The UAE Space Agency has won a World Summit of Information Society (WSIS) Prize, for its role in promoting international partnerships within the space sector. The Summit was held in Geneva, Switzerland from 8 April to 12 April, and was attended by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) experts and high-level representatives from the WSIS stakeholder community.
Since its establishment in 2014, the UAE Space Agency has signed more than twenty Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with key international partners for cooperation in space. In addition, the Agency collaborates with various entities like space centres and universities to develop the space sector and enhance human capacity and research infrastructure.
The UAE Space Agency led the establishment of the ‘Arab Space Coordination Group’, announced less than a month ago, which brings together 11 Arab nations to promote collaboration in space science, research, technology and exploration. The Group includes United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Morocco and Egypt. The member countries of the Group voted for the UAE to lead the new organization.
His Excellency Dr. Eng. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, said: “We are constantly working to promote international collaboration in space, as we believe that cooperation is mutually beneficial and essential to the continued growth and development of the international space sector.”
“We cooperate with other entities in areas of research, education, policy formation and space sector regulation. Each partnership has the potential to contribute to the growth of the space sector by facilitating the exchange of expertise and skills, contributing to economic diversification, launching joint projects or new missions, or supporting human capacity development,” added H.E. Dr. Eng. Al Ahbabi.
The WSIS Prizes contest serves as a mechanism to evaluate and recognize individuals, governments, civil society, local, regional and international agencies, research institutions and private sector companies for outstanding success in implementing development-oriented strategies that leverage the power of ICTs. It aims to foster partnerships, showcase innovation, exchange best practices and announce new tools and initiatives to use ICTs. The contest comprises 18 categories that are directly linked to the WSIS Action Lines outlined in the Geneva Plan of Action.