Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam presented a vision that places the country at the center of a new initiative called the Space for Development and Resilience network. Speaking at the International Summit on Outer Space in Paris, he outlined a plan to connect Vietnam, France, the United Nations, ASEAN, and research partners in a collaborative framework designed to harness spatial data for development, strengthen safe and sustainable space practices, and build bridges between research, training, business, and investment. The network is expected to begin in Southeast Asia with Vietnam positioned as the hub of connection.

The message emphasized that while space offers vast horizons, the true measure of progress lies in the values delivered to people and to Earth. Vietnam expressed readiness to translate the outcomes of the summit into tangible actions that benefit present and future generations.

The country has identified aerospace technology as a strategic priority, focusing on three directions: enhancing autonomy in space technology and data, building a space economy ecosystem supported by financial models that serve public interests, and strengthening institutions and capacity for managing space activities in line with international law.

Space was described as an increasingly essential part of modern life and the economy, with satellites, remote sensing, positioning, and space data supporting communications, transportation, resource management, disaster prevention, and climate change response. Yet the rapid expansion of space activities also brings challenges such as waste, collisions, orbital congestion, frequency disputes, militarization, ownership conflicts, technological gaps, and the growing influence of private enterprises.

The call was made for a multilateral governance framework that ensures space remains peaceful, safe, sustainable, and accessible. Vietnam highlighted five principles for such governance. Space must be preserved for peaceful purposes through dialogue, trust-building, conflict prevention, and avoidance of force. Human development on Earth must remain central, with priority given to disaster warning, climate monitoring, resource management, and the Sustainable Development Goals. International law and the UN Charter must be respected, with the United Nations and COPUOS at the core of governance and the ITU reinforcing its role. Equality among nations in accessing and benefiting from research and technology must be guaranteed. Finally, responsible, transparent, and sustainable use of space must be practiced to reduce waste and collision risks.