Pakistan is set to host a landmark international scientific gathering as it welcomes the global space community to its flagship space event — the International Conference on Applications of Space Science and Technology (ICAST–2025).

Scheduled from November 18 to 20 at the Institute of Space Technology (IST), Islamabad, the conference is designed to promote global dialogue, innovation, and collaboration in space science and technology, Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) said in a press releasae.

Jointly organised by the SUPARCO and IST, ICAST–2025 is being held in collaboration with leading international partners, including the Inter-Islamic Network on Space Science and Technology (ISNET), the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organisation (APSCO), the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), along with the National Center of GIS and Space Applications (NCGSA).

“Bringing together leading scientists, researchers, students, policymakers, astronauts, academicians, and the representatives of international organisations, ICAST–2025, centered around the theme Space for Sustainable Development, will provide a dynamic platform to explore and debate the expanding role of space science and technology in addressing complex global challenges,” said the SUPARCO.

From climate change and food security to disaster resilience and sustainable infrastructure, the conference will highlight how space-based solutions can drive socio-economic progress, enable data-driven decision-making, and strengthen international cooperation, while emphasising inclusivity and the collective benefit of humanity, it added.

The conference, it said, will gather participants from more than 25 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America and Oceania, including over 70 international delegates. Participating nations include Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkiye, United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

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Expected to bring together over 2,000 participants, the conference will serve as a key hub for international collaboration and idea exchange in the space domain.

The three-day conference will feature ISNET’s Strategic Leadership Forum (SLS), three specialised seminars, three panel discussions, five plenary sessions, 12 masterclasses, and 23 technical sessions spanning eight conference tracks: Aeronautics & Astronautics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Satellite Technology, Positioning Navigation & Timing (PNT), Remote Sensing & GIS, Environmental Science and Climate Change, Informational and Communication Technologies (ICT), and Space Law, Management & Outreach. Complementing these are a Scientific Poster Session, a Technology Exhibition Forum, and the special Meet the Astronauts Forum featuring astronauts from Turkiye, Mongolia, and the United States.

The sessions of ICAST–2025 are designed to offer students, researchers, industry professionals and the public an unparalleled experience filled with opportunities to engage with local and global experts.

A special highlight of the programme will be a dedicated session on Moon Sighting: Scientific, Religious and Technological Perspectives, bringing together international experts to discuss observational methods, cultural practice, and modern satellite-based approaches.

The programme also emphasises geospatial and satellite-based applications, with special sessions aligned with GIS Day 2025, focusing on Earth observation, climate monitoring, and the role of artificial intelligence in geospatial decision-making.

In addition, the conference carries significant diplomatic and strategic value, hosting the 14th Governing Body Meeting (GBM) of ISNET and facilitating the signing on multiple Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with different space agencies and international organisations from Asia Pacific Region, Bangladesh, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Senegal, Tunisia, etc., to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the domain of peaceful uses of space science and technology.

SUPARCO said the conference will catalyse global partnerships, accelerate innovation in the developing world, and promote space technologies as drivers of peace, progress and prosperity, making ICAST–2025 a landmark event of global visibility, scientific achievement and national pride.