Heaptalk.com – The world’s premier global space event, the annual 74th international astronautical congress (IAC 2023), was held in partnership with the Space Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azerkosmos) and the International Astronautical Federation on October 2-6, 2023 in Baku, Azerbaijan. As a manifestation of the experience gained in the space industry and satelite services, Azerbaijan won the right to host the international astronautical congress in 2023.
More than five thousand guests attended the IAC 2023. Among them were influential representatives of the world space community, representatives of space agencies and companies such as NASA, JAXA, ASI, Airbus, and ISRO, as well as the International Telecommunication Union, the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, the Executive Committee of the Islamis World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), as well as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Turkish Company Baykar Selcuk Bayraktar.
Participating in the Congress’s opening ceremony, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Ilham Aliyev, stated that IAC 2023 will contribute to the development and modernization of the space industry and leading technologies in Azerbaijan
The IAC 2023, held under the theme of “Global Challenges and Opportunities: Give Space a Chance,” created opportunity for establishing strong collaborations, delving into the most recent developments in the sphere of space. It also served as a perfect occasion to reach a diverse international audience through exposure both at the regional and international levels.
This year’s event witnesssed the attendance of hundreds of highly qualified specialists from more than 75 countries.
For the first time, a special program for astronauts was held within the framework of the IAC 2023, in which more than 20 austronauts from the USA, Germany, Russia, Canada, Italy, Japan, and other countries took part.
The other remarkable part of IAC 2023 was the announcement of Tesla and Space X CEO Elon Musk as a winner of the IAF World Space Award for 2023 and his participation at the virtual session of the Congress.
The exhibition, held on the sidelines of the 74th Baku International Astronautical Confress, opened the way to new business opportunities. Stands of space agencies and companies of various countries were displayed in the 8000 square meters exhibition pavilion. A total of 150 companies representing 36 countries were presented at the exhibition.
There was great interest in scientific articles, where up to 3600 scientific articles from 95 countries were submitted to the science competition held within the IAC 2023. It is a matter of pride that 214 articles from young researchers and professors from Azerbaijan were registered at the competition. With this indicator, the 74th International Astronautical Congress held in Baku left behind all the congresses held so far. Thus, after the USA, Italy, India, and China, Azerbaijan is in the top five in the ranking of countries presenting scientific theses.
The IAC 2023 was coupled with unique exposure to an emerging market, first-hand experience of Azerbaijani hospitality, genuine cultural immersion, and the diverse charms of the country.
There is a rich history and symbolic significance behind hosting the International Astronautical Congress in Azerbaijan. Exactly half a century ago, in 1973, during the leadership of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of Azerbaijan and the Founder of the national space industry, the capital of Azerbaijan hosted the International Astronautical Congress for the first time, becoming the first and the only city in the South Caucasus region to convence this type of event.
Azerbaijan has reached significant achievements in the broad application of modern technologies, digital development, and construction of the space industry. In the past years, modern infrastructure for the space industry was created in the country with comprehensive state support, telecommunication satelites. Dependence on foreign satelites was eliminated, and the export of satelite services was started. Thanks to the successful satellite projects, Azerbaijan became a member of the world space family and gained an excellent reputation in the international space community.
It is worth noticing that on 8 august this year, the Republic of Azerbaijan adopted the space law, which plays a regulatory role in space activities and stimulates the space sector’s development. Azerbaijan is among the few countries that have adopted such a law.
Written by: Leyla Atayeva – Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan
