ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host a three-day international space conference featuring delegates from over 25 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America and Oceania tomorrow, Tuesday, state-run media reported.
The three-day International Conference on Applications of Space Science and Technology (ICAST-2025) will be held in Islamabad from Nov. 18-20. Organized jointly by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) and the Institute of Space Technology (IST), the conference is being held under the theme ‘Space for Sustainable Development.’
According to state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), the global conference will underscore the growing role of space-based solutions in addressing global challenges.
“ICAST-2025 is expected to be one of the largest space-related gatherings in the region, drawing more than 2,000 participants, including over 70 international delegates from 25 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, and Oceania,” APP reported.
The conference will be attended by senior officials from global space organizations, renowned scientists, researchers, astronauts, policymakers and industry experts, the state media said.
Participants will engage in panel discussions, seminars, plenary sessions, masterclasses and a series of technical sessions covering emerging trends in satellite technologies, climate monitoring, geospatial intelligence, and AI-driven applications.
“A dedicated Technology Exhibition and a technical poster display will highlight cutting-edge innovations and ongoing research projects from across the world,” the report said.
APP said the conference will also include a ‘Meet the Astronauts Forum’ featuring astronauts from Türkiye, Mongolia and the US. The astronauts will interact with students, share personal spaceflight experiences and inspire the youth to pursue careers in space science and exploration, the report added.
The conference will also seek to strengthen Pakistan’s international collaborations, with Islamabad expected to sign several memorandums of understanding with institutions from Kazakhstan, Tunisia, Senegal, Bangladesh and Iraq, APP said.
“These agreements aim to enhance joint research, capacity building, and knowledge sharing in the fields of space science and technology,” the state-run outlet said.
The initiative highlights Pakistan’s efforts in bolstering its space program. Last month, the South Asian country launched its first Hyperspectral Satellite (HS-1) from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
The satellite joined Pakistan’s growing remote-sensing fleet, including the PRSS-1 launched in 2018 and two Earth-observation satellites— EO-1 and KS-1— placed in orbit earlier this year.
A Pakistani astronaut will also train at the Chinese space station and be part of upcoming short-duration spaceflight missions as a payload specialist, China announced last month.
