Tentative Programme

With over three decades of leadership experience in global telecommunications policy, Ms. Bogdan-Martin has emphasized the need for digital transformation to achieve economic prosperity, job creation, skills development, gender equality, and socio-economic inclusion, as well as to build circular economies, reduce climate impact, and save lives. Her historic election by ITU Member States in S​eptember 2022 made her the first woman ever to head the nearly 160-year-old organization. Known for mobilizing innovative partnerships, she aims to promote meaningful connectivity, intensify cooperation to connect the unconnected, and strengthen the alignment of digital technologies with inclusive sustainable development.​​ <a href="https://www.itu.int/en/osg/Pages/biography-itu-sg-doreen.aspx" target="_blank">​​​Full biography</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtHJvm_2RPU" target="_blank">​Video i​nterview</a>

Mr. Mario Maniewicz was elected Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau at the <a href="https://www.itu.int/web/pp-18/en">ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2018</a> in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He took office on 1 January 2019. Mario Maniewicz is an electronic engineer specialized in telecommunications. He has been with the ITU for over 30 years, where he has served in high-level management positions in the Radiocommunication and Development Sectors as well as in ITU Regional Offices. As Director, Mr. Maniewicz is responsible for the management of the Radiocommunication Bureau, which organizes and co-ordinates the work of the Radiocommunication Sector whose aim is to ensure the rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.​

Professor Celeste Saulo was appointed as the first female and South American Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) by the Nineteenth World Meteorological Congress (Cg-19). Her four-year term began on 1 January 2024. Prior to this, she served as the Director of the National Meteorological Service of Argentina since 2014 and was the First Vice-President of the WMO. Professor Celeste Saulo has been the Director of the Argentinean National Meteorological Service (SMN) and Permanent Representative of Argentina at WMO since July 2014. She was elected to the WMO Executive Council in June 2015. She has been a member of the WMO World Weather Research Programme (WWRP) Scientific Steering Committee since 2011 and has served on various WMO panels related to her field of knowledge. She is full professor at the University of Buenos Aires and research scientist at the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research. As the Director of the Argentinean National Meteorological Service, she has pursued its modernization based of the three axes:  enhancement of monitoring, of quality of forecasts and of communications with society. Thus, she has given rise to interinstitutional and interdisciplinary effort and dedication to contribute to the commitments made by the country with regards to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sendai Framework. Under her direction, the Argentinean National Meteorological Service has been a venue for various capacity development activities for Meteorological and Hydrological Services of developing countries, with a specific focus on training in accordance with the country’s role of Regional Training Centre. Her intervention in regional and international activities is extensive, mainly oriented towards capacity building at the regional level and to the inclusion and integration of the younger generations of scientists in all relevant areas. A proof of that is the creation of the WMO YESS (Young Earth System Scientists) Office at the Argentinean National Meteorological Service. <a href="https://wmo.int/profile/celeste-saulo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-type="link" data-id="https://wmo.int/profile/celeste-saulo">Full biography</a>

Aarti Holla-Maini is the Director of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), having taken up post on 18^th September 2023 following her appointment by United Nations SecretaryGeneral António Guterres. Ms. Holla-Maini brings over 25 years of experience in the space and satellite sector, working predominantly with international organizations and regulators. Prior to the United Nations, she held the post of Secretary-General of the Global Satellite Operators Association. Ms. Holla-Maini is a recognized leader with a strong track record in forging public-private and cross-sector partnerships; high-level advocacy at the international level; strategic communication and managing diverse stakeholders. Under her leadership, Ms. Holla-Maini expanded the association from being a regional organization to a global one representing commercial satellite operators around the world. She was one of the chief architects of the Crisis Connectivity Charter established in 2015 for emergency telecommunications via satellite with the UN World Food Programme’s Emergency Telecommunications Cluster and has, on multiple occasions, secured recognition and policy support for space technologies to play their rightful role in connecting the unconnected, in Europe, Africa and beyond. The appointment of Ms. Holla-Maini comes at a time when activities in space are being increasingly driven by the private sector. Her deep experience in high-level advocacy with international organizations and regulators, along with her understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing the space sector, will serve Member States well as they seek to access and leverage the benefits of space to accelerate sustainable development. Ms. Holla-Maini’s experience has included service as a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Space; member of the Advisory Group of the Space Sustainability Rating managed by eSpace at EPFL Space Center; member of the Advisory Board of the Satellite Industry Association of India; Senior Space Policy Advisor to Forum Europe and an Expert Advisor on Space Traffic Management for European Union studies 2021-2023. Since October 2024 Ms. HollaMaini is a member of the International Academy of Astronautics. Ms. Holla-Maini holds a bachelor’s degree in law with German law from Kings College London and a master’s degree in business administration from HEC in France. She is fluent in French, German and Punjabi alongside her native English and has moderate knowledge of Dutch. <br>

