BAKU, Oct 3 (NNN-TNA) – The global space community gathered yesterday, for the 74th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, exactly 50 years after the city hosted the 24th IAC.
Addressing the opening ceremony, President of the International Astronautical Federation, Clay Mowry, highlighted “sustainability, investments and security” as the main topics of the event.
Delegates were greeted in a video message by Chinese astronauts Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu, and Gui Haichao of China’s space station Tiangong, who surprisingly demonstrated a historical photograph of young Ilham Aliyev, current president of Azerbaijan, accompanying his father, former President Heydar Aliyev, at the 24th IAC in 1973.
“I’m very grateful to all our guests and especially to our brave Chinese astronauts,” said President Ilham Aliyev, adding that, the photo is very dear to him.
In his remarks, President Aliyev hailed Azerbaijan’s latest achievements in the space industry, as the country earlier launched two telecommunication satellites and one Earth observation satellite.
The IAC will definitely give a new impetus to the development of the space industry and high-tech and innovation sector of our country, he said.
The IAC is an annual meeting of space industry experts to explore the untapped potential of space for the benefit of humanity.– NNN-TNA
