The delegation also held a series of bilateral meetings with Senior Korean officials and space & technology focused companies
Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and Chairperson of UAE Space Agency, led a delegation from the United Arab Emirates, including representatives from local and national entities, to participate in Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (Seoul ADEX) 2023, the largest, most comprehensive trade show in Northeast Asia. Set to take place from 17 to 22 October at Seoul Airport, the exhibition brings together officials, experts, and decision-makers in the space and defense industries.
The delegation included H.E Ibrahim Hamza Al Qasim, Deputy Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, Abdulla Al Marar, Head of the Space Project Management Section at the UAE Space Agency, Tariq Al Hashmi, Head of Technology Adoption at MoIAT, Dr. Prashanth Marpu, Vice President for Research and Development at Bayanat.AI, Eng. Khaled Al Awadi, Chief Advanced Program Officer at Yahsat, Eng. Rawdha AlBalooshi, Manager – Project Management at EDGE, and Dr. Felix Vega, Senior Director Electromagnetic Radiators at TII.
This participation, along with the meetings and discussions with the South Korean side, including officials, companies, and government and private institutions, aims to strengthen cooperation, foster strategic relationships, and exchange expertise in the aerospace and aviation sectors between the UAE and the Republic of South Korea. Additionally, it seeks to continuously develop the UAE's space ecosystem, which currently encompasses over 80 companies operating in various fields of the sector, from satellite manufacturing to space data analysis and utilization, communication services, and Research & Development in both; space and advanced technology sectors.
H.E Sarah Al Amiri said: “Our participation in the Seoul ADEX represents an important step towards enhancing cooperation and sustainable partnerships with global leaders in the aerospace and defense sectors, especially with Korea, given our long and continuous current relations and exploration of future opportunities to support the aerospace and technology sectors in the UAE." H.E Sarah Al Amiri added, "In the context of promoting and establishing these partnerships, we have been exploring the establishment of new prospects related to the development of space data platforms in cooperation with local entities in the country, such as 'Bayanat', and creating opportunities for collaboration in the 'SIRB' project related to the manufacturing of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites. On the other hand, these partnerships will facilitate increased access to launch services for projects and programs based in the UAE.”
The UAE delegation conducted an extensive tour to explore the latest technologies, become acquainted with recent innovations and capabilities found in the Republic of Korea. The delegation met with high-ranking officials in leading aerospace companies in this field, including Hanwha Aerospace, and the Korean Aerospace Industries Association (KAIA).
The delegation also held a series of meetings with the Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI), and the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). They discussed the latest developments regarding SAR technologies and the involvement of some private sectors from Korea in the Dubai Airshow 2023. In addition to the general discussion of potential areas of cooperation and common interests between both sides.
The delegation met with His Excellency Mr. Lee Jong-ho, the Minister of Science and ICT of Korea. During the meeting, both sides discussed areas of mutual cooperation in space sciences, space technology, and their applications. They also exchanged views on space policies, laws, and regulations, as well as human development in the field of space and related sectors. The meeting also emphasized the importance of enhancing collaboration between aerospace industries, supporting private sector development, and fostering opportunities for investment in current and future projects in the UAE and Korea.
Held every two years, Seoul ADEX offers major opportunities for government and private institutions, as well as space and defense stakeholders, experts, and senior officials. It is a unique platform for exchanging experiences and technologies in these two vital fields.