Executive and Technical Director of National Commission of Space Activities (CONAE) of Argentina since June 2018. He is an Aeronautical Engineer graduated from the National University of La Plata (UNLP) and holds a Master in Materials Science and Technology from the Sábato Institute of the University of San Martín (UNSAM). He is a specialist in Vibration Analysis, holds a Diploma in Integral Quality Management and is a Certified Quality Engineer (CQE). In his professional career he has carried out technological projects for the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), as head of Instrumentation and Operations of the Group of Studies and Tests of Structural Components – ENDE Activity Unit. He was also Deputy Head of the Sub-Project “Antenna Radar of Synthetic Aperture” (ARAS) in the framework CNEA-CONAE Agreement for the development and manufacture of the structure and mechanisms of the SAR radar antenna of the SAOCOM Project, Earth observation satellites with microwave radar of CONAE. Within the private sector he worked in I.D. ENGINEERING S.A. as leader of the Working Group in services for companies such as Pirelli S.A.; Massuh S.A.; SIAT (Tenaris Group). In the space area he has developed specific projects for CONAE, as Head of the Flight Segment of the SAOCOM Project, Project Manager of the SARE 2A Project (segmented architecture satellites) and Head of the Payload development for the Technological version of the Tronador II Vehicle, the Argentine satellite launcher project.

Isabelle Mauro is Director General of the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) that represents the interests of the satellite industry ecosystem. Under Isabelle’s leadership, GSOA and its member CEOs lead the effort to showcase the benefits of satellite communications for a more inclusive, sustainable and secure society – vital to bridging the world’s digital divide, achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and realizing the full potential of the 5G & 6G ecosystem. Isabelle has 25 years’ experience in the Telecoms and Technology sector, starting at the GSMA, where she was responsible for International & External Affairs for fifteen years. In 2015 she moved to New York to join the World Economic Forum as Head of the Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Industry, managing the portfolio of over 60 Tech companies globally and leading initiatives on inclusive and sustainable digital transformation. Isabelle is passionate about inclusion and sustainability. She is a Commissioner of the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. Isabelle is also Member of the Advisory Board of Access Partnership and of the High-Level Advisory Board of the DigitalGoesGreen Foundation. She also sits on the Advisory Board of Women in Tech. Isabelle holds an MSc in European Politics and Policy from the London School of Economics. She is fluent in French, English, Italian and Spanish.

Janice Starzyk is the Deputy Director of the Office of Space Commerce, a Senior Executive Service position. Previously, she led Virgin Orbit’s Washington, DC, office and government operations. Her extensive experience and contributions in the space industry include leading the consulting practice at Bryce Space and Technology and more than a decade leading the commercial strategy and market intelligence for launch service providers International Launch Services (ILS) and United Launch Alliance (ULA). At Futron Corporation, Ms. Starzyk worked with a range of civil, military and commercial space industry customers. She received her Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. She holds a Master of Arts in economics and international relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and a dual-degree Global MBA from Tulane University and Universidad Icesi in Cali, Colombia. For more than a decade, Ms. Starzyk has also provided community leadership and support to local STEM education programs through the Washington Space Business Roundtable. She was appointed to serve as an industry representative on the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee in 2022.

Torsten Kriening is the Publisher and CEO of SpaceWatch.Global, an independent platform for space activities in a geopolitical context. A seasoned business executive with academic and professional experience in space management, satellite communications, and broadcast technology, Torsten holds an electrical and telecommunications engineering background and pursued information technology and computer science at the Technical College Berlin. His career trajectory commenced with software development, transitioning to sales management and business development roles at esteemed organizations such as 3Com, Lucent Digital Video, SES Astra, Bertelsmann, and PTScientists – dreaming Moonshot. As a proud Berliner with a global perspective, Torsten further broadened his horizons by attending the International Space University (ISU) and obtaining an Executive MBA. Torsten’s contributions extend to the creation of widely recognized space outreach formats, including the Space Café talk series and the Space Café Podcast. <strong>SpaceWatch.Global description:</strong> <i>SpaceWatch.Global</i> is a digital magazine and portal for those interested in space and the far-reaching impact that space developments have. While showcasing the technology that enables the industry to edge closer to the next frontier, <i>SpaceWatch.Global</i> also provides analysis, forecasts and insight into the geopolitical implications of space developments. From space policy, exploration and missions to space weapons and technology, we provide a complete perspective on the global space sector. The team behind <i>SpaceWatch.Global </i>comprises a dynamic mix of space geeks, tech junkies, space policy experts, regional space specialists and passionate writers. We fully believe that space should be used for humanity; that it enables knowledge and enriches societies. <i>SpaceWatch.Global</i> is published by SpaceWatch.Global GmbH, headquartered in Berlin, the Capital city of Germany. In the true european spirit from the heart of Europe, neutrality, ethics and integrity are at our core. <i>SpaceWatch.Global </i>abides by the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics; we seek truth and report it.

