COSPAR organizes scientific symposia for participants of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee sessions of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS). These sessions are organized by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) in Vienna. Until 2007 the symposia were organized jointly with the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). From 2007 they have been organized alternately either by COSPAR or the IAF in years when OOSA organizes no industry symposium.
The topics so far addressed by the symposia in which COSPAR has played a role are:
- 2023 – Space-based Earth Observation supporting Climate Action
- 2019 – Space Weather and Small Satellites
- 2015 – Measuring the Universe: Looking back in Time with Modern Astronomy
- 2011 – Planetary Protection and Space Exploration
- 2007 – Use of the equatorial orbit for space applications: challenges and opportunities
- 2005 – High resolution and hyperspectral satellite data integration for precision farming, environmental monitoring and possible new applications
- 2003 – Applications of satellite navigation and their benefits to developing countries
- 2002 – Remote sensing for substantive water management in arid and semi-arid areas
- 2001 – Terrestrial hazards from outer space objects and phenomena
- 2000 – Space commercialization: an era of new opportunities
- 1999 – No COSPAR/IAF Symposium was organized in 1999 since both organizations collaborated with the UN COPUOS for UNISPACE III. In 1999 the United Nations General Assembly convened the Third United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE III) as a special session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space open to all Member States of the United Nations. The primary objectives of the UNISPACE III Conference were (a) to promote effective means of using space technology to assist in the solutions of problems of regional or global significance and (b) to strengthen the capabilities of Member States, in particular developing countries, to use the applications of space research for economic, social and cultural development. COSPAR, as well as a many other bodies, organized or co-sponsored various components of the conference.
- 1998 – Scientific and technical aspects and applications of space-based meteorology
- 1997 – Space systems for direct broadcasting and global information systems for space research
- 1996 – Utilization of micro- and small satellites for the expansion of low-cost space activities, taking into account the special needs of developing countries
- 1995 – Application of space technology for education with particular emphasis on its use in developing countries
- 1994 – Space applications for disaster prevention, warning, mitigation, and relief
- 1993 – Space based communications, global systems and new services
- 1992 – Space technology in developing countries – making it happen
- 1991 – Applications of remote sensing for mineral, water, air and agricultural resources
- 1990 – Space technology for disaster prediction, communications, and rescue
- 1989 – Space technology as an instrument for combating environmental problems, particularly those of developing countries
- 1988 – Microgravity experiments in space and their applications
- 1987 – Space communications for development
- 1986 – Remote sensing for developing countries