The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Agency’s participation in the International Astronautical Congress.
In partnership with NASA and the Australian Space Agency, the UAE Space Agency chaired the annual Artemis Accords meeting, to review the outcomes of the Abu Dhabi workshop and discuss implementation mechanisms for the Accords’ principles. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), which took place in Sydney, Australia, from 29 September to 3 October 2025.
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of UAE Space Agency said: “The UAE's leadership of the Artemis Accords meeting, in partnership with NASA and the Australian Space Agency, reflects the international community’s confidence in the UAE’s role in driving the global agenda for space cooperation and the future of space exploration. The historic Abu Dhabi Workshop was a key milestone in rallying efforts to develop practical mechanisms to address critical issues such as space debris and coordination of lunar landing activities, paving the way for more transparent and sustainable international cooperation.”
Al Falasi added: “We believe that space exploration is a shared human endeavour that transcends borders and strengthens international partnerships. It serves as a platform for sharing knowledge and promoting science and technology to serve humanity. Through our international participation, we will continue to reinforce the UAE’s position as a global hub for space innovation, and a key contributor to shaping the policies that will define the future.”
The meeting witnessed broad participation from representatives of the signatory nations, along with heads of global space agencies and government representatives from around the world. The meeting addressed key recommendations, including non-interference in the space activities of other nations, transparency in launch timelines, mission types, and landing site declarations, orbital debris management, enhancing operational system interoperability, and open access to scientific data.
In his opening remarks, Sean Duffy, Acting Director of NASA, said: “Five years since the launch of the Artemis Accords marks a significant milestone in the journey of global space cooperation. The Accords, initiated by the United States in 2020 with seven founding nations, now include 56 signatory nations, representing nearly 30% of the world. This emphasises the growing international interest in space.”
Earlier this year, the UAE hosted a workshop on the Artemis Accords at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in May 2025, with participation from representatives of over 30 countries out of the 56 signatories at the time.
This step reflects the shared commitment to peaceful, transparent, and sustainable space exploration. The workshop focused on non-interference, strengthening international cooperation in space activities, registration of space objects, and outreach efforts. It reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to support international efforts and foster a collaborative environment that nurtures the growth of the global space sector.