Press Release – Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities Appoints New Chair

Vienna, Austria – April 9, 2026

The, Moon Village Association (MVA), is pleased to announce the appointment of Malak Trabelsi Loeb as the new Chair of the Global Expert Group on Sustainable Lunar Activities (GEGSLA), an international platform dedicated to advancing coordination and governance for sustained lunar exploration and development.

GEGSLA brings together experts from space agencies, government institutions, industry, academia and international organizations to develop practical guidance for the peaceful, sustainable and cooperative use of the Moon. The group has been instrumental in shaping the widely discussed Recommended Framework and Key Elements for Peaceful and Sustainable Lunar Activities, which has informed dialogue across major international fora, including in UN processes related to COPUOS and in scientific networks such as COSPAR. In particular, GEGSLA has helped build a common understanding about lunar activities that eventually has coalescenced in the creation of the Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultation (ATLAC) of COPUOS.

Ms Loeb, an international business and space law expert, specializes in national security, emerging and dual‑use technologies, and the governance of complex technological systems. Over the past two years, she has contributed to Working Group 3 on Lunar Multi‑Stakeholder Coordination, collaborating with a global network of legal, technical, and policy experts committed to strengthening cooperative approaches to lunar activities.

In her new role as Chair, Ms Loeb will provide strategic leadership to GEGSLA’s three active working groups, which focus on: Lunar Environmental Protection; Technical Coordination of Lunar Missions; Multi‑Stakeholder Coordination.

As international lunar programmes expand across scientific missions, infrastructure development, and commercial initiatives, GEGSLA’s work is increasingly vital for fostering shared understanding, operational coordination, environmental stewardship, heritage protection and long‑term sustainability.

Speaking on her appointment, Malak Trabelsi Loeb said:

“The Moon may appear distant in the night sky, yet it is rapidly becoming a shared frontier for humanity. Its stewardship demands cooperation, foresight and neutrality. I look forward to further strengthening the bridges between law, technology, and international collaboration so that the next phase of lunar activities unfolds with coordination, responsibility, and respect for our collective future.”

Dr. Giuseppe Reibaldi, President of the Moon Village Association, added:

“Ms Loeb brings a rare combination of strategic insight, legal expertise, and global perspective to GEGSLA’s leadership. Her commitment to multilateral cooperation and responsible governance will be invaluable as humanity enters a new era of lunar activity. Under her tenure, GEGSLA will continue to play a critical role in shaping shared principles for sustainable and peaceful use of the Moon and start to provide services in lunar governance to important players in the world”

For further information on GEGSLA, visit: https://moonvillageassociation.org/gegsla/

ENDS