Saudi Arabia, Japan Sign Cooperation Memorandum on Peaceful Use of Outer Space
Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: The Saudi Space Agency has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Japan on the peaceful use of outer space, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral collaboration in the space sector.
The memorandum was signed on the sidelines of the 10th Saudi-Japanese Ministerial Investment Forum, titled “Invest in Saudi Arabia,” as part of a broader package of 11 cooperation agreements aimed at deepening strategic ties between the two countries.
The agreement was concluded with Japan’s Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, underscoring comprehensive efforts to enhance international cooperation among institutions operating in the space industry.
The memorandum was signed on behalf of the Saudi Space Agency by Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of the Agency’s Board of Directors.
It establishes a framework for joint cooperation in space science and technology, capacity building, and the exchange of expertise, with the objective of supporting the development of the space sector and promoting the peaceful uses of outer space.
The agreement is expected to enhance long-term Saudi-Japanese collaboration in the space domain, support sustainable space development, and foster closer integration between the technical and research capabilities of both countries.
Areas of cooperation outlined in the memorandum include advanced space technologies, deep-space exploration, Earth observation and space-based services, satellite manufacturing and related services, satellite launch and launch vehicles, satellite hosting and operations, as well as scientific missions and astronaut training.
The Saudi Space Agency stated that the memorandum builds on the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to expand international partnerships in the space sector and reflects its active role in contributing to a global space ecosystem that supports research, innovation, and serves humanity.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the Saudi-Japanese Ministerial Investment Forum focused on enhancing economic relations between the two countries by strengthening bilateral investment and trade cooperation, facilitating access to new investment opportunities, and reviewing joint initiatives in key sectors such as energy, machinery, and equipment.
During the forum, Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih announced that Saudi Arabia is set to begin exporting green hydrogen to Japan in the coming days, Al-Eqtisadiah reported.
