Serbia 16 July and Mauritius 17 July 2026 signed the Artemis Agreement. Serbia became the 69th, and Mauritius is the 70th signatory country of the document. So, in 2026 number of states per year, who joined the initiative, grew to 11.
During a ceremony at the NASA headquarters, the Agreement was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Marko Djuric. In the Mauritian city of Eben, the document was signed by a representative of the Ministry of Higher Education, of Science and Research Navindsingh Jugmohunsingh. Representatives of the US State Department were present at both events, and NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson delivered a video message. In their statements, both countries emphasized the importance of international cooperation and peaceful space exploration. A senior official of Mauritius noted, that as a small island state, which is developing, Mauritius is committed to protecting the oceans and strengthening the voice of similar countries in space.
Agreements of Artemis, introduced by the USA in 2020 year, determine best practices in space exploration, including conflict avoidance, use of space resources
and exchange of scientific data. The document also serves as a mechanism for coordinating international participation
in NASA lunar programs, in particular, in the creation of a lunar base.
Of particular importance is that, that Serbia signed the Agreements, already having the status of a participant of the Chinese International Lunar Scientific Station (ILRS). Serbia became the third (after Thailand and Senegal) ILRS signatory, who also joined the Artemis Accords.
Source: https://spacenews.com