Projects / Initiatives

Advancing Pacific SPACE Governance and Diplomacy

SPACE recognises that the future of the space domain must be inclusive, equitable, and reflective of diverse knowledge systems. The project elevates Pacific diplomacy and global participation, ensuring that Pacific states are not only users of space technologies, but decision-makers shaping international norms, governance frameworks, and strategic agendas. The Pacific must not be left behind, however can lead through space diplomacy, multilateralism and contribute to sustainable industry. Central to this vision is the integration and safeguarding of Indigenous knowledge systems and Pacific astronomy traditions, which bring longstanding understandings of the skies, navigation, and environmental stewardship into contemporary space governance and capability development.

The Pacific is emerging as a vital voice in the future of global space governance, where diplomacy, sovereignty, and access to space capabilities are reshaping international relations. Through SPACE, this project aspires to position Pacific states not only as beneficiaries of space technologies, but as leaders shaping global norms, advancing equitable partnerships, and asserting their authority in multilateral forums. In doing so, it supports a future where space capabilities underpin climate resilience, security, and sustainable development, grounded in Pacific values, knowledge systems, and collective ambition.

The SPACE Framework

SPACE is guided by five interconnected pillars:

  • S – Sovereign policy and regulatory systems
  • P – Pacific-led, Indigenous, and people-centred partnerships and regional cooperation
  • A – Aerospace infrastructure and applications
  • C – Climate change, security, and data governance
  • E – Ecosystem development, multi-level community awareness strengthening, and capacity-building

Working Together

Working in partnership with Pacific governments and regional organisations, SPACE supports the design and implementation of policy architectures, legal frameworks, and operational ecosystems required to enable emerging space capabilities. This includes advancing regulatory systems for ground-based infrastructure, strengthening data governance, and supporting the deployment of Earth observation and communications technologies.

The project integrates climate security, infrastructure risk, and Indigenous knowledge systems to ensure that space sector development is resilient, context-specific, and grounded in Pacific priorities and values. Sovereign policy architectures and regulatory frameworks for ground-based space infrastructure

  • Operational ecosystems for Earth observation, communications, and data governance
  • Regional cooperation mechanisms that strengthen collective capability and diplomatic alignment

Global Engagement and Diplomacy

SPACE strengthens Pacific engagement in multilateral processes and global space governance, supporting countries to participate effectively in international negotiations, standard-setting, and norm development. Through strategic policy advisory and support for financing pathways, the project enhances Pacific leadership in global forums and positions the region as a key factor in shaping the future of the space domain.

Impact for Climate, Security, and Sustainable Development

SPACE enables Pacific countries to leverage space capabilities for:

  • Climate change adaptation and resilience, including improved monitoring, forecasting, and disaster response
  • National and regional security, through enhanced situational awareness and infrastructure governance
  • Sustainable development, supporting economic opportunity, connectivity, and evidence-based decision-making in space industry
  • Diplomacy for Peace, supporting and enhancing diplomatic initiatives for space for peace

By strengthening governance and capability, SPACE lays the foundation for a sustainable and sovereign Pacific space futures.

Leadership

Salā Dr George Carter is Head of the Department of Pacific Affairs a His work sits at the interface of international politics and the aerospace sector, with a focus on space diplomacy, governance systems, and regulatory frameworks across the Pacific and SIDS.

He works closely with Pacific governments and regional organisations to develop sovereign policy architectures, legal frameworks, and operational ecosystems supporting emerging space capabilities. His research integrates climate security, infrastructure risk, and Indigenous knowledge systems—including Indigenous astronomy—to inform resilient, locally grounded development. Dr Carter brings applied expertise in multilateral engagement, financing mechanisms, and strategic policy advisory, supporting Pacific-led approaches to global space governance and international advocacy.