Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The US Department of State has welcomed Uzbekistan’s accession to the Artemis Accords, which establish principles for the responsible and peaceful exploration of outer space.
In a statement dated 19 October 2026, the US foreign policy agency noted that Uzbekistan had become the 77th country to sign the agreement.
Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov signed the accords on behalf of Uzbekistan on 19 October. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended the ceremony, which took place in Samarkand following a bilateral meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers.
The State Department expressed hope for further strengthening the expanded strategic partnership between Washington and Tashkent ahead of the upcoming G20 summit.
The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 at the initiative of the United States and seven other countries. They set out principles for international cooperation to ensure the safe, transparent and responsible exploration of space for peaceful purposes.
By joining the initiative, Uzbekistan has aligned itself with the United States and other participating countries, reaffirming its commitment to peaceful and sustainable space activities.
The US Department of State and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) coordinate international cooperation under the accords on behalf of the United States.
The Artemis Accords are an international framework of principles for the peaceful, safe and sustainable exploration and use of the Moon, Mars, comets, asteroids and other celestial bodies. NASA and the US Department of State developed the document in 2020. Accession is voluntary and formalised through bilateral arrangements with the United States.
Uzbekistan joined the Artemis Accords on 19 October 2026.
