His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the UAE Space Agency, led the UAE delegation participating in the 69th session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), held in the Austrian capital Vienna from 10 to 19 June 2026.
This year's sessions addressed a range of issues related to the future of the space sector, including the long-term sustainability of space activities, the role of space technologies in supporting sustainable development efforts and addressing climate change, as well as prospects for space exploration and innovation, and the promotion of international space cooperation.
His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi affirmed that the UAE's participation in the committee's sessions comes within the framework of its firm commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at ensuring the peaceful and responsible use of outer space, and to strengthening international cooperation in developing solutions and policies that keep pace with the rapid growth of the global space sector and contribute to its sustainability for future generations.
He stated that the global space sector is entering a new phase that requires unprecedented levels of international cooperation to ensure the sustainability of the space environment and maximise the scientific and economic benefits of this vital sector. From this standpoint, the UAE continues to work with its partners around the world to develop joint solutions and initiatives that enhance the safety of space activities and support research, development, and innovation in future technologies, in line with the targets of the National Space Sector Strategy 2031.
He added that effective partnerships and knowledge exchange are the foundation for building a future in space that benefits all of humanity. This is where the importance of national initiatives led by the UAE becomes clear, foremost among them the 1-billion-dirham International Space Collaboration Programme, which provides a global platform through which governments, research institutions, and specialised companies around the world are invited to work with the UAE to develop joint research and technology projects that transform knowledge and innovation into sustainable scientific and economic value.
His Excellency also highlighted the latest national developments in space exploration, including the UAE's asteroid belt exploration mission and the UAE Lunar Exploration Project, as well as the ongoing efforts to enhance scientific and technical capabilities in this field.
Participation agenda
The UAE's participation in the COPUOS sessions focused on supporting international efforts to promote space situational awareness as one of the fundamental pillars for ensuring the safety of space operations and reducing the risk of collisions between space assets, amid the rapidly growing number of satellites and orbital activities worldwide.
The UAE delegation reviewed the progress made by the International Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness, which is one of the key outcomes of the Abu Dhabi Space Dialogue 2024, before it was endorsed under the auspices of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space last year.
The UAE chairs the work of the group, which comprises more than 120 experts from 43 countries and is working to develop practical recommendations that enhance data and information sharing among stakeholders in the sector.
Cooperation programme
During the sessions, the UAE underscored the importance of strengthening international cooperation in space research and development as an essential factor in addressing future challenges related to space sustainability and the development of advanced technologies.
The UAE delegation presented the key features of the 1-billion-dirham International Space Collaboration Programme, recently launched by the UAE to support joint research and projects with international partners and to provide practical mechanisms for converting cooperation opportunities into projects and initiatives that help accelerate innovation and develop future space solutions. The programme also aims to transform innovation into integrated space industries with a tangible economic impact, supporting the country's efforts to rank among the world's leading space economies in line with the targets of the National Space Sector Strategy 2031.
On the sidelines of the COPUOS sessions, His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi held a series of bilateral meetings with a number of officials and international partners in the space sector.