N° 60–2026: Media Invitation: ESA Intermediate Ministerial Meeting
5 October 2026
Media representatives are invited to attend the European Space Agency’s Intermediate Ministerial Meeting 2026 (IMM26), taking place in Rome, Italy, on 15 December 2026.
ESA Member States will meet to discuss Europe’s future role in space exploration and agree on a joint way forward at a time of significant change in the international exploration landscape.
In September 2026, at the International Space Summit, ESA Member States endorsed “A Call to Boost European Space Exploration” at the International Space Summit in Paris, providing political guidance for Europe to strengthen its role in human and robotic exploration and requiring ESA to prepare concrete options for decision by ministers at IMM26.
The meeting in Rome will provide an opportunity for ministers to consider these options and determine Europe’s way forward in exploration, including how to reinforce European autonomy while maintaining strong international partnerships.
Discussions will focus in particular on securing Europe's access to and presence in low Earth orbit in the post-International Space Station era; strengthening Europe's presence on and around the Moon through a combination of international cooperation and targeted autonomy; and using low Earth orbit and the Moon as stepping stones towards future exploration of Mars.
Location
The Intermediate Ministerial Meeting will take place at:
La Nuvola - Rome Convention Center
Viale Asia 40
Rome, Italy
Media programme
The following opportunities are provided to journalists during the Intermediate Ministerial Meeting.
Note that times are subject to change.
Tuesday, 15 December 2026
10:30–12:00: Arrivals of Ministers and Heads of Delegation
Photo and filming opportunities as Ministers and Heads of Delegation arrive at the venue.
Doorstep opportunities will be available to an accredited media pool.
Arrivals will also be streamed live on ESA WebTV.
13:30 – 15h30 – 1st session of ESA Intermediate Ministerial Meeting
15:30 – Family photo
Official family photo of Ministers and Heads of Delegation.
A pool of accredited audiovisual media and photographers will have access to the photo opportunity.
16:00 – 17:30 – 2nd session of ESA Intermediate Ministerial Meeting
18:00–19:00 – Press conference
A press conference will take place following the conclusion of the Intermediate Ministerial Meeting, with the ESA Director General and high-level representatives of the meeting.
The press conference will be open to all accredited journalists attending on site.
It will also be streamed live on ESA WebTV, with live translation in English and Italian.
Journalists participating remotely will be able to follow the press conference and submit written questions via Webex. Connection details will be provided to registered media ahead of the event.
Accreditation
Media representatives wishing to attend IMM26 in person are requested to express their interest by 30 October 2026.
Only accredited media will have access to the venue and media opportunities.
Details concerning accreditation procedures, access to the venue and media facilities will be provided to registered journalists ahead of the meeting.
Journalists unable to attend in person may follow the press conference and other streamed media moments remotely.
Interview opportunities
Subject to availability, interview requests may be submitted for participating Ministers and Heads of Delegation, ESA Director General, ESA Directors, ESA Astronauts and experts on site.
Interview requests should be sent to media@esa.int and will be accommodated where possible.
Follow ESA
ESA WebTV: esawebtv.esa.int
X: @esa and @AschbacherJosef
Facebook: @EuropeanSpaceAgency
Instagram: @europeanspaceagency
YouTube: European Space Agency, ESA
LinkedIn: European Space Agency
Hashtag: #IMM26
Media contacts
For further information, please contact:
ESA Media Relations
media@esa.int
About the European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.
ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.
Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int.