Ibadan, 28 January 2026. – International Astronautical Federation (IAF) delegation and representatives of the IAC 2026 Local Organizing Committee have met with Mehmet Fatih Kacır, the Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology, to review the preparation progress for the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026), to be held 5–9 October 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye.
Widely recognized as the world’s largest and most prestigious gathering of the global space community, the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) brings together space agencies, industry leaders, researchers, and innovators shaping the future of the sector. Last year, IAC 2025, hosted by the Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA), was held in Sydney, Australia.
The preparatory meeting for IAC 2026 enjoyed the participation of Yusuf Kıraç, President of the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and host of IAC 2026; Murat İkinci, Vice Chair of the SAHA İstanbul Board, representing SAHA İstanbul as co-host; and Christian Feichtinger, Executive Director of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), together with Elena Fiechtinger, Senior Advisor of the IAF, representing the organizers of IAC 2026.
The discussions consequently addressed Türkiye’s space vision, recent national space projects, the growth of the country’s space industry ecosystem, and the contribution IAC 2026 will make to Türkiye’s international visibility. The discussions also emphasized that IAC 2026 in Antalya will serve as a global platform to showcase Türkiye’s capabilities in space, aviation, and advanced technologies.
Under the theme “The World Needs More Space,” IAC 2026 will subsequently welcome visionary ideas, innovative technologies, and pioneering research. Likewise, the global space community will gather in Antalya to shape a future where space remains secure, accessible, and shared for the benefit of all.
