Djibouti Becomes 72nd Nation to Sign Artemis Accords

The Republic of Djibouti signed the Artemis Accords on Monday during a ceremony at NASA Headquarters in Washington, becoming the 72nd nation to join the international framework, according to NASA.

NASA said Djibouti is the eighth African country to sign the accords, which the agency describes as the first set of practical principles aimed at enhancing transparency, safety, and coordination among nations as they explore the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

According to NASA's announcement, the accords establish a common set of principles governing civil space exploration and use, building on the framework of existing international space law.

NASA did not immediately provide additional details on Djibouti's specific commitments or plans related to space exploration following the signing.

The Artemis Accords, first introduced in 2020, have grown to include a broad coalition of nations across multiple continents, as the United States seeks to establish shared norms for a new era of lunar and deep space exploration.