An Uzbek delegation met with NASA leadership to discuss opportunities for cooperation in space technology, satellite data utilization and scientific research. The meeting took place on October 8, 2026, on the sidelines of the 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC-2026) in Antalya, Türkiye.
The meeting was attended by Uzbekistan’s Minister of Digital Technologies, Sherzod Shermatov; Director of the Uzcosmos Agency, Shukhrat Kadirov; and NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson.
Key Areas of Cooperation
The discussions focused on Uzbekistan’s and the United States’ priorities in the space sector, potential joint projects and ways to move bilateral cooperation towards practical implementation.
The main areas discussed included:
- Developing space technologies;
- Making more effective use of satellite data;
- Earth observation and remote sensing;
- Implementing scientific research projects;
- Training highly qualified specialists for the space sector.
Satellite data can help monitor and analyze changes on Earth. Potential applications include agriculture, water resource management, environmental monitoring and tracking natural hazards. However, no specific operational projects resulting from the NASA meeting have been announced so far.
Samarkand to Host the International Astronautical Congress in 2028
Another key topic was the International Astronautical Congress (IAC-2028), scheduled to take place in Samarkand in 2028.
The participants exchanged views on NASA’s potential participation in the event and opportunities to showcase joint projects and scientific and technological initiatives during the congress.
The IAC brings together space agencies, research institutions, universities and private companies from around the world. Hosting the congress in Samarkand could provide Uzbekistan with opportunities to strengthen international partnerships, facilitate knowledge exchange among local researchers and specialists, and showcase the country’s capabilities in the space sector.
Next Steps for Cooperation
Following the meeting, both sides expressed interest in developing long-term, practical cooperation in the space sector, strengthening existing ties and advancing new joint projects.
No specific funding amount, approved joint programme or implementation timeline was announced as part of the meeting. Therefore, the discussions should be understood as an exploration of future cooperation opportunities rather than confirmation that new NASA–Uzbekistan projects have already been launched.
