Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi Highlights Importance Of Inclusivity In Space Sector At WEF 2025 Meeting

Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, took part in a meeting titled "Space: Leaving No Country Behind" during the 55th World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 in Davos, Switzerland. The forum, themed "Collaboration in an Intelligent Age," runs from 20th to 24th January.

Al Falasi emphasised the space sector's role in global progress and sustainable development. He stated, "Today, the space sector is a key driver of global progress and sustainable development. In line with our responsibility as a global community, and in light of the principle of inclusiveness and integration, we will work together to ensure the participation of all countries in this vital sector." He highlighted the opportunity for international partnerships to create a sustainable future for all nations.

The UAE delegation at WEF includes over 100 leaders from various sectors. H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum leads this group. It comprises heads of companies and officials from both private and government sectors within the UAE.

The meeting saw participation from notable figures like Josef Aschbacher, Director-General of ESA; Mohammed Altamimi, CEO of Saudi Space Agency; William Marshall, Co-Founder and CEO of Planet Labs; Hiroshi Yamakawa, President of JAXA; Martina Hirayama from Switzerland’s education sector; Jeremy Jurgens from WEF; and other senior officials in space and technology fields.

The gathering aimed to strengthen cooperation among local space agencies. Discussions focused on developing effective strategies for space activities and integrating them into national agendas. The National Space Program Toolkit initiative was highlighted as a means to support emerging space entities.

UAE's Commitment to Knowledge Sharing

Al Falasi reiterated the UAE's commitment to sharing expertise with emerging countries in the space sector. He said, "In the UAE, we believe that cooperation and knowledge exchange and expertise are the path to achieving our goals and visions for comprehensive development. We are committed to sharing our experiences and expertise with emerging countries in the space sector to enable them to develop their capabilities and harness space potential to support their development plans."

The UAE's involvement at WEF spans various topics such as economy, trade, investment, technology, AI, legislation, government development, education, environment, diplomacy, among others. For three consecutive years now, the UAE has maintained a special pavilion at this forum underlining its slogan "Nothing is Impossible." This reflects its dedication to this important event.

The meeting also included Motoyuki Arai from Synspective Japan; Hani Ashkar from PwC Middle East; Doreen Bogdan-Martin from ITU; John Gedmark from Astranis USA; Kam Ghaffarian from X-energy; Max Haot from Vast; Dava Newman from MIT Media Lab; Bonginkosi Emmanuel "Blade" Nzimande from South Africa’s Ministry of Science.

This gathering provided guidance on maximising economic benefits through cost-effective applications in space activities while nurturing national ecosystems based on lessons learned. The focus was on enhancing technological advancements within national frameworks.

The event attracted officials across major local companies along with experts who own successful international organisations reflecting its significance globally.

With inputs from WAM