacity Building, Technology Showcases
The CST Academy for Digital Regulations, in partnership with the ITU, held a specialized session on satellite communications and satellite regulation. The session brought together 44 participants from 19 countries and aimed to build technical and regulatory capacity among member states and stakeholders in satellite communications, spectrum and orbit management, and non-terrestrial networks.
Several global and local technology companies presented practical applications during the event. Aramco Digital showcased how satellite connectivity can enable critical communications services in remote areas, while ATON presented solutions for monitoring and tracking space objects and debris using ground-based telescopes and analytical software.
Arabsat highlighted the role of satellites in enabling NTN through dynamic adjustments to coverage and capacity. Neo Space Group (NSG) presented space-based Internet of Things solutions that convert asset data in remote areas into actionable insights, supporting critical operations, asset management, and sustainability in challenging operating environments across the Kingdom. Project-S also presented an integrated solution for addressing space debris through space-based radar detection and AI-enabled autonomous collision avoidance.
The CST headquarters, which hosted the event, also featured an interactive exhibition showcasing leading solutions and innovations presented by researchers, entrepreneurs, and startups in non-terrestrial networks and space-based technologies.
The event was supported by stc as Digital Enabler, Neo Space Group as Supporting Sponsor, and the Saudi Space Agency as Scientific Sponsor. Its organization in Riyadh reflects the Kingdom’s efforts to support international dialogue on the future of space connectivity and space sustainability, and to foster innovation in the sector.
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