UAE Transfers COPUOS Chairmanship to Egypt
Vienna, The Gulf Observer: A delegation from the UAE, led by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Space Agency, participated in the 67th session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). This session featured the ceremonial handover of the COPUOS chairmanship from Omran Sharaf, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Advanced Science and Technology, to Dr. Sherif Sedky, CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency.
Dr. Ahmad Al Falasi expressed gratitude to Omran Sharaf for his leadership over the past two years, highlighting significant achievements made during his tenure and extending best wishes to Egypt for its upcoming leadership role. “We strongly believe in the importance of international cooperation in space to facilitate knowledge exchange, build capabilities, and create innovative solutions to global challenges. Over the past two years, the UAE has unified global efforts to establish policies and legislations for the sustainable and peaceful use of space technology,” Dr. Al Falasi stated.
The UAE delegation presented the country’s achievements in the national space sector, emphasizing the development of space policies, regulations, and strategies, including the National Space Strategy 2030 and the Space Science and Technology Policy. They also discussed upcoming space missions, such as the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt (EMA), the UAE’s participation in establishing the first lunar station, and Rashid Rover 2.
The delegation reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to international cooperation in science and technology, sustainable space exploration, and invited member states to the upcoming Abu Dhabi Space Debate (ADSD) in December 2024 to promote global dialogue and cooperation in space.
Omran Sharaf reflected on his tenure, noting improvements in the efficiency of COPUOS’s Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSSC) and Legal Subcommittee (LSC). “The UAE’s leadership of COPUOS underscores its efforts to enhance security and stability in space exploration and technology development, ultimately contributing to life on Earth,” Sharaf said.
Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, participated in a panel discussion at the UN Conference on Sustainable Lunar Activities 2024. He emphasized the fundamental principles of the Artemis Accords and the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), advocating for peaceful space activities, transparency, and international cooperation.
Al Qubaisi called for the formation of joint committees to unify standards and best practices, and for hosting global space conferences to foster collaboration and resolve conflicts. He also highlighted the UAE’s involvement in developing a module for NASA’s Lunar Gateway Station and the milestone achievement of sending the first Emirati astronaut into lunar orbit.
On the sidelines of the session, the UAE Space Agency hosted an event titled “Collaborative Frontiers: United Nations in Space Endeavors,” outlining the main themes of the Abu Dhabi Space Debate (ADSD): space sustainability, space security, and space accessibility.
The UAE’s chairmanship of COPUOS from 2022 to 2023, representing 100 member states, demonstrated global confidence in the UAE’s role in promoting scientific and technological advancement. The UAE made significant progress in enhancing work efficiency, promoting fair and peaceful access to space, and encouraging compliance with international legal frameworks during its tenure, despite geopolitical challenges.
Under UAE’s leadership, COPUOS integrated multiple agendas, including the United Nations Programme on Space Applications and capacity building in space law, to improve efficiency. The UAE also promoted knowledge transfer programs between countries, emphasizing the importance of fair and peaceful access to space for all nations.
