Officials from big-hitters like US, Japan, China and Russia, and the European Union agreed it should be a top priority.
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The technical challenges of a manned mission to Mars are phenomenal
A statement said: "ISEF participants noted that space exploration represents the ultimate challenge in our quest to explore new frontiers and expand our collective sense of humanity’s place in the universe.
"All participants confirmed that innovation and knowledge derived from space exploration directly contribute to economic growth and societal well-being."
The meeting acknowledged the International Space Station (ISS) as an example of successful international cooperation on "the largest, most complex international scientific and engineering project in history".
It has also just been announced the ISS project will be extended until 2024, funded in part by contracts with private companies such as SpaceX who run missions to resupply the craft.
William J. Burns, U.S. deputy secretary of state, said in a speech at the event: "Rather than pursuing disparate paths of discovery, 12 national space agencies have developed a shared roadmap that will lead us to human missions to the surface of Mars."
This Aug. 9, 2011 image provided by NASA shows a view from the Mars Rover Opportunity from the Western rim of the Endeavour Crater. (credit:AP)
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This undated image provided by NASA shows the Mars rover Opportunity looking back at an outcrop where it spent the Martian winter in 2012. (credit:AP)
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This image provided by NASA shows a rock that the NASA Mars rover Opportunity examined in 2012. (credit:AP)
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This image provided by NASA shows a shadow self-portrait taken by NASAs Opportunity rover on the Martian surface. (credit:AP)
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This image provided by NASA shows a panoramic view from NASA's Mars Exploration rover Opportunity of "Solander Point." (credit:AP)
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This image provided by NASA shows the late-afternoon shadow cast by the Mars rover Opportunity at Endeavour Crater. The six-wheel rover landed on Mars in January 2004 and is still going strong. (AP Photo/NASA) (credit:AP)
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Handout photo issued by NASA Wednesday 21 January 2004 of a image mosaic taken by the panoramic camera onboard the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit. (credit:PA)
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Nasa undated computer generated image of what the it's Spirit rover would look like on the surface of Mars. (credit:PA)
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This magnified image taken by the Mars Rover Opportunity shows evidence of past flowing water. (credit:Getty Images)
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This magnified image taken by the Mars Rover Opportunity shows evidence of past flowing water. (credit:Getty Images)