Signatories of the Artemis Accords will meet in Turkiye this week to discuss responsible operations in space.

The Principals’ Meeting takes place at the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya. It will be co-chaired by NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson and Major General Roberto Melgar Sheen of Peru’s space agency.

A news conference on the Artemis Accords is scheduled for October 7. The meeting will focus on two goals: helping new space nations build their presence in orbit, and sharing recommendations to reduce debris on the Moon.

The accords now have 76 signatory nations. Albania, Croatia, Cote d’Ivoire and San Marino joined last week. About 40 percent of the world’s countries have signed the non-binding agreement.

The accords set practical principles for exploring the Moon, Mars and beyond. Signatories pledge to explore peacefully, share scientific data and avoid interfering with each other’s activities.

NASA has invited all signatories to join its return to the Moon through scientific payloads, technology demos and CubeSats.