Meeting at the Saeima on Developing a Unified Governance Approach for Latvia’s Space Industry
Photo credit: Ieva Ābele
On 9 December 2025, the Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, invited representatives of Latvia’s space sector to a joint discussion in the Saeima’s Guest Hall to examine a possible unified governance model for the national space industry. The aim of the meeting was to review existing cooperation practices, identify key challenges, and agree on mechanisms that would ensure coordinated, transparent, and balanced development of the sector, reflecting the interests of all involved organisations.
Three central topics were discussed:
the effectiveness and shortcomings of current cooperation models;
potential solutions for establishing a unified governance structure;
necessary steps for strengthening future partnerships between public institutions, science, and industry.
Participants
The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Economics, industry associations, Riga Technical University, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science, industry partners, and other stakeholders. The Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry (LSIWC) was represented by its Scientific Director, Dr. Uģis Cābulis.
LSIWC’s Contribution to the Sector
The research directions and infrastructure of LSIWC provide significant support for strengthening Latvia’s capabilities in space-related technologies. The institute:
has developed a polymer technology ensuring the cryo-impact resistance of the Ariane 6 launch vehicle’s fuel tank (in cooperation with ArianeGroup and ESA);
conducts research on bio-based and composite materials, including resource-efficient polymers from lignin and other renewable inputs;
advances methodologies for life-cycle assessment (LCA) of sustainable materials.
These competencies enable LSIWC to contribute both to strategic policy development and to practical cooperation projects with public institutions and industry, supporting informed and technically grounded decision-making.
A Unified Approach
The discussion platform initiated by Speaker Daiga Mieriņa encouraged an exchange of views on key tasks and has laid the foundation for continued work. Further discussions will follow, with the aim of gradually establishing a unified and functional cooperation model for Latvia’s space sector and developing a transparent, collaborative governance approach.
Photo source: Saeima, official gallery
