IAC 2026 in Antalya draws 7,604 delegates; Geneva to host 2029 congress

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) says the 77th International Astronautical Congress ran in Antalya, Türkiye, from 5 to 9 October 2026. Registered attendance was 7,604 people representing 113 countries, and the biggest delegations came from the host country, the US, Germany, Italy and China.

Among the main sessions were the third Global Space Leaders Summit, with 49 space agency heads, and the 16th ministers and parliamentarians meeting, with 195 attendees from 40 countries. A public day attracted over 4,000 visitors, mostly under-17 students, and more than 30 astronauts attended.

The IAF General Assembly picked Geneva to host the 2029 congress. Fifty-one organisations joined during the event, lifting membership past 621 organisations in 84 countries, among them Bolivia and the Maldives. Poznań, Poland, hosts IAC 2027.

Why it matters: The congress is the main annual forum where space agencies, ministers and industry set cooperation agendas. Growing membership and wider country participation shape access to partnerships, which matters for emerging space programmes, including African ones.