Kazakhstan to Host Space Industry Forum in Almaty This Fall

The international forum Kazakhstan Space Days will be held in Almaty this September, according to Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev, Orda.kz reports.

The event is tentatively set to take place at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

Kazakhstan plans to invite delegates from Europe, the United States, the CIS, and Russia.

When asked about potential challenges posed by inviting representatives from countries with conflicting political stances, the Minister responded:

Madiyev reiterated that Russia remains a key strategic partner in Kazakhstan’s aerospace program, particularly through Baikonur:

We do not see the need to revise the lease terms now, because the agreement is valid until 2050. Lease payments are received annually, and Kazakhstan has received more than three billion dollars in cash and non-cash form during this entire time. Therefore, $115 million will also be received annually. 

Despite growing geopolitical tensions, the space sector remains one of the few areas where international cooperation continues. Kazakhstan sees the forum as a platform for maintaining dialogue.

Kazakhstan Space Days has been held since 2013 and resumed in 2024 after a pandemic-related hiatus.

Over the years, it has welcomed representatives from more than 25 countries, including organizations such as Roscosmos, Airbus Defence and Space, OneWeb, Thales Alenia Space, Eutelsat, Satrec Initiative, and Leica Geosystems, along with Kazakh cosmonauts, lawmakers, and members of the diplomatic corps.

Original Author: Kamila Ermakhanova