International Space Weather Initiative:
AI-Enabled Space Weather for Global Cooperation and Capacity Building
7 - 11 September 2026
Seoul, Republic of Korea
Co-organized by
the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA),
the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA), and
the Korea Space Weather Center (KSWC)
Co-Sponsored by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (MoFA),
the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI),
the Korean Space Science Society (KSSS),
the Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science (KIEES),
the Kyung Hee University (KHU),
the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST),
the ChungBuk National University (CBNU),
the Chungnam National University (CNU),
the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG),
the Seoul Tourism Organization (STO),
the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG), and
the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
Available Information
- Information Note
- Application Form (Deadline: Friday, 5 June 2026)
Introduction
Space weather is an inherently international matter. Solar and magnetic storms affect large regions of the Earth simultaneously and equatorial ionospheric disturbances occur routinely around the world. It is therefore appropriate for the United Nations to promote improvements in space weather modelling and forecasting for the benefit of all nations.
The International Space Weather Initiative (ISWI) was launched in 2009 and has developed research capacities in the scientific disciplines of Sun-Earth relations and space weather in many countries around the world. ISWI has established a platform that takes a bottom-up approach to produce space weather-literate communities to be able to work together as a network to share ideas, information and data and to develop joint projects.
Through this collaborative framework, ISWI has enabled scientists to use global navigation satellite system data in studies on space weather. These data have brought together scientists from various disciplines (such as seismology, the ionospheric physics and atmospheric science to work in the field of space weather. By building research capacity, ISWI has fostered space weather-literate communities capable of applying the fundamental physics of Sun-Earth relations to societal needs, providing valuable input for policymakers.
All achievements of international cooperation and coordination for ISWI, including instrumentation, data analysis, modelling, education, training, and public outreach, are made available through the ISWI Newsletter and the ISWI Website ( https://www.iswi-secretariat.org/).
The theme of the workshop, " AI-Enabled Space Weather for Global Cooperation and Capacity Building ", highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in improving space weather activities including observation, modelling, operation, and forecasting. Building on ISWI's longstanding efforts in deploying instruments and developing research capacities in developing countries, the workshop will provide a platform for scientists, operational service providers, and policymakers to exchange knowledge on AI-based techniques, advanced data analysis, and their integration with existing space weather networks established through ISWI. It is also expected that the workshop will strengthen international cooperation, promote the sharing of data and best practices, and contribute to enhancing global capabilities in space weather researches and related services.
The United Nations/Republic of Korea Workshop on the International Space Weather Initiative: AI-Enabled Space Weather for Global Cooperation and Capacity Building will be held in Seoul, from 7 to 11 September 2026. This workshop is being co-organized by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Korea Space Weather Centre (KSWC) of the Korea AeroSpace Administration.
The workshop is also supported by the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (ICG), the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), the Korean Space Science Society (KSSS), the Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science (KIEES), the Kyung Hee University (KHU), the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), the ChungBuk National University (CBNU), the Chungnam National University (CNU), the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG), the Seoul Tourism Organization (STO), and the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).
Objectives and expected outcomes
The main objectives of this workshop are to continue efforts in the deployment of instruments in developing countries and advancing the interpretation of space weather data; to focus on new research results and findings; and to strengthen international coordination and cooperation on space weather products and services.
The workshop will provide ample time for discussion open to all participants, and networking opportunities, as well as to address in-depth questions and answers on specific topics unique to a particular region.
The expected outcomes of the workshop will be recommendations for improved collection, exchange, and delivery of space weather data, as well as improved operational analysis, modelling and forecasting methods through the promotion of best practices and adoption of AI-based approaches, suggestions of means to improve accuracy, reliability, and interoperability.
The discussions at the workshop will also be linked to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to its targets set out for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The workshop will contribute to:
- SDG 4: Quality Education. Continuation of the efforts in space weather education to better define and characterize severe space weather events and their probability of occurrence and assess their impacts on technological systems.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure in protecting infrastructure from space weather. Effects on the ground can include damage and disruption to power distribution networks, increased pipeline corrosion, and degradation of radio communications.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. International coordination of operational space weather services, including monitoring, forecasting.
Preliminary Programme of the Workshop
The programme of the workshop will include a series of technical presentations addressing the following topics:
- Solar Sources and Heliospheric Propagation
- Solar eruptions - their sources at the Sun, propagation through the heliosphere;
- Flares and their impact on ionosphere, atmosphere, and the flare-Coronal Mass Ejections (CME) relationship;
- Coronal holes, high-speed streams, and the resulting Stream Interaction Regions (SIRs);
- Solar energetic particles and the associated phenomena, including coronal and interplanetary radio bursts;
- Geospace Response and Impacts
- Space weather extreme events and their impact on Geospace (magnetosphere, ionosphere, atmosphere, ground);
- Geomagnetic storms and radiation belt variability driven by CMEs and SIRs;
- Ionospheric irregularities and their effects on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS);
- Spacecraft anomalies and other space weather impacts on technological systems;
- Modelling, Forecasting, and Operations
- Space weather modelling, simulation, and verification;
- AI applications for space weather modelling, forecasting and operations;
- Integration of AI-based tools with existing operational space weather systems;
- Research to Operation & Operation to Research (R2O2R);
- Instrumentation, Education, and Outreach
- Space weather instrumentation, including ISWI instruments and other observing systems;
- Capacity building for deployment instruments and AI applications;
- Data sharing, open-access resources, and international collaboration networks;
- Tools and methods for space weather education and outreach.
Poster session
A poster session will also be organized to allow speakers and participants to present their ideas and to share them with the other participants. The posters will be grouped by subject and authors will be at the posters for one of the two afternoon poster sessions according to the schedule in the programme." link
