ABU DHABI, UAE – A high-level UAE delegation at the 66th session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) said the country believes in promoting a safe and sustainable outer space environment.
The UAE delegation is headed by Omran Sharaf, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Advanced Science and Technology and is Chair of the COPUOS, one of the UN’s largest committees with 100 member states.
The delegation to the event in Vienna include Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as senior employees from the Space Agency.
The event will take place till June 9.
The UAE highlighted the significance of the peaceful use of outer space, acknowledging the right of all member states to develop their capabilities.
At the session, Sharaf said, “We have witnessed significant advancements in space endeavors since the last session of this committee.”
He said, “We have got the first images of early space from the James Webb Space Telescope to the first changing of the orbit of an asteroid and the continuous robotic exploration of the Moon and Mars, this past year serves as a testament to humankind’s desire to reach further.”
He added, “This year marks the 55th anniversary of the first UN Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE).”
Sharaf said, “The committee and its two subcommittees continue to represent unique platforms for fostering dialogue, strengthening international collaboration in the peaceful uses of outer space and advancing the global governance of outer space activities.”
He said, “The UAE has made it a priority to create a positive impact through its chairmanship of the UN COPUOS. Given the highly polarized global environment, the UAE worked on converging the different views and addressing critical topics related to space safety, stability, sustainability and security.”
Al Qubaisi delivered the UAE speech, affirming the country’s commitment and support of COPUOS in promoting a safe and sustainable outer space environment.
The UAE also focused on the importance of international collaboration to ensure space technologies benefit humanity in times of disaster.
He said, “We strongly believe the space sector can only be developed through regional and international collaboration and common initiatives.”
He added, “The UAE has participated in driving scientific research and technological advances and sharing knowledge with member states.”
Al Qubaisi said, “We have launched joint missions, facilitated the exchange of expertise and delivered capability-building programs to enable countries to harness the potential of space science and technology.”
He said, “This year, we have issued nine regulations regarding space.”
He added, “We have launched the Abu Dhabi Space Debate, a unique platform to debate the space industry’s most pressing challenges and drive the new space economy.”
Al Qubaisi said, “We have also created a comprehensive capacity-building program entitled the Space Academy to discover and prepare the next generation of space engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs.”
He said, “The UAE has also launched Space Economic Zones, an integrated program to support the establishment, growth, and sustainability of UAE-based companies in the sector.”
Al Qubaisi touched upon the National Space Fund, an AED3 billion program; the Space Data Center; and the Space Analytics and Solutions (SAS) Program.
He said, “The UAE aims to raise awareness of space applications to mitigate climate change and environmental challenges at the upcoming Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in November at Dubai.”
The discussions highlighted the significant role of space technologies in fighting climate change, the use of satellites for Earth monitoring and remote sensing, analyzing data to monitor and address the impacts of climate change.
They also deliberated on the role of satellite data in enabling countries to make informed decisions and develop effective policies to overcome climate challenges.
The UAE delegation highlighted the role of space missions in promoting scientific research, education in STEM fields, innovation, international cooperation and economic diversification.
The delegation touched upon the Emirates Mars Mission Hope Probe, the Emirates Lunar Mission Rashid Rover 2 and the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt.
The participants discussed the importance of the mission in providing data on the origins and composition of asteroids and offering a deeper understanding of our solar system.
The spacecraft will measure the density, temperature, physical and thermal properties and surface geological features of several asteroids during its flybys.
The delegation focused on the role of the mission in achieving the UAE’s strategic objectives in developing national talents in the space sector.
It said that the mission empowers local companies, encourages the establishment of Emirati startups, and in creating a new market for space technologies.