The United Arab Emirates, represented by the UAE Space Agency, has signed a Letter of Intent with both Russia and Kazakhstan to cooperate in various fields of space exploration and to collaborate on future space projects.
The signing took place at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, where the leader of the UAE Space Agency’s official delegation, H.E. Dr. Ahmad Abdullah Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills, and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency signed the agreement with Beibot Atamkulov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Defense and Aerospace Industry, and Igor Komarov, Head of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos).
The agreement proposes that all involved parties set up joint working groups to explore and implement a number of future space related initiatives and projects. A meeting is to be held next month at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to discuss the initiatives, the procedures and mechanisms for their implementation, as well as the roles and obligations assumed by each party.
H.E. Dr. Ahmad Abdullah Belhoul Al Falasi said: “This agreement is the cornerstone of future cooperation between the rapidly-growing Emirati space sector and two of the most prominent players in the global space arena, and we look forward to expanding and enhancing such a mutually beneficial collaboration.”
“The UAE recognizes the importance of developing national capabilities in the space sector through international cooperation and collaboration. The transfer of knowledge and expertise in science, research and space technology is vital for the continued development of national industries for both parties and subsequently, for their national human capital. These values form a key part of the UAE Space Agency’s vision and mission, and since its founding, the Agency has worked to foster international cooperation and collaboration to both advance UAE’s space agenda as well as build on our local talents,” added H.E. Dr. Al Falasi.
H.E. Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, said: “This agreement supports our mission at the UAE Space Agency to foster cooperation in the fields of space science, research, technology, and services. It also enhances our relationship and partnership with Russia and Kazakhstan, which strengthens international cooperation and ensures we collectively continue to advance our knowledge of space and the universe in which we live.”
“This agreement ensures our national cadres will have the opportunity to work alongside and learn from some of the world’s leading space experts,” added H.E. Dr. Al Ahbabi.
During the visit, the UAE Space Agency delegation held a series of meetings with representatives from both the Russian and Kazakhstani space sectors to explore means of cooperation and the development of partnerships in the field of space science—all prior to witnessing the successful launch of the Soyuz MS-08, a manned spacecraft carrying crew and equipment to the International Space Station.