Opening ceremony of 74th International Astronautical Congress held in Baku

The opening ceremony of the 74th International Astronautical Congress, which will last until October 6, took place in Baku, Report informs.

President Ilham Aliyev spoke at the opening ceremony of the 74th International Astronautical Congress, held at the Baku Congress Center.

The head of state noted the importance of holding this event.

The congress held today in Baku will contribute to the development of the space industry, advanced technologies and its modernization in Azerbaijan, said President Ilham Aliyev, emphasizing that modernization reflects Azerbaijan’s vision and plans for the future.

During the period of independence, Azerbaijan became an active member of the international community, he said. Azerbaijan’s policy has always been clear, transparent and unambiguous, serving to strengthen cooperation, the head of state said.

Clay Mowry, president of the International Astronautical Federation, greeting all participants of the congress, touched upon its significance.

The role of the International Astronautical Congress is now even more important in uniting the entire space community in difficult geopolitical times, he said.

Next spoke Israeli military historian and medievalist, author of the international bestseller "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humanity" Yuval Harari. He revealed the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) in space exploration and colonization of the galaxy.

Human exploration of space has always been strictly limited by the fact that humans are organic beings and, over billions of years of evolution, have been adapted to the unique conditions of this planet, he added. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to keep a person or any other organic being alive in space or on another planet, while artificial intelligence has no such restrictions, Harari said.

The ceremony ended with a concert program.