Samarkand has been officially selected as the host city for the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in 2028, following a decision announced at this year’s congress in Sydney, Australia. The event will mark the first time the world’s largest space forum is held in Central Asia, underscoring Uzbekistan’s growing role in the global space industry.
A delegation from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Digital Technologies attended the Sydney congress, where it presented the country’s achievements in space research and digital innovation. The delegation also outlined future plans to expand the national space program and strengthen collaboration with international partners.
During the event, Uzbek representatives held meetings with European, Asian, and American space agencies to explore joint projects focused on using digital technologies for space monitoring, agriculture, and environmental management.
The leadership of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) praised Uzbekistan’s scientific potential, the rising interest of young people in space sciences, and the government’s commitment to developing modern infrastructure. These factors played a key role in the decision to select Samarkand as the 2028 host city.
The upcoming congress is expected to provide a major platform for advancing global cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. Beyond its scientific importance, the IAC is anticipated to deliver strong economic benefits. The 2023 edition in Sydney generated approximately 42mn Australian dollars (around $27mn) for the host economy.
Hosting the IAC in Samarkand is projected to attract over 10,000 international participants and generate significant opportunities for Uzbekistan’s tourism, services, and entrepreneurship sectors—further positioning the country as a rising hub for scientific and technological exchange in the region.
