Influential international contributions that reflect the UAE’s role in shaping the future of space

Abu Dhabi, July 18 / WAM / The UAE’s participation in international forums for the space sector during the current year constituted an extension of a national approach that focuses on building effective global partnerships and contributing to shaping the future of this vital sector, reflecting the country’s vision to develop a competitive space sector that supports sustainable development and keeps pace with its aspirations in the fields of science, technology and innovation.

The year 2026 witnessed a remarkable presence of the UAE Space Agency in a number of regional and international meetings and conferences, as these participations contributed to expanding areas of scientific and technical cooperation, exchanging experiences, and supporting international efforts to develop policies for the peaceful use of space, in addition to exploring new opportunities for investment and innovation in the space economy.

In this context, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Space Agency, headed the UAE delegation participating in the work of the sixty-ninth session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), which was held in the Austrian capital, Vienna, during the period from 10 to 19 June 2026.

The meetings discussed a range of issues related to the future of the space sector, including the long-term sustainability of space activities, the role of space technologies in supporting sustainable development efforts and confronting climate change, in addition to the prospects for space exploration and innovation, and enhancing international space cooperation.

During the event, the active UAE participation in the meetings of the scientific and technical subcommittees was highlighted, reflecting international confidence in the UAE’s role in supporting efforts aimed at developing space governance and enhancing international cooperation in space exploration and its use for peaceful purposes.

The UAE recorded a qualitative achievement by assuming the presidency of the Council of the International Charter for Space and Major Disasters for a period of six months, following the council’s meeting held virtually on June 22 and 23, in a step that confirms the advanced position that the country has reached in employing space technologies to serve humanitarian work and support efforts to respond to natural and environmental disasters around the world.

The UAE presence extended to a number of the most important international specialized events, including the 2026 meeting of heads of space agencies of the BRICS countries, and the Artemis Agreements workshop in its fourth session, reflecting the country’s interest in participating in shaping the future of lunar and deep space exploration, and enhancing cooperation with international partners in future space projects.

The UAE Space Agency participated in the Middle East Space Conference 2026, the Space Conference in Singapore, the Space Economy Summit in Europe 2026, and the 41st session of the International Space Conference, in addition to its participation in the “Made in the Emirates” Forum 2026, the SATShow 2026 dinner party, and the Arab Meeting of Young Leaders within the activities of the World Summit of Governments, in participations that reflected the diversity of the Emirati presence between the scientific, economic, investment and capacity-building aspects.

These contributions embody the UAE’s approach to building strategic partnerships with various space agencies, research institutions and international companies, which contribute to the transfer of knowledge, the development of advanced technologies, the provision of new opportunities for national competencies, and the support of the growth of the national space economy.

The UAE culminates this global presence by hosting the third edition of the Abu Dhabi Space Dialogue in December 2026, which has become an international platform that brings together decision-makers, leaders of space agencies, and experts from various countries of the world, to discuss the future of the sector, enhance international cooperation, and exchange visions about the challenges and opportunities witnessed by the space economy.

The UAE continues to achieve qualitative progress in its space projects, the most prominent of which is extending the Hope Probe mission until 2028, completing the review of the final design of the ground station for the asteroid belt exploration project, in addition to continuing to develop the “Swarm Program” to develop radar satellites.

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