Professor Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl is since 2016 the President of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL), the global association of space lawyers in governments, agencies, academia and private practice from more than 50 countries. He served from 2014 to 2016 as Chair of the Legal Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS). Kai-Uwe Schrogl works in the European Space Agency (ESA) as the Special Advisor for Political Affairs, He has written or co-edited 20 books and more than 140 articles, reports and papers in the fields of space policy and law.

Dr. Josef Koller is the Principal for Space Safety and Sustainability at Amazon, Project Kuiper, a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite broadband network with the mission to provide affordable broadband connectivity to underserved communities around the world. Using his decade-long expertise in space sustainability, Koller leads Amazon’s efforts to promote space safety policies, in the U.S. and around the globe, in support of the sustainable development of satellite operations in space. Prior to Amazon, Koller served Systems Director for the Center for Space Policy and Strategy at The Aerospace Corporation and co-founder of the Space Safety Institute. He was also assigned as a senior advisor to the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, where he directly supported key national and international strategy efforts for space-related U.S. government and policy matters. His portfolio included commercial remote sensing, space traffic management, and related congressional affairs. Prior to that assignment, Koller managed and co-led more than 40 scientists in the Space Science and Applications Group at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He also established and led the Los Alamos Space Weather Summer School to promote graduate student research and outreach at the laboratory. Koller has more than 25 years of experience in space sustainability, space science, space policy, astrophysics, and strategy development. He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed scientific publications with over 1,800 citations. He is also on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Space Safety Engineering and has been quoted in a variety of media outlets including NBC News, New York Times, NPR Marketplace, Les Echos, SpaceNews, and Popular Science. Education Koller has a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Rice University and Master’s degrees in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Innsbruck, Austria.

Ms. CHEN Jing is the Senior Director of the Spectrum and Orbit Resources Center of China Satellite Network Group Co. Ltd. She has 25 years of professional experience in the field of satellite communications, including satellite operation and traffic control, business development, satellite project frequency design, satellite network coordination, spectrum and orbit resource management, etc. As a senior expert, Ms. CHEN Jing has continuously and actively participated in the ITU-R activities, including SG4, WP4A/B/C, CPM, RA and WRC during the study period of WRC-12, WRC-15, WRC-19 and WRC-23. She has been deeply involved in the ITU-R studies and contributions to progress the work of WRC agenda items related to satellite services. Ms. CHEN Jing holds a Master’s degree in software Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in electronic information from the Institute of Beijing Technology.

With more than 15 years of experience in the satellite industry, Mario Neri is responsible for directing Telesat’s strategy and innovation for the use of spectrum and orbital resources. Mario is also Telesat’s lead on policies related to the sustainable use of space. In his previous role as Director, International Coordination, Mario was responsible for securing the spectrum and orbital resources for Telesat’s Low Earth Orbit satellite constellation, including coordinating access to these scarce resources by engaging other satellite operators and government agencies. Mario has assumed various leading roles on satellite issues at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), including chairing WRC-19 Agenda Item 1.5 and WRC-23 Agenda Item 1.16 related to earth stations in motion communicating with GSO and non-GSO satellites in the Ka-band, respectively. Before Telesat, Mario led the team at UK communications regulator Ofcom that was responsible for managing the ITU filings for more than 20 stakeholders and collaborating with the rest of the Satellite & Space Science team for regulating the spectrum used by the various space applications in the UK. Mario joined Ofcom after working for Eutelsat and Inmarsat, two of the world’s largest global satellite operators. Mario is a Chartered Engineer accredited by the British Engineering Council. He holds a BSc. and a MSc. in Telecommunications Engineering from the University of Pisa (Italy) and a MSc. in Finance and Investment from Bayes Business School (formerly known as CASS Business School) – City, University of London (UK).

