The international Space Days Kazakhstan 2026 forum has kicked off in Astana at Nazarbayev University, bringing together representatives of government agencies, international organizations, space agencies, the scientific community, technology companies and investors.

The forum focuses on the international space agenda, new technologies in the space industry and their application for sustainable development, as well as strengthening global cooperation in the space sector.

The opening of the forum began with a plenary session. Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhaslan Madiyev addressed the participants with welcoming remarks.

“Three key priorities - data, technology and people - will enable Kazakhstan to develop competitive space products and services. This is precisely why we initiated the international Space Days Kazakhstan forum. This forum is only beginning its history, and we expect it to deliver practical results, concrete agreements and new joint projects. We intend to make Space Days Kazakhstan a traditional international platform, consistently expanding its scale and strengthening its standing in the global space community,” - said Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhaslan Madiyev.

The Minister also emphasized that, for Kazakhstan, outer space should serve the interests of all humanity, remain a domain of peaceful cooperation, unite countries around common goals and benefit all nations and peoples. At the same time, space technologies should have practical applications, contribute to economic development, improve the efficiency of public administration and enhance the quality of life of citizens.

According to him, by 2030, Kazakhstan plans to establish an international Earth observation satellite constellation consisting of nine satellites. It will include six Kazakh satellites, as well as spacecraft from Mongolia, the Republic of the Congo and Nigeria. He emphasized Kazakhstan’s openness to cooperation with new partners and noted that the constellation could eventually be expanded to 14 satellites.

In addition, Kazakhstan is working to replace the KazSat-3 satellite with a new spacecraft, KazSat-3R. This will help ensure the sustainability of the national satellite communications system and bring it in line with modern technological requirements.

On the first day of Space Days Kazakhstan 2026, panel sessions will be held on key areas of space industry development. Participants will discuss the role of satellite communications in ensuring the country’s digital sovereignty, the development of the satellite infrastructure-based services market, and the use of satellite data for water resource management.

Particular attention will be paid to the application of artificial intelligence onboard space systems, cooperation among regional space agencies, current challenges and prospects for international cooperation.

The forum will also address the development of international space tourism and the future prospects of the global space industry.