From May 7 to 9, 2025, New Delhi hosted the 12th Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2025) at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka. The event, themed "Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance," was inaugurated by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and brought together over 1,800 delegates from 36 countries, highlighting India's growing prominence in the global space arena.

Key Highlights:

• Inauguration and Theme: Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the conference, emphasizing India's transition from a follower to a global enabler in space exploration. 
• Global Participation: The conference saw participation from over 1,800 attendees, including 233 international delegates from 36 countries. 
• Academic Engagement: A record 1,275 abstracts were submitted from 57 countries, with 64% from India and 36% from international contributors. Notably, students contributed 562 abstracts, reflecting growing global interest among the youth. 
• Technical Sessions: The event featured 10 parallel technical sessions covering 15 thematic areas, with over 240 interactive presentations. 
• Space Exhibition: Dr. Singh inaugurated a space exhibition showcasing 22 stalls from Indian space startups, global space companies, and ISRO, highlighting advancements and collaborations in space technology. 
• Astronaut Outreach: The conference included an astronaut outreach program featuring nearly 10 astronauts, including Rakesh Sharma (India), Hazzaa AlMansoori (UAE), and Michael López-Alegría (USA/Spain), engaging with students and young professionals. 
• International Dignitaries: Prominent figures such as Josef Aschbacher (ESA), Kazuyoshi Kawasaki (JAXA), Wu Weiren (China), and Salem Al Marri (UAE) addressed the plenary sessions, reinforcing the conference's global significance. 

GLEX 2025 underscored India's commitment to peaceful and inclusive space exploration, positioning the nation as a key player in global space diplomacy and innovation.