A high-level institutional delegation, led by the Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, and the Minister of Business and Labour, Miquel Sàmper, is participating in this decisive week for the selection of the host city. The bid has the support of 177 institutions, companies, and reference organizations from the international space sector, including the UN, the ESA, and the EUSPA.
Accompanying the delegation are senior officials from the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC) and the Spanish Space Agency (AEE), as well as representatives from the Barcelona City Council, Fira de Barcelona, and the Barcelona Convention Bureau. The final decision will be made on October 9.
The 'Barcelona IAC 2029' bid has been co-led by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, through the AEE, and the Catalan Department of Business and Labour, in collaboration with the IEEC. The proposal highlights Barcelona's extensive experience in organizing major congresses, its infrastructure, connectivity, and a leading scientific and technological ecosystem.
The director of the IEEC, Xavier Luri, has declared the commitment to unite research institutions, universities, and the space industry to showcase the vibrant space ecosystem to the world. Minister Hereu recalled Barcelona's ability to embrace congresses and return them enhanced, while Councillor Sàmper emphasized the collaboration between administrations for the bid's success.
The director of the AEE, Juan Carlos Cortés, noted that Barcelona witnessed the dawn of the space age 69 years ago and efforts are now underway for it to once again be the place where the international space community writes the next chapter of its history.
