The International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) successfully hosted a Symposium entitled “Satellite Developments Shaping Connectivity – An ITSO Perspective” on September 29, 2026, as a pre-event to the Forty-Second Meeting of the Assembly of Parties (AP-42).
The Symposium brought together Member States, speakers from the ITSO regions, and industry experts from SES to discuss key developments shaping the future of satellite communications, connectivity, access, affordability, resilience, and public policy.
The Symposium was opened by the Director General and moderated by Mr. Elliot Sibeko, Director of Space & Satellite Communications, Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, South Africa.
The first session, “The Big Picture — Where Is the Satellite Sector Heading?”, provided a global perspective on the rapid transformation taking place across the satellite ecosystem, including new constellations, technological innovation, evolving market dynamics, and regulatory developments. Presentations were delivered by Mr. Nihar Shah, Chief Strategy Officer, SES, and Mr. Mario Maniewicz, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau.
The second session, a panel entitled “Voices from the Regions — National Perspectives,” brought together representatives from the five ITU regions to discuss national priorities in satellite communications, expanding access and affordability, strengthening resilience, spectrum management, and regulatory and policy challenges.
The five panelists were:
- Luiza Maria Thomazoni Loyola Giacomin, Advisor to the Commissioner, ANATEL, Brazil;
- Veli Yanikgönül, Director, Satellite Spectrum and Operations, Türksat, Türkiye;
- Sitara Mehdiyeva, Head of Spectrum Management Division, Azercosmos, Azerbaijan;
- Abraham S. Oshadami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Nigerian Communications Commission, Nigeria; and
- Nedal Alsamara, Radio Spectrum Management Director, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Jordan.
The final session, “Industry in Focus — SES Solutions for ITSO Parties on a Changing Connectivity Landscape,” featured a presentation by Mr. Michael DeMarco, President, Aero Vertical, SES.
The Symposium program and speakers’ profiles can be found below. Please note that all Symposium materials are available in English only.
The Director General is pleased to share the recording of the Symposium, available at the following link:
; as well as the presentation slides, to allow officials who were unable to attend the event to benefit from the discussions.
Symposium Presentations:
The Symposium Program was as follows:
