Heads of the world's leading space agencies will appear at a special plenary session at IAC 2015 in Jerusalem on Monday, October 12, 2015. The agency heads will discuss the latest advancements and breakthroughs in space exploration and heightening international cooperation.

The session, which will be moderated by German journalist Uli Bobinger, will include Isaac Ben-Israel, Chairman of the Israel Space Agency, Charles Bolden, Administrator of NASA, Xu Dazhe, Administrator of China's CNSA, Igor Komarov, Head of Russia's ROSOSMOS, Naoki Okumura, President of Japan's JAXA, and Jan Woerner, Director General of the European Space Agency.

"As the incoming Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), this IAC in Jerusalem is for me an opportunity to underline once more the extraordinary value of international cooperation in space," said Jan Woerner. "Space has long proved to be a bridge that overcomes beyond political problems we face here on Earth. I strongly believe that all space-faring counties can work together to sustain and enhance international cooperation now and in the future. The global community expects that from us," Prof. Woerner continued.

Prof. Isaac Ben-Israel, Chairman of the Israel Space Agency welcomed the opportunity to host his colleagues in Jerusalem. "We look forward to sharing Israel's achievements in the field of space science and technology. Despite being one of the world's smallest countries, we have achieved space-exploration independence allowing us to develop, launch and maintain our own satellites making us an international leader in the field," Prof. Ben-Israel said.

"While our space program was originally built for military purposes, we are proud of the efforts that we have made over the past five years to adapt it into a civilian program that is furthering advancements in communications, environmentalism, science and technology on a daily basis," Prof. Ben-Israel concluded.

Naoki Okumura, President of Japan's JAXA, also expressed his delight in advance of his visit to Jerusalem. "I look forward to discussing with fellow heads of space agencies the future space exploration as well as the contribution of space technology and applications to socio-economic and environmental issues on Earth."

A 30 min. Q amd A session open to journalists and the public will follow the plenary in the Small Dulzin.

The IAC 2015 will take place October 12-16th at the International Convention Center - Binyanei Hauma in Jerusalem and will include 30 top-level symposia and over 2,000 additional presentations. Attendance is expected by participants from 70 nations with special attention to Israel's contribution to the advancement of space as well as enabling guests to appreciate the unique history and society of Jerusalem.