December 3rd 2:45 – 4:45 p.m.« AGENDA
2:45-3:45 p.m. – Aula Biblioteca
Thematic Hall “International cooperation and alliances in both sea and space”
Key topics:
- European strategic autonomy in space: IRIS², Galileo, Copernicus, European PNT, etc.
- Multilateral alliances for space and maritime defence, including cooperation between European states and between Europe and external partners, and the role of NATO, ESA and EU.
- International standards, governance and regulation: security; dual use, regulations for space/maritime activities.
- Sharing resources and capabilities (observation, communications, ground stations and maritime infrastructure).
Goals:
- Identify concrete strategies to increase European cooperation (including public–private) with the aim of creating a common defence strategy (including EU technologies).
- Map existing alliances, gaps and opportunities for new partnerships (including with countries in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East).
- Recommend policies and investments (governmental and industrial) that promote strategic autonomy in space and at sea.
Outcomes:
- A document/set of guidelines containing policy recommendations (for EU, national governments) on space/maritime cooperation.
- A proposal for a roadmap/specific initiatives (e.g. pilot projects or joint ventures) to be presented to stakeholders.
- A list of actors, critical and enabling technologies, barriers to be overcome (technical, regulatory, financial).
2:45-3:45 p.m. – Salone Plenaria
Thematic Hall “Submarine infrastructure and cybersecurity”
Key topics:
- Physical and digital security of submarine infrastructure: communication cables, electrical cables, energy cables, coastal terminals.
- EU Action Plan on submarine cable security: prevention, detection, response, repair, deterrence.
- Technological vulnerabilities and potential attacks: tapping, sabotage, malware in control systems, threats from remote infrastructure.
- Strategic impact of submarine cables for telecommunications, data, national security, digital economy.
Goals:
- Map the current state of submarine infrastructure in the Mediterranean/Europe: strengths and weaknesses.
- Explore how to integrate policies and technologies to ensure resilience and protection (physical and cyber).
- Stimulate the development of shared standards/regulations – starting with the Musumeci bill already approved by the Senate – as well as cooperation between states for the security of critical submarine infrastructure.
Outcomes:
- Report on specific vulnerabilities/risks (physical/cyber) in Mediterranean submarine infrastructure.
- Proposal for policy/regulatory/safety standards measures, including at EU or regional level.
- Pilot projects or recommendations for monitoring, undersea surveillance, rapid response, repair fleet (as proposed by the EU).
3:45-4:45 p.m. – Salone Plenaria
Thematic Hall “Hybrid warfare and space domain”
Key topics:
- Hybrid threats in space: cyber-attacks, spoofing or interferences, attacks on satellites, disinformation via space data.
- Dual use of space technologies: surveillance, telecommunications, encrypted communications.
- Defence and deterrence in atmospheric and extra-atmospheric space: policy, capabilities, rules of engagement.
- Resilience of space systems: how to protect critical infrastructure and ensure operational continuity in crisis scenarios.
Goals:
- Analyse Europe’s major vulnerabilities in the space domain today with the emergence of hybrid warfare.
- Discuss mechanisms and tools to strengthen space defence and resilience: frontier technologies (AI and quantum computing), policy, cooperation.
- Propose ways to regulate the space domain in conflict contexts (including international norms).
Outcomes:
- A map of current and expected hybrid threats to the space domain (including interaction with marine/submarine domains).
- Recommendations for action on cybersecurity, satellite cyber posture, protection policies.
- Use cases, ideas for exercises, simulations, cooperation between defence/space agencies in response to threat scenarios.
3:45-4:45 p.m. – Aula Biblioteca
Thematic Hall “Sustainability and Agenda 2030 in the new domains”
Key topics:
- Environmental impact of space and underwater activities: space pollution, satellite debris, impact of launches, marine pollution from underwater infrastructure.
- Circular economy, sustainable use of resources: satellite materials, end-of-life recovery, recycling, design for durability.
- Equity, inclusion, sustainable development: how space and the sea can contribute to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), especially for coastal communities, small islands, countries with limited capacity.
- Climate change: monitoring from space, underwater data, use of satellites for mitigation/adaptation.
Goals:
- Integrate the principles of Agenda 2030 into the development of space/marine infrastructures, defining best practices to minimise environmental impact.
- Raise awareness among participants that growth in the space and marine sectors must be sustainable: not only technological and strategic, but also ecological and social.
- Promote sustainability guidelines or criteria that can be adopted by industries and governments.
Outcomes:
- Sustainability guidelines/checklists for space/submarine projects.
- Proposals for international standards or national regulations incorporating the SDGs.
- Case studies to highlight: what is already being done well, what is not, lessons learned.
