Tashkent Becomes the Center of Space Communication in Central Eurasia
2026-04-02 19:40:00 / News of ministry
The conference was attended by approximately 500 delegates, comprising representatives of space agencies and relevant organizations from the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, the United States of America, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, the Sultanate of Oman, Singapore, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Myanmar.
Furthermore, approximately 40 internationally operating companies holding prominent positions in the global space market participated in the event. These included Axiom Space, Planet Labs, Capella Space, Hydrosat, VAST, Octave, Star.Vision, China Academy of Space Technology, Kratos Defense, Airbus, Eutelsat, Synspective, Orbitworks, Nara Space, Oman Lens, 4iG Space & Defense Technologies, Türksat, Intersputnik, Kacific, Kazakh Engineering, and SES.
In the course of the conference, more than 100 bilateral and multilateral meetings were conducted, during which proposals and recommendations pertaining to the development of bilateral cooperation, investment attraction, and the implementation of joint projects were deliberated upon.
Additionally, dedicated national briefings were organized by three participating states — Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan — wherein national space programmes, investment opportunities, and prospective development plans were formally presented.
Of particular significance was the participation of the heads of three major international organizations:
• Christian Feichtinger, Executive Director of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF)
• Kubanichbek Omuraliev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS)
• JIANG Hui, Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO)
The dialogues conducted with the involvement of these organizations created a substantive basis for elevating regional and global cooperation to a qualitatively new level.
A further notable event held within the framework of the conference was the Central Asian Youth Forum on Space Monitoring of Drought, at which young specialists and researchers examined the potential of space technologies in addressing pressing challenges such as climate change, water resource scarcity, and agricultural monitoring. The Forum played a meaningful role in engaging the younger generation with the space sector and fostering innovative thinking.
The conference was also honored by the attendance of world-renowned astronauts Michael López-Alegría and Alper Gezeravcı, whose participation enhanced the prestige of the event and provided delegates with a unique opportunity to gain firsthand insight into practical experience and scientific achievements in the field of space exploration.
Michael López-Alegría is recognized as one of NASA's most distinguished astronauts, having participated in six space missions, accumulated more than 296 days in space, and performed ten extravehicular activities — a record within NASA's history.
Alper Gezeravcı holds the distinction of being the first astronaut in the history of Turkey. His spaceflight represented not only a personal milestone but also carried profound symbolic significance for the nation as a whole, serving as a catalyst for the advancement of national space programmes.
Space Technology Conference 2026 transcended the boundaries of a conventional scientific gathering, constituting a landmark event that has shaped the space-oriented future of Central Asia. The conference reaffirmed that Tashkent is emerging as a pivotal crossroads of space technologies and innovation. The outcomes of this event indicate that the region holds considerable potential to become one of the more active participants in the global space sector in the years ahead.