Bangladesh has officially become the 54th signatory of the Artemis Accords, a global initiative led by NASA to promote peaceful and civilian exploration of outer space.
The Artemis Accords, established in October 2020, are a series of non-binding multilateral agreements that aim to ensure transparency, sustainability, and peaceful collaboration in space activities. The accords are grounded in the principles of the Outer Space Treaty, the Registration Convention, and the Astronaut Rescue Agreement.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), and Tracey Ann Jacobson, Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka. The agreement was formally signed by Bangladesh's Defence Secretary, Md. Ashraf Uddin.
With this move, Bangladesh commits to responsible behavior in space, aligning with global efforts to preserve space heritage and utilize space resources sustainably. This participation is consistent with the country’s national development goals and ambitions in science and technology.
Chaudhury Ashik stated that the signing marks the beginning of a new chapter in space cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States. He emphasized that the agreement will further accelerate Bangladesh’s own space research and development initiatives.
Defence Secretary Ashraf Uddin noted that the Artemis Accords serve as a comprehensive guideline for peaceful and safe use of outer space. He highlighted that Bangladesh, through the establishment of SPARRSO (Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization) in 1980, has long followed international standards in space science.
He added that by joining the Artemis Accords, Bangladesh joins a prestigious group of nations committed to transparency and accountability in space activities. As of January 21, 2025, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, India, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and many countries from Europe and Latin America have signed the agreement.
The Defence Secretary stated that the accord opens doors for technology transfer, scientific collaboration, and economic cooperation. It also paves the way for enhanced partnerships between NASA and SPARRSO, contributing to the advancement of Bangladesh’s space program.
He further noted that collaboration with NASA and other space agencies will enable Bangladesh to access advanced satellite technologies and research opportunities, strengthening the country’s capability in future space missions.
Ashraf Uddin emphasized that institutions like SPARRSO will benefit from technical support in developing Earth observation and climate-monitoring satellites, which will be crucial in managing natural disasters such as floods and cyclones.
He also mentioned that Bangladeshi universities and scientists will now have opportunities to participate in joint research with global space institutions. Students will benefit from access to NASA’s training programs, scholarships, and exchange initiatives.
Also present at the signing event were AFM Zahid-ul-Islam, Director General of the North America Wing and Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Md. Rashedul Islam, Chairman of SPARRSO.
