Azercosmos Deputy Chair Badirkhanov said space cooperation between Türkiye and Azerbaijan would continue to develop at the 77th International Astronautical Congress held in Antalya.
Badirkhanov said the congress, organized by the International Astronautical Federation, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in space activities, space science, technology, innovation and addressing global challenges. He added that the Azerbaijan Space Agency and his country were participating in the event with approximately 100 people.
Badirkhanov said this was Azerbaijan's largest participation among the congresses it had attended over the past 10 years. He noted that young scientists made up the majority of the participants and said their numbers had begun to increase particularly when Azerbaijan hosted the International Astronautical Congress in 2023.
Azerbaijan ranks second in application standings
Badirkhanov said they had established the Azerbaijan Space Academy and a national science team, adding that Azerbaijan ranked second after Türkiye among 108 countries that applied with paper abstracts this year.
Badirkhanov said these indicators demonstrated the interest in space in Azerbaijan and the results of international cooperation. He added that they had participated in presentations and panels held as part of the congress and signed several agreements on space cooperation.
Space industry agreement signed by four countries
Badirkhanov said the "Space Industry Initial Framework Agreement," signed by the Organization of Turkic States members Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, was important for regional cooperation.
Badirkhanov said interest in space was not limited to Azerbaijan but had increased across all members of the Organization of Turkic States. He added that two members had launched their first satellites this year. He noted that the heads of space agencies had been meeting within the organization since 2021 and that cooperation had begun in various fields.
Badirkhanov said one of the most successful areas of these efforts was the development of space capabilities, adding that each member sent its young students every year to space camps in Türkiye's Bursa and Izmir.
Badirkhanov described the "CubeSat" project, developed with the participation of all the countries, as an important and comprehensive initiative. He said the new agreement would establish the legal framework for existing cooperation and enable joint efforts to expand in the future.
Badirkhanov praises Türkiye's space capabilities
Badirkhanov said it was not surprising that Türkiye was hosting the congress, adding that the country had made significant progress in space activities and capabilities in recent years.
Badirkhanov said Türkiye had made advances in telecommunications, Earth observation, capacity development, space infrastructure and space exploration. He added that Azerbaijan was also developing its space activities in every field and noted that they cooperated with partners in Türkiye on every project.
Badirkhanov said the two countries had partnerships in telecommunications, Earth observation and capacity development, adding that Azerbaijani students participated in space camps in Türkiye every year. He also said the Azerbaijan Space Academy had organized a workshop for teachers in Türkiye as part of the congress.
Badirkhanov said further opportunities for cooperation would emerge between Türkiye and Azerbaijan as space activities developed, adding that joint efforts would produce new examples of success.
