This year's Plenary organised by the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) addressed the rising role and growing commercial importance of space industry of emerging space nations in the global market place.

The organisers of this Plenary were Dr Werner Balogh, Programme Officer, UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA), Vienna, Austria and Dr Nandasiri Jasentuliyana, President, International Institute of Space Law (IISL) and Former Director of UN-OOSA.

The Moderator of the Plenary, Ms Indra Heed (Corporate Counsel, MDA Corporation, Canada) briefed attendees of the theme of the session and introduced the speakers.

The participants in the Plenary discussed the commercial, legal, and regulatory aspects of these developments. This included the cooperation and competition on the global market place between space industry actors of well established and emerging space nations, issues of licensing and intellectual property rights, questions related to international trade, fair competition and market access regulations due to dual-use considerations and technology-export restrictions, as well as considerations of issues related to frequency and orbital slot allocations relevant to the satellite industry.

Plenary participants were particularly encouraged to consider the possible need for adaptations and changes to the existing regulatory environment and to voice their views on the possible future development of the commercial market for satellite platforms, and the consequences for satellite producers in established and emerging space nations, as well as how these developments may be applicable for other sectors of the commercial space market.

Mr Joel Chenet (Senior Vice President for Business Development, THALES Alenia Space, France) said that increasing the business and quality of products related to space, healthy competition and co-operation among industries is necessary. In order to increase wide opportunities for improving quality of satellite products healthy competition among industries required.

Dr Ray A. Williamson (Research Professor, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University, USA) discussed the possible future development of the commercial market for satellite platforms. He explained that market opportunities are increasing for small industries and small industries who can form an efficient supply chain with other manufacturers and can improve cost effectiveness.

Sri K R Sridhara Murthy (Executive Director, Antrix Corporation, India) explained that co-operation and competition among industries are highly essential. The need to work for an improving quality of the satellite products and industries is paramount and they should fear competition.

He said that new actors in space industry are already engaged in almost all areas such as launch services, communications etc. He also stated that there are some bottlenecks faced in this business - the uncertainity in licence issues with players from different countries. He explained that a unified licensing system is required for the development of the business. This issue has to be solved at a political level.