Pre-IAC 2026 Reception and High-Level Stakeholder Briefing

On 28 July 2026, the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) participated in the Pre-IAC 2026 Reception and High-Level Stakeholder Briefing organized by the Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Türkiye at the Ethnography Museum in Ankara, as part of the preparations for the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026), which will take place in Antalya from 5–9 October 2026.

The event was hosted by H.E. Mehmet Fatih Kacır, Minister of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Türkiye, and brought together senior representatives of the Turkish Government, Parliament, diplomatic missions, and the international space community. Distinguished attendees included H.E. Fuat Oktay, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye; H.E. Ambassador Levent Gümrükçü, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Christian Feichtinger, Executive Director of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF); Dr. Elena Feichtinger, Senior Advisor of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF); Prof. Dr. Yusuf Kıraç, President of the Turkish Space Agency (TUA); and Ms. Emine Doğrukök, Advisor to the Minister of Industry and Technology and Director of IAC 2026, together with ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions accredited to Türkiye.

The briefing presented the vision and objectives of IAC 2026 and highlighted the strategic importance of hosting the world’s leading space congress in Türkiye. Discussions focused on the growing role of space technologies in addressing global challenges, including communications, transportation, disaster management, sustainability, and economic development. The importance of international cooperation and the role of governments and legislative institutions in supporting the development of the space sector were also emphasized.

In his remarks, Dr. Christian Feichtinger highlighted the unique global character of the International Astronautical Congress. He noted that, for more than 75 years, the IAC has been hosted in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, and Latin America, demonstrating that space cooperation transcends borders, cultures, and political differences.

Dr. Feichtinger also highlighted the remarkable momentum of the global space community, with new regions and new actors increasingly contributing to the development of the space sector. He underlined the significance of the IAC journey through the Central Asia region, with the Congress hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2023, coming to Antalya, Türkiye, in 2026, and continuing to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2029. This sequence reflects the growing importance of the region in the global space ecosystem, with Türkiye playing a leading role in advancing international cooperation. The Pre-IAC 2026 Reception and High-Level Stakeholder Briefing strengthened engagement between the IAF, the Government of Türkiye, the Turkish Space Agency, and the international diplomatic community, further building momentum towards the successful organization of the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya.