UAE to host Abu Dhabi Space Debate under leadership of MBZ

The President of United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is once again showcasing his leadership across wide array of sectors, keeping in mind the development of country and its people while also extending support to the global upliftment and progress. Under the leadership of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE is hosting Abu Dhabi Space Debate in December this year. As noted by WAM, the Emirates News Agency, the upcoming space debate’s message and intention remains that as young nations and private sector players are proliferating in the space sector, the need for international co-operation and collaboration to enable sector’s development has become all the more urgent. 

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, tweeted that the global forum provides a platform to facilitate dialogue and “aims to strengthen cooperation, formulate new international policies and develop solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in the global space sector”. 

The Abu Dhabi Space Debate

Under leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Space Debate global forum scheduled for 5^th and 6^th December, 2022. The two day conference is being organized by the UAE Space Agency, and is aimed to establish a new global forum for the space industry, nations, business leaders and policy makers to come together and address the issues related to growth and innovation in space sector.

Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, Chair of the UAE Space Agency and the Abu Dhabi Space Debate Committee, said, “We are seeing a huge expansion in organisations developing space capabilities and potential, but that growth in the sector brings challenges, ranging from preservation of national interests through to the regulation of private sector players. The Abu Dhabi Space Debate aims to create a global platform that will bring together a diverse and challenging audience and forge concrete progress in advancing international co-operation, standards and policy-setting for the space sector.”

MBZ leading the country in space sector

Under leadership of MBZ, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, UAE has rapidly established itself as one of the leading space powers in a short span of time. President MBZ’s vision has led to establishment of UAE Space Agency (UAESA), headquartered in Abu Dhabi, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC – formerly the Emirates Institute for Advanced Science and Technology), located in Dubai. 

UAE’s indigenous Hope Probe Mission for Mars has been a part of MBZ’s vision. Furthermore, UAE is also collaborating with European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in science and technology sectors related to the International Space Station (ISS). 

UAE now has a lauded space sector

The Emirates’ space sector has rapidly established itself as a vibrant and fast-growing area of economic growth. UAE at present is operating 19 Earth-orbiting satellites with additional ten satellites under development. The Emirates is committed to long-term missions related to interplanetary exploration and the bolstered development of its growing private sector space system. “As we implement our long-term ambitions in space, the first steps of which are clearly outlined in our National Space Strategy 2030, we cannot over-emphasise the importance of international collaboration to our plans. Our space programme has been built on such collaboration, with partners in Europe, South Korea, the US, Japan and elsewhere. We have been keen to embrace international efforts to work together on common goals and objectives, and we’re committed to supporting efforts from the Artemis Accords to the United Nations Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities. This Debate will form an important element of that commitment,” Al Amiri noted.