Space Diplomacy at Antalya Diplomacy Forum

The esteemed participants including IAF's Executive Director Mr. Christian Feichtinger, EURISY's Chair Ms. Dominique Tilmans, APSCO's President Ms. Yu Qi, TUA's President Mr. Yusuf Kıraç, and Turkish Astronaut Mr. Alper Gezeravci came together in a recent enlightening discussion moderated by Dr. Ayhan Incirci on #SpaceDiplomacy at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum which was held on 1-3 March 2024 in Antalya. It is expressed deep inspiration from the collective knowledge and expertise shared by distinguished speakers and participants . The session delved into the essential role that international space organizations play in cultivating cooperation across borders, emphasizing the peaceful utilization of space and how these diplomatic efforts help build bridges for global collaboration.

The session highlighted the tremendous power of collaboration through initiatives such as joint missions, shared research, and cooperative agreements. Experts underscored the importance of continuing to strengthen these partnerships in order to prevent the weaponization of space and to ensure its use for the collective good of all nations.

A special thanks were extended to the speakers for their invaluable contributions, which greatly enriched the discussion. Their expertise and enthusiasm deepened the understanding of the challenges and opportunities in space diplomacy.

As part of the preparation process for IAC 2026, addressing the topic of space diplomacy at a prestigious event such as the Antalya Diplomacy Forum—with the participation of representatives from key institutions that are also important stakeholders of the IAC—has had a significant impact on "Raising Space Awareness", a key objective of Türkiye’s National Space Program.