Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) may be held in Uzbekistan in 2028, with Samarkand proposed as the host city.

The IAC is one of the world’s largest space-related forums, annually bringing together around 10,000 industry leaders, representatives of leading companies, and scientific agencies. The congress serves not only as a platform for the exchange of knowledge but also as a vital channel for attracting investment to the host country.

In recent years, the IAC has been held in Milan (2024), Baku (2023), Paris (2022), Dubai (2021), Washington (2019), Bremen (2018), and Adelaide (2017), delivering tangible results to host nations — from the creation of national space agencies to the launch of interplanetary missions.

Uzcosmos expects that hosting the congress in Samarkand will attract foreign investors to the construction of research centers, technology parks, and incubators, as well as open new opportunities for joint research and the development of startups.

The Executive Director of the International Astronautical Federation, Christian Feichtinger, has already visited Samarkand and Tashkent to review infrastructure, safety standards, and event facilities, and to meet with representatives of ministries and government agencies.

The legal framework for such initiatives is provided by the Presidential Decree of Uzbekistan “On Measures to Introduce Aerospace Technologies in Economic Sectors for 2024–2026.”