Saudi Arabia announced joining Artemis Accords, affirming its commitment to sustainable space exploration guided by a common set of principles that promote the beneficial use of space for all of humanity.
Mohammed Saud al-Tamimi, CEO of the Saudi Space Commission, Saturday signed the Accords on behalf of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
He was joined during a virtual ceremony by Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Saudi Ambassador to the United States.
The Artemis Accords will offer opportunities for industry and scientific research sector in Saudi Arabia and will provide mutually beneficial partnerships.
“Joining Artemis Accords reaffirms the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to empower people, safeguard the planet and shape new frontiers,” said Abdullah bin Amer al-Swaha, Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Space Commission.
“This shared vision for space will not only help to create safe and sustainable space exploration activities but also supercharge the science and innovation activities to build a better future for all humanity,” he added.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said, “Today Saudi Arabia adds its voice to a diverse and growing set of nations. Together we can ensure that humanity’s rapid expansion into space, toward the Moon and destinations beyond, will be done peacefully, safely, and in full accordance with international law.”
The principles of the Artemis Accords, grounded in the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, advance the NASA-led Artemis program, which will put the first woman and first person of color on the Moon and prepare the way for a human mission to Mars.
Artemis relies on a broad and diverse international coalition, working together to achieve a historic and ambitious vision for human space exploration.
As Accords signatories, state actors advance responsible behavior in outer space, including through the registration of space objects, release of scientific data and provision of emergency assistance.
Together, signatories will reduce uncertainty and increase the safety of space operations to facilitate the sustainable use of space to the benefit of all humankind.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the 21st nation and the fourth Middle Eastern nation to sign the Accords. Saudi Arabia is the seventh nation to sign the Artemis Accords since January 2022.
Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States have all signed the Accords.