Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council, chaired a meeting of the council during which he directed the launch of the International Space Cooperation Programme. The initiative allocates AED1 billion to support international cooperation in space research and development, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to strengthening its position as a global hub for space technologies and industries and enhancing its competitiveness within the global space economy.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed affirmed that the UAE’s space sector is one of the key strategic sectors supporting a knowledge- and innovation-based national economy. He noted that the programme will contribute to localising advanced technologies, empowering national talent and connecting UAE-based research institutions with their global counterparts through projects with sustainable economic and technological impact and partnerships based on innovation and the exchange of expertise.

His Highness also stressed the importance of continuing efforts to strengthen the UAE’s position among the world’s leading space economies in alignment with the objectives of the National Space Strategy 2031, which was recently launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. These include doubling the returns of the space economy, increasing the sector’s added value by 60% and nurturing national capabilities in space research, development and manufacturing.

Strategic direction
The launch of the International Space Cooperation Programme supports the UAE’s strategic direction for the space sector, focused on building a resilient national space ecosystem that attracts investment while ensuring sustainability through the development of national capabilities. The strategy seeks to diversify knowledge and technology sources, strengthen global leadership in space partnerships and market access and develop space infrastructure and facilities that meet the highest international standards.

Global partnerships
The programme seeks to develop an advanced model for international space cooperation based on strategic partnerships between research institutions, academic entities and national and global companies. The objective is to accelerate the development of advanced space technologies, expand knowledge transfer and transform research and development outcomes into applications and industries with sustainable economic value.

The programme also establishes a new phase in the UAE’s leadership in the space sector by focusing on patent development, technology localisation and the qualification of specialised talent. It also prioritises high-growth and high-impact sectors, contributing to the transformation of innovation into integrated space industries with tangible economic impact, while fostering an attractive environment that draws leading global talent and high-quality investments. This will further enhance the UAE’s competitiveness in global markets and help it keep pace with the rapid growth of the international space economy.

The global space economy
The meeting also highlighted the programme’s important role in advancing the national space economy amid continued growth in the global space sector, which reached approximately $613 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to nearly $780 billion by 2033. This growth further strengthens opportunities for the UAE to expand its presence in future space markets and technologies.

His Excellency Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, and Amer Al Sayegh Al Ghaferi, Assistant Director General of the Aerospace Engineering Sector at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, also presented an update on the UAE’s participation in the Artemis programme, highlighting the country’s contribution to advancing the infrastructure required to support a sustained human presence on the moon. 

During the meeting, Dr. Hamdullah Mohib, CEO of Orbitworks, highlighted the company’s potential to anchor the UAE’s emergence as a global leader in AI-enabled space intelligence. Dr. Mohib outlined Orbitworks’ vision for a sovereign satellite constellation built and operated in the UAE, positioning the nation to capture significant international opportunities and establish a world-leading capability in space-based intelligence.

The meeting was attended by His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Secretary-General of the Supreme Space Council and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency; His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; His Excellency Lieutenant General Talal Humaid Belhoul, Vice President of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre; His Excellency Major General Dr. Mubarak Saeed bin Ghafan Al Jabri, Assistant Undersecretary for Support and Defence Industries at the Ministry of Defence, His Excellency Eng. Salem Butti Al Qubaisi,  Director-General of the UAE Space Agency and His Excellency Ibrahim Hamza Al Qasim, Deputy Director General of the UAE Space Agency.