CM25 – Elevating the future of Europe
In March 2025, the European Space Agency published Strategy 2040, specifying the long-term goals of the agency. At this year’s Ministerial Council, CM25, vital decisions on funding will be made to implement the strategy and help realise the potential of the European space industry.
ESA has reformed and reorganised over the past four years and is ready to take on the challenges of the future.
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To use space for the best possible outcomes for the citizens of Europe, ESA is proposing programmes and projects to improve European autonomy and resilience, commercial competitiveness, and for the best scientific research. In its 50-year history, ESA has seen landmark achievements and evolutions in space. This year, we are listening to new demands for space for resilience and security, while we also help Europe compete in a rapidly growing commercial space industry.
Space science has been conducted from the ground for millennia and from space for decades. Everyone under the age of 25 was born in the era of continuous habitation of space. But what may be less visible is how fundamental space applications are to everyday life, and how much we depend on satellites. ESA is working to develop and protect those assets.
Commercial space is moving quickly and dozens of satellites are launched every month. Most space is still publicly funded but Europe is falling behind in its representation, meaning we become a smaller part of a bigger industry.
New technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum and new developments in connectivity and navigation satellites offer great opportunities for Europe. It’s an important time to invest in public-private partnerships and to optimise space for dual use to ensure that investment works for the people of Europe.
Europe needs to be autonomous in defence. The European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, has discussed how much space needs defence (such as cybersecurity) and defence needs space (such as dual-use Earth observation). In line with its Convention and its capabilities, ESA is ready to ensure space resources support European resilience and security.
ESA is committed to raising up the European space ecosystem. Europe has the talent and the skill to lead in space technology, and we must ensure Europe uses its attributes to keep our space assets active and secure. To give European industry better opportunities, ESA has decreased the time to contract, and reduced the paperwork needed to do business with the agency. More companies and innovators are being welcomed into the space sector.
ESA will work to bring the best out of our research and development to deliver value to the citizen as quickly as possible. On 26 and 27 November, ESA's Member States will make crucial decisions on how space will help to elevate the future of Europe.