Today's Edition
VIENNA (WAM)
A delegation from the UAE, head by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Space Agency, participated in the 67th session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in Vienna, Austria, taking place from June 19 – 28, 2024.
This session included the ceremonial handover of the COPUOS chairmanship from Omran Sharaf, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Advanced Science and Technology, to Dr. Sherif Sedky, CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency, for the upcoming session.
Dr. Ahmad Al Falasi expressed his gratitude to Omran Sharaf for his contributions during his leadership of COPUOS over the past two years, highlighting the important achievements made during his tenure and offering best wishes to the Arab Republic of Egypt in its leadership role of the committee.
UAE’s Achievements
Dr. Al Falasi added, “We are strong believers in the importance of international cooperation and collaboration when it comes to the outer space to facilitate knowledge exchange, build capabilities and create tangible and innovative solutions to the world’s current and future challenges. Over the past two years, the UAE has succeeded in unifying global efforts to establish policies and legislations and enhance the sustainable and peaceful use of space technology. We are committed to continuing to work with our partners from across the globe to uncover new frontiers in the sector to benefit humanity.”
During the session, the UAE delegation highlighted the country’s achievements over the past two years in the national space sector, and its organised and comprehensive approach to developing space policies, regulations for space activities, the National Space Strategy 2030, and the Space Science and Technology Policy.
Upcoming Space Missions
It also shed light on the UAE’s upcoming space missions, including: the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA), the UAE’s participation in establishing the first lunar station in human history, and Rashid Rover 2.
The delegation also emphasised the UAE’s commitment to bolstering international cooperation in science and technology, its sustainable space exploration efforts, and called on member states to participate in the upcoming edition of the Abu Dhabi Space Debate (ADSD) in December 2024 to promote global dialogue and cooperation in space.
For his part, Omran Sharaf said, “It has been a remarkable two years since the UAE chaired COPUOS. Our efforts in streamlining the agendas of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSSC) and Legal Subcommittee (LSC) have resulted in an increase in the performance and efficiency of both. The introduction of improved organisational arrangements and working methods have also contributed greatly to this.”
"The UAE's positive and constructive leadership of COPUOS underscores its international efforts to enhance security and stability in space exploration and the development of space technologies, ultimately contributing to improving life on Earth," he added. “We eagerly anticipate continued collaboration with our strategic partners and fellow Committee members to achieve more successes in the future.”
