UPDATES WITH REMARKS BY HEAD OF TURKISH SPACE AGENCY
By Sengul Azbay, Cem Ali Kus and Ruslan Rehimov
BAKU, Azerbaijan / KOCAELI, Türkiye (AA) – The scenic resort of Antalya on the Turkish Riviera will host the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in 2026, the country’s industry and technology minister announced on Friday.
“Türkiye won the race and Antalya will host the world's largest space congress in 2026. May it be beneficial to our country and nation. Believe me, this is our shared success, and shared source of pride,” Mehmet Fatih Kacir said during a technology event in the northwestern Kocaeli province.
Stressing that everyone who believes in Türkiye’s future can make great contributions to such successes, he said science, research and development, innovation, and entrepreneurship all play important roles in scaling even more heights in the decades ahead.
“These achievements are the results of the world's careful follow-up of our achievements so far. I believe that together we will accomplish much greater things in the Century of Türkiye,” he added.
This year’s 74th International Astronautical Congress is taking place in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku.
Serdar Huseyin Yildirim, head of the Turkish Space Agency (TUA), told reporters that Azerbaijan had successfully organized this year’s congress.
“We took part with a strong team not only as TUA but also with all our partners and stakeholders. We also got the award for the most active stand and the best networking group,” Yildirim added.
"The awareness of space among the Turkish people and our young people will increase greatly. Türkiye also aims to reach the moon in 2026. We will crown this step with the congress. Türkiye’s place in the world space community will rise much higher,” he said.
*Writing by Gozde Bayar