AI Insight
NASA has announced that the Republic of Djibouti will become the 72nd country to sign the Artemis Accords during a ceremony on September 14, 2026, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The signing will be hosted by NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson and attended by Djibouti's Ambassador to the United States and a U.S. State Department official. The Artemis Accords, established in 2020 by the United States and seven founding nations, comprise a set of principles designed to guide safe, transparent, and coordinated civil space exploration on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Why it matters
The expansion of Artemis Accords signatories to 72 countries demonstrates growing international consensus on establishing governance frameworks for lunar and planetary exploration. These agreements facilitate coordination between governments and private companies as space activities intensify, potentially reducing conflicts and promoting collaborative scientific efforts in future missions.
Understand the Science
The Republic of Djibouti will sign the Artemis Accords during a ceremony at 11 a.m. EDT, Monday, Sept. 14, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, becoming the 72nd country signatory.
NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson will host Ambassador of Djibouti to the United States Mohamed Siad Douale for the ceremony, together with U.S. State Department Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Frank Garcia.
This event is in person only. Media interested in attending must RSVP no later than 8 a.m. on Sept. 14 to: hq-media@mail.nasa.gov. NASA’s media accreditation policy is online.
In 2020, during the first Trump Administration, the United States, led by NASA and the State Department, joined with seven other founding nations to establish the Artemis Accords, responding to the growing interest in lunar activities by both governments and private companies.
The accords introduced the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing the safety, transparency, and coordination of civil space exploration on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Learn more about the Artemis Accords at:
https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords
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Camille Gallo / Elizabeth Shaw
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
camille.m.gallo@nasa.gov / elizabeth.a.shaw@nasa.gov
Source: NASA Invites Media to Djibouti Artemis Accords Signing Ceremony