The capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, hosts the 386th International Astronomical Union Symposium from November 13 to 17.
The event gathers around 200 participants, including scientists, politicians, stakeholders, and associations.
The five-day symposium follows the main theme of the event, "Dark Sky and Astronomical Heritage in Boosting Astrotourism around the World". It allows scientists to present new astronomical research, opens discussion on new mechanisms for international astrotourism, and promotes strategies to protect the dark skies of the world.
This year's edition of the event is the fourth one held in Africa and the second ever in Ethiopia.
Еhe main coordinators of the event are the Ethiopian Space Science and Spatial Institute, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, the Ministry of Tourism and the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
The IAU is a non-governmental organization founded in 1919. Its primary purpose is to promote astronomical research, science, and development through international cooperation. Additionally, one of the functions of the organization is to define and assign official names to astronomical objects and principles.