ESPI - European Space Policy Institute

Austrian Presidency

In 2023, the Austrian Parliament has the honor of chairing the European Interparliamentary Space Conference (EISC) under the theme "Space to support the green transition in an evolving space economy".

Chairpersons of EISC 2023:

Therese NISS, , Constituency 9, Vienna, EISC-Delegation leader; Member of the Research, Innovation and Digitalisation Committee; and the Education Committee

Christian HAFENECKER, elected for Constituency Mid Lower Austria, Member of the Science Committee; the Subcommittee for Development Policy of the Foreign Policy Committee; and the Deputy Chairman in the Subcommittee for Development Policy of the Foreign Policy Committee

Petra OBERRAUNER, Constituency 2, Carinthia, Member in the Permanent Subcommittee for the Court of Auditors, in the Research, Innovation and Digitalisation Committee; in the Science Committee; the Economy, Industry and Energy Committee; and the Equal Treatment Committee Deputy Chairman in the Research, Innovation and Digitalisation Committee

Hermann WERATSCHNIG, Constituency 7, Tyrolia, Member in the Petitions and Citizens´ Initiatives Committee; in the Subcommittee for South Tyrolia of the Foreign Policy Committee; the Culture Committee; and the Traffic Committee. Deputy Chairman in the Traffic Committee

Douglas HOYOS-TRAUTMANNSDORFF, Federal Election List Proposal , Member of the Court of Auditors Committee; the Defence Committee; the Interior Policy Committee

Dear Members of Parliament, Dear colleagues,

The Austrian Parliament has the great pleasure of chairing the European Interparliamentary Space Conference (EISC) for 2023.

Having become a full member of EISC in 2020, the Austrian Parliament feels very honoured to hold the chair in the EISC family for the first time. As we follow in the footsteps of major EISC players as chairs, we will take every effort to facilitate discussion and exchange amongst EISC members and observers on topics that are connected to the environmental focus of our predecessors, i.e. space to support the green transition in an evolving space economy.

As such, we invite you to participate in a workshop in Vienna from Wednesday, 19, to Thursday, 20 April 2023, on the topic of “Space-based data to support the green transition; from the upstream to the downstream space economy”. Incorporating excursions to nearby vicinities, the workshop agenda includes visits to the Conrad Observatory, an institution in the framework of ZAMG, to the Austrian Geophysical Service, which specialises in climate research and the collection and analysis of space data, and to the company “ENPULSION”, a world market leader in propulsion technology.

We also look forward to your participation in the EISC Plenary Meeting that will take place in Vienna in autumn. Further details will be announced in due time.

By highlighting the performance of space research and the space economy of institutions and industry in EISC Member States and on the level of the European Union in monitoring and adapting to the effects of climate change, and in the application of space data into everyday life, we hope to contribute to enhancing interest in European space activities among the broader public.

We look forward to welcoming you in Vienna and to working with you on the topics of the support of the green transition in an evolving European space economy.

The topic of the Presidency

Space to support the green transition in an evolving space economy

Plenary Session

The Plenary Session of EISC took place on September 24-25th, 2023 at the Austrian Parliament in Vienna, Austria

European Space Policy Institute 20th Anniversary Event

On the same day as the EISC Plenary Session, the anniversary event celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the European Space Policy Institute took place, focusing on the general context of ESPI’s creation, development, and future ambition.

Find information about previous presidencies

Find information about previous presidencies

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