Albania is set to become the 73rd country to sign the Artemis Accords, an international initiative led by NASA and the U.S. Department of State aimed at strengthening cooperation in the peaceful exploration of space.
The signing ceremony will take place on Monday, September 21, at 12:00 p.m. EDT at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, is expected to attend alongside the country’s ambassador to the United States, Ervin Bushati. The ceremony will be led by NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson, with U.S. State Department officials also in attendance.
The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 during Donald Trump’s first administration, with the United States and seven other countries becoming the founding signatories.
The initiative was launched amid growing global interest in lunar exploration and other space activities involving both governments and private companies.
The accords establish a set of principles for civil space exploration, promoting safety, transparency, peaceful activity and international coordination on missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
By signing the accords, Albania will join a growing international coalition committed to cooperation in the exploration and peaceful use of outer space.
The ceremony will be held in person at NASA headquarters, with members of the media required to confirm their attendance with NASA by 10:00 a.m. on September 21.
