The UAE Space Agency explored prospects of joint cooperation with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) as part of its efforts to promote international relations and build companies with various parties in the sector.
This came during a visit from Dr. Simonetta Di Pippo, UNOOSA Director, who was received by H.E Dr Khalifa Al Romaithi, Chairman of the UAE Space Agency and H.E. Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, at the Space Agency’s Abu Dhabi headquarters. A number of officials from the sector were also present.
The meeting included familiarisation with the latest developments the UAE Space Agency, as well as its goals, emerging programmes, and space sector strategy.
Dr. Di Pippo praised the progress made by the UAE Space Agency since its inception and congratulated its recent membership on the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) – a subsidiary of UNOOSA. She also acknowledged the prominent role played by the UAE since its membership on the committee.
The UNOOSA Director was in the UAE capital to participate in a symposium held by UNOOSA and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Symposium was hosted by both the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the UAE Space Agency.
In this regard, H.E. Dr. Khalifa Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said: “This visit falls in line with the commitment of the UAE Space Agency — as the official representative of the state within the space sector — to establish relationships of cooperation with various international bodies. This is considered one of the pillars of the agency’s strategic plan to develop the UAE’s space sector”.
H.E. Dr. Al Ahbabi stated: “Through its membership in COPOUS, the UAE Space Agency seeks to support international efforts and exchange experiences. Similarly, the position on the committee increases and promotes the UAE’s participation and contribution on the international level with regard to creating global resolutions, regulations and programmes in the field of peaceful uses of space.”
He added: “With Dr. Simonetta Di Pippo we explored several areas that are of interest and mutual benefit — especially in light of the ambitious Hope Probe mission to Mars. This is the Space Agency’s first project in terms of oversight and funding, and it embodies the UAE’s contribution to the global effort of using space peacefully, let alone exploring the history of the Red Planet”.
The UAE Space Agency joined the commission in late 2015 after a majority of member-states voted in favour of the decision during the Fourth Committee Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.