The Republic of Albania has signed the Artemis Accords. The ceremony took place on Monday, 21 September 2026, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. With the signature, Albania became the 73rd country to join the Accords.
The signing
Albania's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha signed on behalf of the country. NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson hosted the ceremony. Albania's Ambassador to the United States Ervin Bushati and Connor Tomlinson, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Space and Environment, also took part.
It is my privilege to welcome the Republic of Albania as the 73rd signatory of the Artemis Accords.Matt Anderson, Deputy Administrator, NASA
By taking this step, Albania affirms its commitment to peaceful, transparent, sustainable, and cooperative exploration of space.Ferit Hoxha, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Albania
What the Artemis Accords are
The United States, led by NASA and the State Department, established the Artemis Accords in 2020 together with seven other founding nations. According to NASA, the Accords introduced the first set of practical principles for the safety, transparency and coordination of civil exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond. They build on existing space law, in particular the Outer Space Treaty.
Why it matters
Each new signatory widens the group of countries that commit to shared rules for lunar activities, such as transparency about missions and coordination to avoid harmful interference. For companies planning lunar missions, a broad coalition of countries following common principles creates more predictable conditions for operations on and around the Moon.
Related reading
- Artemis Accords Pass 75 Signatories: Croatia, Côte d’Ivoire and San Marino Join
- The Outer Space Treaty: The Legal Foundation of Spaceflight
- Artemis Accords Grow to 72 Countries: Turkey and Djibouti Sign
Sources
- NASA: NASA Welcomes Albania as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory
- NASA: NASA Invites Media to Albania Artemis Accords Signing Ceremony
Cover image: Artemis Accords signing ceremony with the Republic of Albania at NASA Headquarters, 21 September 2026. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls (NHQ202609210009), public domain.