Asia-Pacific Regional IAU Meeting (APRIM2026)

We are honoured to announce the following distinguished plenary speakers for APRIM2026:

• Prof. Matthew Bailes (Shaw Prize Laureate in Astronomy 2023, Swinburne, Australia);
  Contribution: Discovery of fast radio bursts
• Prof. Tamara Davis (Professor, The University of Queensland Australia)
• Prof. Yang GAO (Director of Centre for AI Robotics in Space Sustainability, Co- director of Space Science and Technology Institute, HKUST)
• Prof. Luis C. Ho (Director, Kavli Institute, Peking University, China);
  Contribution: Observational astronomy
• Prof. Hyesung Kang (Pusan National University, South Korea);
  Contribution: Cosmic rays research; IAUGA 2022 National Organizing Committee chair
• Prof. Victoria Kaspi (Shaw Prize Laureate 2021, Canada)
  Contribution: Understanding Magnetars
• Prof. Shri Kulkarni (Shaw Prize Laureate 2024, Caltech, USA);
  Contribution: Time-domain astronomy.
• Prof. Max Pettini (Gruber Cosmology Prize 2025, Cambridge, UK);
  Contribution: Fundamental measurements of deuterium abundance and the baryon density of the universe.
• Dr. Sarah Pearce (SKA-Low Telescope, Australia);
  Contribution: Low frequency radio astronomy
• Prof. Laura Perez (New Horizons Prize in Physics 2024, University of Chile)
  Contribution: Planetary system formation
• Prof. Brian Schmidt (IAU President-Elect, Shaw Prize Laureate 2006, Nobel Laureate, 2011, ANU, Australia);
  Contribution: Accelerating universe discovery
• Prof. Lldar Shaikhislamov (Russian Academy of Sciences);
  Contribution: Exoplanetary atmospheres

APRIM2026  will feature nine thematic tracks reflecting the latest scientific priorities and regional interests:

Astronomy Public Outreach and Education Regional programmes for engaging students and the public through lectures, digital media, and observatory sessions, with a focus on STEM inspiration and science literacy.

Galaxies, AGN and the High Redshift Universe Investigations into galaxy formation and evolution in the early universe, including challenges posed by James Webb Space Telescope data and the epoch of reionisation.

High Energy Astrophysics Studies of black holes, neutron stars, and supernovae, with emphasis on X-rays, gamma rays, cosmic rays, neutrinos, and gravitational messengers.

Gravitational Wave Astronomy Latest results from LIGO and next-generation detectors, offering new insights into compact object mergers and extreme astrophysical phenomena.

The Life Cycle of Stars and Their Planets Advances in stellar evolution, planetary nebulae, supernova remnants, the interstellar medium, and extrasolar planetary systems with implications for life beyond Earth.

Radio, mm and Sub-mm Astronomy Highlights from facilities such as SKA and FAST, recent surveys, and breakthroughs in interferometric techniques across radio wavelengths.

Astronomical Surveys and Time Domain Astronomy Developments in wide-field optical surveys, spectroscopic missions, and time-variable sky studies, with emphasis on the LSST era.

Upcoming Astronomical Facilities Scientific potential of future mega- infrastructures including ELT, GMT, American Roman Space Telescope and the Chinese Xuntian Space Telescope.
Space Sustainability Addressing challenges from satellite mega-constellations and space debris, with discussions on international policy, interference mitigation, and orbital ecosystem viability via a full parallel conference.

Space Sustainability Addressing challenges from satellite mega-constellations and space debris, with discussions on international policy, interference mitigation, and orbital ecosystem viability via a full parallel conference.