President Stubb attends International Space Summit in Paris

President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb attended the International Space Summit in Paris on Thursday 10 September 2026. The main themes of the summit were space security, the space economy, sustainable space governance, and the promotion of scientific research and skills development.

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"There is obviously a race to space. I think the key here is how we contain this competition and make sure that it becomes cooperation," the President said in his remarks at the summit.

He also invited the audience to explore Finland’s space industry: "Please look at what we can do in the Arctic. Look at it this way: 'Finland , even cooler than you think.'" President Stubb met President of France Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris on 10 September 2026.

Photo: Matti Porre / Office of the President of the Republic of Finland Meeting with President Macron President Stubb also had a bilateral meeting with President Macron on the sidelines of the summit. The discussions held at the Élysée Palace focused on Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, European security, and ways to strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy.

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"Finland and France are closer than ever before. France is an important partner for Ukraine and the whole of Europe," President Stubb said.  At the end of the visit, President Stubb met with representatives of Finnish companies participating in the space summit.

The companies represented fields including satellite technology, artificial intelligence, space weather and research. "Finland punches above its weight in the space sector. We have developed a unique network of space companies.

And the growth is only beginning," the President said. The inaugural International Space Summit aimed to promote international dialogue and cooperation in the space sector.

The summit was also attended by Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen. The event brought together 120 foreign delegations, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.

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Participants also included representatives of international and regional organizations, members of parliament, scientists, astronauts and decision-makers from the private sector, civil society, local communities and development banks.

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