9 May 2025 – New Delhi, India-The fourth edition of the IAF Global Space Exploration Conference 2025 took place on 7 – 9 May in New Delhi, India. The conference was hosted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and co-hosted by the Astronautical Society of India (ASI). More than 1,500 participants from 36 countries attended the event, making it the largest IAF Global Conference ever organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF).
Under the theme “Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance“, GLEX 2025 kicked off with a magnificent Opening Ceremony combining traditional Indian performances and high-level speeches. Honorable Minister of State for Space Jitendra SINGH highlighted the tremendous development of India’s space sector: “For India, in 2025 sky is no longer the limit”. IAF President Clay MOWRY thanked ISRO and acknowledged India’s space achievements: “You should be very proud as a country, you have inspired the world with your incredible accomplishments”.
His Excellency Shri Narendra MODI, Prime Minister of India, addressed the GLEX 2025 delegates with a video message: “By 2040 an Indian footprint will be on the Moon. For India, space is about exploration as much as empowerment. Let us together write a new chapter in space exploration for a better tomorrow”.
Director General of ESA Josef ASCHBACHER pointed out that “ESA’s collaboration with international partners such as ISRO exemplifies the power of shared expertise and resources.”
During GLEX 2025, several countries including UAE, China, Türkiye, Canada, Japan and European countries unveiled ambitious plans such as landing humans on the Moon within the next few years and echoed a shared consensus on the vital importance of international cooperation.
As part of the IAF International Astronauts Chapter, the conference proudly featured an esteemed group of ten astronauts. One of the astronauts sessions titled “Life Between Worlds – The Astronauts’ Experience” featured a panel of space explorers — including the first Indian, first Turkish and first Emirati astronaut. In addition, the astronauts actively engaged with the public and students, inspiring the next generation and promoting the benefits of space exploration.
Next year, the IAF Global Conferences journey will continue in Kigali, Rwanda with the IAF Global Space Conference on Climate Change (GLOC 2026) on 2-4 June 2026. This will be the second edition of an IAF global conference focused on space for climate action following the GLOC 2023 in Oslo, Norway.
