The UAE space sector received a major boost after H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired a meeting of the Supreme Space Council and directed the launch of the International Space Cooperation Programme.

The initiative will allocate AED1 billion to support international cooperation in space research and development. It reflects the UAE’s commitment to strengthening its position as a global hub for space technologies and industries while enhancing competitiveness within the global space economy.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council, said the UAE’s space sector is one of the country’s key strategic sectors supporting a knowledge and innovation-based economy.

He added that the programme will help localise advanced technologies, empower national talent and connect UAE-based research institutions with global counterparts. In addition, the initiative aims to create projects with sustainable economic and technological impact through partnerships focused on innovation and knowledge exchange.

Furthermore, Sheikh Hamdan stressed the importance of strengthening the UAE’s position among the world’s leading space economies. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Space Strategy 2031, launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

The strategy aims to double the returns of the space economy, increase the sector’s added value by 60% and nurture national capabilities in space research, development and manufacturing.

Meanwhile, the International Space Cooperation Programme supports the UAE’s strategic direction for the UAE space sector by focusing on building a resilient national ecosystem that attracts investment and ensures sustainability through the development of national capabilities.

The strategy also seeks to diversify knowledge and technology sources, strengthen global leadership in space partnerships and market access and develop infrastructure and facilities that meet the highest international standards.

Moreover, the programme aims to establish an advanced model for international space cooperation through strategic partnerships between research institutions, academic entities and national and international companies.

The initiative is expected to accelerate the development of advanced space technologies, expand knowledge transfer and transform research and development outcomes into applications and industries with sustainable economic value.

At the same time, the programme marks a new phase in the UAE’s leadership in the global space industry. It focuses on patent development, technology localisation and the qualification of specialised talent.

The programme also prioritises high-growth and high-impact sectors. As a result, it is expected to help transform innovation into integrated space industries with measurable economic impact while attracting global talent and high-quality investments.

During the meeting, officials highlighted the programme’s role in advancing the national space economy amid continued growth in the global space industry. The sector reached approximately $613 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to nearly $780 billion by 2033.

In addition, Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director-General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, and Amer Al Sayegh Al Ghaferi, Assistant Director General of the Aerospace Engineering Sector at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, presented updates on the UAE’s participation in the Artemis programme.

The update highlighted the country’s contribution to infrastructure designed to support a sustained human presence on the moon.

Dr. Hamdullah Mohib, CEO of Orbitworks, also presented the company’s vision for strengthening the UAE’s role in AI-enabled space intelligence.

He outlined plans for a sovereign satellite constellation built and operated in the UAE. According to Dr. Mohib, the initiative could help the country capture international opportunities and establish a world-leading capability in space-based intelligence.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Secretary-General of the Supreme Space Council and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, Lieutenant General Talal Humaid Belhoul, Vice President of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, Major General Dr. Mubarak Saeed bin Ghafan Al Jabri, Assistant Under-Secretary for Support and Defence Industries at the Ministry of Defence, Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, and Ibrahim Hamza Al Qasim, Deputy Director-General of the UAE Space Agency.

The latest initiative further strengthens the UAE space sector by expanding international cooperation, supporting advanced technology development and positioning the country for long-term growth in the global space economy.

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