Antalya:Thirty-two participants from 21 countries have adopted the Antalya Declaration at the International Astronautical Congress' (IAC) Ministers and Members of Parliament Meeting (MMoP), marking a significant first in the event's history.

According to Anadolu Agency, Türkiye's Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir expressed satisfaction with the endorsement by ministers, parliamentarians, and space agency heads. The declaration reaffirms the International Astronautical Federation's (IAF) role in fostering global cooperation and encourages other nations and organizations to join the commitment.

The meeting in Antalya included representatives from 38 countries, who discussed issues such as the peaceful exploration of space, space law, and integrating developing countries into the global space ecosystem. The congress is organized by the IAF with Türkiye's Ministry of Industry and Technology, the Turkish Space Agency, and SAHA Istanbul as co-hosts.

Kacir highlighted the Antalya Declaration's role in uniting participants around peace and cooperation in space, initiated by Türkiye in line with President Erdogan's vision for international collaboration. He stressed the importance of space-based capabilities for everyday life, economic activity, and disaster management, emphasizing that technological progress must translate into tangible benefits for society.

The global space economy, driven increasingly by private sector innovation, reached $686 billion in 2025, with entrepreneurship playing a crucial role. Kacir noted Türkiye's focus on supporting startups and innovation, with initiatives like the BIGG program providing significant resources to the venture capital ecosystem.

Additionally, Kacir discussed Türkiye's plans for a lunar mission in 2027, featuring a spacecraft with a domestic production rate of over 80% and a hybrid propulsion system. This mission is expected to demonstrate Türkiye's engineering capabilities and commitment to advancing its space exploration goals.