Uzbekistan’s space ambitions: Samarkand bids to host the world’s largest space congress

According to the Space Foundation, the global space economy reached $570 billion in 2023, with commercial revenues accounting for $445 billion. Projections suggest this figure could triple to $1.8 trillion by 2035, with growth outpacing the global GDP and influencing sectors from defense and transportation to food production, retail, and digital communications.

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Uzbekistan is now positioning itself among the emerging players, with Samarkand bidding to host the 2028 International Astronautical Congress (IAC) – one of the world’s largest space forums, drawing around 10,000 scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders annually.

Recent editions have taken place in Azerbaijan, Italy, and Australia.

For 2028, Samarkand faces serious competition, with the host city to be chosen from among Mumbai (India), Manama (Bahrain), and Hefei (China).

Founded in 1951 and based in Paris, the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) serves as a neutral platform for global space dialogue, bringing together 563 member organizations from 81 countries, from government agencies and companies to universities and museums. IAF Executive Director Dr. Christian Feichtinger, visiting Samarkand earlier this month, described the IAC as “the Olympic Games of space.”

“For the International Astronautical Federation, it is very important to support emerging space countries. Uzbekistan is developing this area, and hosting the IAC in Samarkand would greatly boost its space sector and ecosystem,” Dr. Feichtinger said in an interview with Kun.uz during his recent visit to Uzbekistan.

The country’s Uzbekspace agency, formally the Space Research and Technology Agency under the Ministry of Digital Technologies, has been tasked with shaping national space policy, developing infrastructure, and building international partnerships.

For the IAF, according to the guest, inclusivity means supporting countries like Uzbekistan as they build their space sectors, showing how newcomers can develop ecosystems from scratch and use the platform to boost the cooperation between other nations.

Space sustainability is a growing focus, as it was highlighted by the Executive Director. With the number of satellites in orbit growing exponentially, concerns about space traffic management and debris are mounting. Dr. Feichtinger warns: “The rising risk of collisions could render orbits unusable, impacting the entire world.” Although various organizations and countries are addressing these challenges, “there is no globally accepted strategy or enforcement mechanism yet.” He emphasizes that “every country, including emerging space nations may contribute to protecting the orbital environment.”

Emerging space sectors such as space tourism also hold promise. While once reserved for millionaires, falling costs and private-sector innovation could make suborbital and even orbital flights accessible to ordinary citizens. “Sending ordinary people into space inspires entire communities,” the guest noted. “It makes young people think: ‘If it’s possible for them, maybe it’s possible for me.’ That’s exactly the kind of inspiration the sector needs.”

According to the Executive Director, as the largest nation in Central Asia, Uzbekistan could become a regional hub for space cooperation, connecting neighboring states with global partners. He says that, drawing on its historical role as a bridge between East and West, Samarkand’s bid for the IAC is more than a hosting opportunity; it is a declaration of intent for Uzbekistan’s role in shaping the future of space exploration.