Moderator: Africa / Middle East: Connecting People, Businesses and Governments through Collaboration

Dr. Aygun is the President and CEO of Space Systems International-Monaco S.A.M (SSI-Monaco). SSI-Monaco is an integrated international satellite telecommunications service provider .
SSI-Monaco is also the satellite operator of the Principality of Monaco and as such developed the 52°E Monaco orbital position. The company successfully realised the MonacoSAT program and launched the TurkmenAlem52E/MonacoSAT satellite in partnership with Thales Alenia Space on 27 April 2015 from Cape Canaveral with Falcon 9 of SpaceX.
Dr. ILHAMI AYGUN is a pioneer in the field of Satellite Communications as such he participated many European satellite programs, and has developed national satellite programs for Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Monaco.
- In 1981, Dr. Aygun graduated as an Electrical/Electronics Engineer from the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara, Turkey. He then got the Master degree from METU and attended postgraduate and doctorate studies in Southampton University-UK, AT&T Bell Labs/MIT-USA and Marmara University - Istanbul.
- Dr. Aygun was the first Director of the Turkish Satellite Communications Center (todays TURKSAT, the national satellite operator of Turkey) during 1985-1990 in Ankara. He designed and directed the development of Turksat’s (1A, 1B, 1C) satellites in partnership with Aerospatiale-France (todays Thales Alenia Space) during 1991- 1997. Following the success of the Turksat satellites Dr Aygun became the Director General and CEO of Eurasiasat-Monaco (1997-2003). During his leadership the financing, design, manufacturing, launch and operation of Eurasiasat-1 satellite was successfully realised.
- Upon the proposal by the President of the Republic of Turkey and acceptance by Prince Rainier III of Monaco, Dr. Aygun became the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Turkey in Monaco in January 2003.
- Dr. Aygun was awarded the ‘Chevalier – Ordre de St.Charles’ title from Prince Albert II of Monaco on 17 November 2007 for his contributions to Monaco in space and satellite sector.
- He was also given the Special Jury Economy Award of Monaco in 2015.