<div class="ituContainer"> With over 25 years of experience in satellite communications and regulations at international level, Mr Ciccorossi has taken the following responsibilities: </div> <div class="ituContainer"> <div class="ituContainer"> <ul> <li>Acting Head of the Satellite Systems Coordination Division at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)</li> </ul> </div> <div class="ituContainer"> <ul> <li>Chairman of the 22nd. International Space Radio Monitoring Meeting (ISRMM), September 2021.</li> </ul> </div> <div class="ituContainer"> <ul> <li>Spokesperson on satellites issues representing the Radiocommunications Bureau at the World Radiocommunications Conference 2023 and at the Radio Regulations Board</li> </ul> </div> <div class="ituContainer"> <ul> <li>Counsellor of DG-Plenary at the CPM-2023 and WG-6C at the World Radiocommunication Conference 2012.</li> </ul> </div> <div class="ituContainer"> <ul> <li>Represented the ITU Radiocommunications Bureau at WRCs since 2003, as well as at several regional and international fora, including Space Debris Conference, CITEL, ICAO, International Astronautical Congress, Eurocontrol, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Forum Europe, US Small Satellite Symposium, the Regulatory Expert Group of the ISRMM, IEEE and ITU Study Groups.</li> </ul> </div> <div class="ituContainer"> <ul> <li>Advises ITU Member States and Sectors Members on technical regulatory matters of space services.</li> </ul> </div> <div class="ituContainer"> <ul> <li>Responsible for the analysis of GSO and NGSO satellite systems submitted to ITU and the treatment of cases of harmful interference.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="ituContainer"> Mr. Ciccorossi has conceived the first (and unique) Intergovernmental Online Platform to Report RFI cases affecting Satellite System (SIRRS), assisting 193 ITU Member States in its resolution. He holds the degree of engineer in electronics from the National University of Technology (UTN) in Buenos Aires, an Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US, and has studied satellite communications and spacecraft design at the University of Surrey in the UK. </div>

Melissa Quinn is the General Manager of Slingshot Aerospace’s International Business Unit where she is expanding the company’s space safety and security tools, globally. Previously, as Director of Spaceport Cornwall, Melissa was instrumental in developing the UK launch industry, resulting in the UK’s first spaceport license and satellite launch with Virgin Orbit in 2023. She is passionate about leveraging space to improve life on Earth, whilst ensuring its use for future generations. She does this through various education outreach, and public engagement programs, as well as working with investors and start-ups to finance their technologies. Melissa holds a Master of Science Degree from the London School of Economics and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. She is a recognized thought leader and a keynote speaker, and has been featured in the New York Times, BBC World News and National Geographic.

<div class="ituContainer"> Martin Coleman is a Satcoms Innovation Group (SIG) board member. Since 2011, Martin has been active in spearheading several significant initiatives, leading the advance in new tools to resolve all types of VSAT interference such as SatGuard and the campaign to introduce Carrier ID across all SCPC/MCPC transmissions. Now focusing on S3A (…putting Spectrum into the SSA mix) and the next generation of tools and automation techniques required to meet the demands of LEO and MEO network expansion to better manage spectrum and ground infrastructure. In addition, and on behalf of SIG, Martin engages with local schools through STEAM (Arts inclusive STEM) helping to mentor and educate students from primary school to university for careers in space and telecoms. </div> <div class="ituContainer"> Martin’s own company, Colem Engineering, a software design and project management company, developing innovative technology and processes, network management systems and automation control of satellite ground systems. Prior to setting up Colem, Martin was executive engineer in charge of various BT projects for Madley, Goonhilly and other ground station systems within the UK as well as working at London’s international switching centres, starting his career in 1970. </div>

<div class="ituContainer"> Clémence Poirier is a Senior Cyberdefense Researcher at the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. </div> <div class="ituContainer"> Prior to joining CSS, she was a Research Fellow seconded by CNES (the French Space Agency) at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) in Vienna, Austria where she conducted multidisciplinary research on space affairs. She also worked as a Researcher for Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia where she carried out policy and legal research on the cybersecurity of the Australian space infrastructure. </div> <div class="ituContainer"> She is a guest lecturer at the NATO Defense College, the University of Oxford, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and ETH Zurich. She is also a Board Member of the CyberSat Summit and Women4Cyber Switzerland. </div> <div class="ituContainer"> Her research interests focus on space cybersecurity, cyber conflict in outer space, and electronic warfare on space systems. </div> <div class="ituContainer"> Clémence holds a Master’s degree in International Relations, International Security and Defense as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Foreign Applied Languages from University Jean Moulin Lyon III, France. </div>

With over three decades of leadership experience in global telecommunications policy, Ms. Bogdan-Martin has emphasized the need for digital transformation to achieve economic prosperity, job creation, skills development, gender equality, and socio-economic inclusion, as well as to build circular economies, reduce climate impact, and save lives. Her historic election by ITU Member States in S​eptember 2022 made her the first woman ever to head the nearly 160-year-old organization. Known for mobilizing innovative partnerships, she aims to promote meaningful connectivity, intensify cooperation to connect the unconnected, and strengthen the alignment of digital technologies with inclusive sustainable development.​​ <a href="https://www.itu.int/en/osg/Pages/biography-itu-sg-doreen.aspx" target="_blank">​​​Full biography</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtHJvm_2RPU" target="_blank">​Video i​nterview</a>