The 32nd IAF Workshop on “Resilient Coasts, Resilient Earth: Innovative Space Solutions for Coastal Resilience and Emergency Management”

NEW! Registration for the IAF workshop is now open: The call for abstracts is open until 15 June 2025. Deadline for registration as self-funded attendee: 29 June 2025

Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/2nK1qdCLFV

INTRODUCTION

For more than thirty years, the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the United Nations have co-organized a technical workshop ahead of each IAC embracing the theme “Space Technology for Socio-Economic Benefits”. In 2025, the workshop will adopt a new dual focus—Space for Oceans and disaster-risk management—reflecting the IAC 2025 theme: “Sustainable Space : Resilient Earth.”

Space for Oceans highlights the critical role of space-based technologies in supporting ocean stewardship, advancing SDG 14, and safeguarding the world’s coasts. By linking the space and marine communities, the theme emphasizes how satellite data, Earth observation missions, and capacity-building efforts can empower frontline coastal nations to protect ocean health. Coordinated action among space agencies, research organizations, and Small Island Developing States unlocks actionable information for tackling challenges such as sea-level rise, illegal fishing, and marine pollution.

The three-day event will convene government officials, space-agency and marine-science experts, civil-protection authorities, academia, NGOs and industry to:

• accelerate capacity-building in developing and frontline nations on the use of satellite applications for both ocean stewardship and disaster-risk reduction;
• forge partnerships—particularly for Small Island Developing States—and expand user training through the UN-SPIDER programme and the emerging Space4Ocean Alliance.

The Workshop is organized by the International Astronautical Federation from 26 to 28 September 2025, with support from the United Nations SPIDER program and the Maldives Space Research Organisation (MSRO), Maldives.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

The Workshop will:

• Highlight synergies by showcasing the complementary role of Space for Oceans and disaster/emergency applications, demonstrating how space-derived data can simultaneously strengthen coastal hazard early warning systems, enable marine pollution tracking, and facilitate rapid post-disaster response.
• Increase understanding of the UN-SPIDER programme and share global lessons learned and best practices in space-based ocean and disaster management with decision-makers, especially from Asia-Pacific, Pacific Island countries, and other SIDS/LDCs.
• Present real-world applications of Earth Observation (EO), GeoAI, digital twins, IoT, and cloud platforms for building resilient coastal cities, ensuring sustainable fisheries, and supporting emergency logistics.
• Foster new partnerships that integrate satellite solutions into national disaster risk reduction frameworks and ocean policy instruments, directly contributing to the advancement of SDGs 13 (Climate Action) and 14 (Life Below Water).

PROGRAMME

The programme includes five types of formats:

• Keynote presentations given by invited speakers.
• Sessions where speakers present sequentially on a specific topic, followed by Q&A with the audience.
• Panels: roundtables during which speakers make short introductory statements, followed by a moderated discussion between speakers, then Q&A with the audience.
• Pitch presentations during which speakers present their project concisely in three minutes.
• Networking opportunities with a ‘match-making’ interactive activity each day.

The exact topics of sessions and panels will be defined based on the result of the call for abstracts and a detailed programme will be released in August 2025. This call for abstracts covers the following four topics:

• Showcase the complementary role of Space for Oceans and disaster/emergency applications by demonstrating how space-derived data can simultaneously strengthen coastal hazard early warning systems, enable marine pollution tracking, and facilitate rapid post-disaster response.
• Increase understanding of the UN-SPIDER programme and share global lessons learned and best practices in space-based ocean and disaster management with decision-makers, especially from Asia-Pacific, Pacific Island countries, and other SIDS/LDCs.
• Present real-world applications of Earth Observation (EO), GeoAI, digital twins, IoT, and cloud platforms for building resilient coastal cities, ensuring sustainable fisheries, and supporting emergency logistics.
• Highlight new partnerships that integrate satellite solutions into national disaster risk reduction frameworks and ocean policy instruments, directly contributing to the advancement of SDGs 13 (Climate Action) and 14 (Life Below Water).

Invited speakers will also raise awareness of the various initiatives done within the UN-SPIDER program.

Call for Abstracts

Abstracts shall be submitted via the registration form, no later than 15 June 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.
When submitting abstracts for this workshop, please note that presentation of concrete case studies, pilot projects and lessons learnt is strongly encouraged. Abstracts reporting on activities that have already taken place will be given preference over those primarily focused on theories, concepts and plans for the future.

Selected speakers will be informed by the end of June 2025.

WORKING LANGUAGE

The working language of the Workshop will be English. All participants are required to have good English language skills.

SPONSORSHIP

Sponsorship of the workshop is open to interested entities who may contact the IAF at workshop@iafastro.org.

EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS

The Workshop is being planned for a total of 150 participants. They include technical experts, innovators, educators, policy- and decision-makers from international, regional, national and local institutions, United Nations agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, research and development institutions, and also from industry.
Participants will be selected up to the maximum capacity of the room, based on relevant professional and/or academic experience.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Within the limited financial resources available, the IAF and the UN-SPIDER program may provide support to a few individuals selected as a speaker and whose nationality is classified as a developing country. They will be selected on a competitive basis, depending on their place of origin and relevant professional or educational background. For the list of developing countries, please refer to the annex of the "World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025" report, available at https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/world-economic-situation-and-prospects-2025/
This support could include (1) a round trip air-ticket - most economic fare - between the airport of international departure in their home country and Sydney; and/or (2) accommodation and meals for the duration of the workshop; and/or (3) a free registration to the International Astronautical Congress held immediately after the workshop.

Please note that this support will only be considered for applicants who submit an abstract that is retained for a presentation in the workshop programme.

AUSTRALIAN VISA

Please check what type of Australian visa you will need here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing# Applicants who need a visa should choose between the eVisitor (Subclass 651) or the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600 – Business Visa Stream), depending on their eligibility for each.

LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE

Health insurance for each of the selected participants is necessary and is the responsibility of the person or his/her institution or Government. The IAF will not assume any responsibility for life and health insurance, nor for expenses related to medical treatment or accidents.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For additional information on the Workshop programme, please contact the IAF at workshop@iafastro.org.