Hamdan bin Mohammed chairs the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council

DUBAI, 16 December / WAM / His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Chairman of the Supreme Space Council, chaired the first meeting of the Council, during which His Highness was briefed on the economic achievements of the national space sector over the past years. And what it contributed to achieving qualitative results made it the most advanced sector in the region.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: The national space sector is witnessing continuous development. We are proud of our journey and the exceptional achievements we have achieved over the past years, which today constitute a basic pillar of innovation and scientific progress in the UAE.
His Highness added: The UAE space sector witnessed a comprehensive qualitative leap and rapid growth in a record period, so that we continue to provide a unique model of development and sustainability of success, as the state’s investments in the sector amounted to 40 billion dirhams during the past years, and the percentage of spending on research and development of space exploration projects increased by 14.8%. Compared to last year, the annual growth rate of the number of companies operating in this field in the country reached 29%, while the percentage of private sector financing and investments in space reached 44.3%, which indicates the growing role of the private sector in the space sector.
His Highness said: Today we have five national projects to explore the moon, Mars, and the asteroid belt, and qualified cadres to lead the most difficult scientific missions. We are committed to ambitious programs for space exploration, and our goal in the next phase is to provide more support to the sector by enhancing integration between the government and private sectors, which contributes to advancing the development of space. Innovation and achieving our future aspirations in the coming years.
The meeting was attended by His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Secretary General of the Supreme Space Council and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Space Agency, His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, and His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Economy. Digital and remote work applications, His Excellency Faisal Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Bannai, Advisor to the President of the State for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology, and His Excellency Lieutenant General Talal Humaid Belhoul, Vice President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, His Excellency Major General Mubarak Saeed bin Ghafan Al Jabri, Assistant Undersecretary for Support and Defense Industries at the Ministry of Defence.
His Excellency Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi stressed that the Supreme Space Council is keen to integrate efforts to enhance an advanced national work system that supports achieving the desired goals under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
His Excellency said: This thriving sector reflects the UAE’s commitment to developing human resources and qualifying them to lead the future in the fields of space, in addition to creating an integrated environment that enhances cooperation between all actors.
He added: The Supreme Council is focusing on building flexible and attractive regulatory frameworks for local, regional and global investments, which contributes to supporting innovation and enhancing the competitiveness of the national space sector at all levels, pointing out the importance of cooperation and joint work between all parties in this vital sector to accelerate the pace of growth and achieve a comprehensive development renaissance. Based on the knowledge and innovation economy.
During the meeting, the role of the private sector as a partner in the development process was discussed, emphasizing the success of the efforts made through the programs and projects launched over the previous phase to support and stimulate the national space economy, the most prominent of which is the “Economic Space Zones Programme,” which includes more than 200 companies as members. In particular, it aims to support emerging, small and medium-sized companies in this field by providing economic initiatives and incentives in cooperation with various partners in the country.
The meeting also discussed the UAE’s efforts to develop knowledge and international contributions in the field of space, to be the first in the world with a project aimed at achieving a journey around the asteroid belt and the first in the Arab world with a mission to the moon and a project within the Artemis program, which are the results of continuous support for research and development efforts in the country.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was briefed on the space programs that will be launched in the next phase, including the Thuraya 4 satellite of Space 42, which will be launched this December, in addition to the Mohammed bin Zayed Sat satellite. It is being developed by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, and will be launched in January 2025.
The meeting included a review of a number of presentations submitted by sectors supporting the space sector, including the plan of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, which addressed the axes of the strategy and its future goals to strengthen the space sector, in addition to highlighting the developments in the space and defense economy, the economic opportunities and challenges facing the sector and ways to develop it. In line with national priorities, the space acquisition plan and programs were also reviewed, which focused on future plans to enhance the acquisition and develop the country’s space capabilities.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center gave a presentation on the latest developments in the astronaut program and the Lunar Gateway, during which it explained the progress made in the program and the efforts made to achieve the main goals of the national space initiatives.
Space 42 gave a presentation on the developments and programs of the private sector, especially after the completion of the merger between Bayanat and Yahsat, and future plans to strengthen the partnership between the government and private sectors in the field of space, in a way that supports improving revenues and enhancing opportunities for achieving further growth. And innovation.

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