In 2026, Antalya hosted a historic event that turned the world's eyes towards space. The 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) took place on 5–9 October 2026 at NEST Congress Center in Belek, Serik.

The world's most prestigious space gathering, the congress was organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), hosted by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA) and co-hosted by the SAHA Istanbul Aerospace Cluster. Held in Türkiye for the first time in the IAC's 75-year history, it reflected the country's rising role on the global space stage.

Under the theme "The World Needs More Space", the congress brought together space agencies, industry representatives, research centres, policymakers and professionals from around the world. The programme featured plenary sessions, technical conferences, high-level events such as the IAF International Meeting for Ministers and Members of Parliaments (MMoP) and the Global Space Leaders Summit (GSLS), and an exhibition showcasing the latest technologies in exploration, Earth observation, telecommunications and navigation.

In the days before the congress, side events were also held at NEST Congress Center, including the 33rd joint workshop organized by UNOOSA (UN Office for Outer Space Affairs) and the IAF, and the Space Generation Congress for early-career space professionals.

Antalya — a city carrying the traces of thousands of years of history — hosting this major gathering where the future of humanity in space was discussed brought the past and the future onto the same stage. With its 15,000 m² indoor area and world-class infrastructure, NEST Congress Center once again proved to be one of the few venues capable of welcoming international congresses of this scale.