7-9 September 2026 sees the Space Days Kazakhstan conference take place in the capital city, Astana, with thousands of people expected to come along and learn about the international space agenda, among other things.
As well as the space programme, the event, organised by the AI & Digital Ministry, the Aerospace Committee of MAIDD RK, and Astana EXPO, will introduce guests to new technology being used in the space industry. People will learn how these developments can be used to enhance global cooperation and sustainable development.
According to Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
“We intend to make Space Days Kazakhstan a regular international platform, steadily expanding its scale and strengthening its standing within the global space community.”
He believes that space programmes should be for the benefit of humanity, a platform for peaceful cooperation, in a way that the shared goals of nations and peoples around the world ultimately enhance quality of life for the common good.
Last year, the same event took place in Almaty and featured over 900 participants from more than 50 countries. There were also seven astronauts available to speak to the general public.
Speakers this year represent a who’s-who of leading experts in the field, mostly from across Asia, the principal delegates including Tuimebayev Z.K, the Rector of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, and Mr Driss El Hadani, who is the Deputy Director of UN COPUOS.
They will all meet at Nazarbayev University, Astana, whose state-of-the-art infrastructure makes it ideal for an event of this nature, and whose reputation as a leading research university in the field means that it can make a valuable contribution beyond simply supplying the venue.
According to Malik Olzhabekov, the Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
“Kazakhstan’s space industry is developing in a variety of directions. From basic science to applied technologies. From designing and building satellites to providing communications services, Earth observation and environmental monitoring.”
He also reports that a number of satellites have been launched by the country, with others under development.
