Page 234 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2025 (Part 1)

10/31/25, 9:24 AM UAE Space Agency Organises First Edition of ‘UAE Space Retreat’ | Al Bawaba
nation's position as a regional and global hub for a sustainable space economy.”

H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said: "Space is a cornerstone of the UAE’s
economic diversification strategy and a powerful tool for international diplomacy. Our achievements, from the
historic Mars Hope Probe to the ambitious Mission to the Asteroid Belt, demonstrate that the UAE is not just
participating in the space economy but leading it. With AED 44 billion ($12 billion) invested in this sector, we are
fostering innovation, empowering startups, and advancing cutting-edge research. The Space Retreat reflects our
commitment to building a knowledge-based economy and positioning the UAE as a global hub for space
exploration and commercial activity, while strengthening partnerships that extend beyond our planet."

Furthermore, H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said: “The development of the
space sector is one of the UAE's foremost national priorities for the next 50 years, as part of our efforts to build a
future economy based on knowledge and innovation. The UAE remains committed to investing in and developing
innovative projects in this vital sector, while also encouraging private-sector participation and attracting
specialised global companies to establish and expand their activities across various fields of this industry.”

H.E. Al Marri added: “The Ministry of Economy and Tourism places special emphasis on launching partnerships
and initiatives focused on the new economy sectors - particularly the space industry. For example, the ‘Future100’
initiative supports the growth of innovative and fast-growing enterprises and startups in this field. In addition, the
UAE plans to establish the ‘Space Economic Cluster’ under the National Cluster Strategy, which will strengthen
the country’s position as a global and regional hub for business and investment in the space sector.”

H.E. Al Marri further highlighted that the space economy continues to grow and presents promising opportunities,
with global projections estimating its value to reach USD 1.8 trillion by 2035. Against this background, the retreat
marks a new milestone in advancing national efforts and designing innovative initiatives and solutions that support
the UAE’s vision of becoming one of the leading space economies globally, while fostering an environment that
promotes innovation and investment in this vital and future sector.

For his part, H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister
of Higher Education and Scientific Research, emphasised the strategic value of the Space Sector Retreat as a key
platform uniting leaders, experts and academics to shape the future of the national space sector, an essential driver
of the knowledge economy.

H.E. Dr. Al Awar added: “The UAE’s success in space lies in investing in minds and talent before tools and
technology. Empowering young Emiratis with research and practical skills is pivotal to building a competitive,
youth-led space economy. This requires an integrated ecosystem that links universities, research centres and
industry through specialised programmes, research grants and centres of excellence that ensure the sector’s
sustainability.”

The ‘UAE Space Retreat’ addressed key themes that form the foundation for developing the UAE’s space sector. It
aimed to propose solutions and visions for building a flexible and investment-friendly regulatory environment that
supports innovation and unifies national efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the space economy. It also
focused on building strategic partnerships, launching impact-driven projects, and enabling local companies to enter
and grow in global markets.

The sessions explored the development of advanced space infrastructure and facilities, attracting and nurturing
local talent, and bolstering technical capabilities to support future space projects. Participants shared ideas and
identified implementation priorities to ensure integration among national initiatives within the sector.

The retreat concluded with a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening the competitiveness and
attractiveness of the national space ecosystem for investment. Key recommendations included accelerating the
development of legislative and regulatory frameworks to support the growth of commercial space industries and
ensuring flexibility in licensing procedures and intellectual property protection.

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