During the event, Türkiye's vision for space, future goals, and plans related to hosting the Antalya congress were shared. A lottery drawing was held at the end of the program, with participants from various countries receiving gifts from Turkish companies and universities.
TUA President Yusuf Kıraç said they were represented strongly in Sydney and spoke about Türkiye's space vision. "We have nine distinguished companies here.
Türkiye's top two technical universities, Middle East Technical University and Istanbul Technical University, are present with their projects. Additionally, our youth and students are here with their papers. The main reason behind all this effort is to prepare for Antalya," Kıraç said.
Kıraç expressed high expectations for the congress to be held in Antalya from October 5-9, 2026, adding, "About 7,000 people attended this year in Sydney. We believe more than 10,000 will participate in Antalya. Because Antalya is geographically closer, we expect many companies to join. This will be a historic opportunity for Türkiye.
Young people and the private sector need to take a bigger role in this field. Today, we have the future engineers and scientists here. Our universities provide very strong education. Our goal is to engage these young talents in projects in Türkiye. While the global economy grows at about 3% annually, the space economy grows three times faster. The market, currently worth $600 billion, is expected to reach $1.8 trillion in 10 years. As Türkiye, our public institutions, private sector, universities, and startups should take a bigger share of this growth."
Kıraç also announced that he will serve as vice president in the IAF management for the first time as a Turkish representative. "IAF has more than 600 members today. Türkiye's active involvement in this network is critical for our companies to engage in international cooperation. Our goal is to organize the Antalya event perfectly," he said.
In a presentation promoting Antalya, Kıraç highlighted the city's historical and cultural richness. "Antalya is the world's fourth most visited city. It's not only about tourism but also unique in terms of culture, history, and hospitality. Antalya, home to the Caretta caretta turtles, offers a unique atmosphere where nature and science meet," he added.
Türkiye's Consul General in Sydney, Belgin Ergüneş, said Türkiye was attending the congress with a strong team. "Space studies are not just scientific curiosity but also a strategic field shaping humanity's common future. We are proud to be here with the Turkish Space Agency, Ministry of Industry and Technology, and leading companies in the sector," she said.
Ergüneş emphasized that Antalya's hosting of the congress reflects the international community's appreciation of Türkiye's determination in space. "The 77th congress in Antalya will be a crucial platform to advance scientific and technological cooperation," she added.
IAF Executive Director Christian Feichtinger said the 2026 congress in Antalya would offer a unique experience. "We are already focused on the 77th congress in Antalya. Türkiye approaches space with great passion. Antalya will provide an exceptional hosting experience with its cultural heritage, tourist appeal, and hospitality," he said.
Feichtinger noted that Türkiye's rising role in space is closely monitored by the federation. "Türkiye's increasing role in the space ecosystem attracts worldwide attention. Antalya will be the ideal meeting point to celebrate this rise," he added.
Turkish astronaut Tuva Cihangir Atasever highlighted the opportunities microgravity research offers to science. "Microgravity allows experiments impossible on Earth. This enables the development of new treatments and materials. Our goal is to produce technologies that benefit not only our country but all humanity," she said.
Atasever emphasized that space research carries a humanitarian mission as well. "Every experiment in space is a step toward making life on Earth more sustainable. Our vision is to expand the frontiers of science while benefiting humanity." She added that Türkiye's vision aligns with the slogan, "The world needs more space."
Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravcı said, "Antalya, like Istanbul, is a center that brings different cultures together. It is a large platform that brings together space industry initiatives and stakeholders. Türkiye will take on the role of uniting all stakeholders under one roof in this collaboration."
Gezeravcı recalled that the manned space mission is dedicated to the Republic's 100th anniversary, stating, "We joined the game late, but that was just the beginning. Now we are inside the game and determined to take on more critical roles in the space ecosystem."
Advisor to the Minister of Industry and Technology Emine Doğrukök expressed great happiness about Antalya hosting IAC 2026, saying, "Antalya is one of the most visited cities in the world. We can't wait to see you all there."
The event concluded with a promotional video about Antalya and a raffle. Participants shared their excitement about Türkiye's growing international visibility in space and the upcoming 2026 congress in Antalya.
Before the event, TUA President Yusuf Kıraç visited the United Arab Emirates Space Pavilion and then guided the UAE Space Agency General Manager H.E. Eng. Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi and Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization Secretary-General Jiang Hui around the Turkish Pavilion.
