Abu Dhabi to host debate defining future of space sector

Abu Dhabi is set to host a major conference in December to discuss some of the most pressing challenges in the global space sector.

The Abu Dhabi Space Debate, organised by the UAE Space Agency, is set to take place from December 5-6, under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE is proud to be hosting the event, which aims to facilitate dialogue and strengthen cooperation, formulate new international policies and develop solutions to challenges in the global space sector.

The UAE is proud to be hosting the Abu Dhabi Space Debate in December. The event is 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.

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) September 7, 2022

The two-day conference will bring together policy makers, business leaders and leading engineers and scientists.

It aims to advance not only global dialogue and collaboration between nations but also forge concrete alliances, multilateral agreements and provide a platform to advance the sector as a whole.

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."

"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," she added.

The Emirates’ space sector alone is a vibrant and fast-growing area of economic growth, with the country operating 19 Earth-orbiting satellites with a further ten satellites under development.

With over 50 organisations and institutions and five research centres for space sciences and the development of a strong educational sector in space sciences, research and engineering, the Emirates has committed to long-term interplanetary exploration missions and the accelerated development of its emerging private sector space ecosystem.