Moon Village Association Collaborates With UAE For Major Events In 2025

The Moon Village Association (MVA), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to fostering international cooperation for lunar economic development, has unveiled a new collaboration with the UAE. This partnership will establish the Moon Village Centre in Abu Dhabi. The city will also host the main event for next year's International Moon Day in July and the MVA's 9th Annual Workshop and Symposium in November 2025.

This collaboration highlights the UAE's increasing impact on the global space sector and its dedication to promoting space innovation and diplomacy. The announcement was made during the 8th Annual MVA Workshop and Symposium in Luxembourg, aligning with the UAE's 53rd Eid Al Etihad celebrations. The UAE's involvement underscores its strategic role in advancing lunar exploration.

International Moon Day, celebrated globally on 20 July, commemorates humanity's first moon landing in 1969. Proposed by the MVA, this United Nations-designated day acknowledges achievements in lunar exploration and promotes public awareness of sustainable moon initiatives. Plans for International Moon Day 2025 include a main event in Abu Dhabi and smaller events across six continents.

Dr. Nasr Al-Sahhaf, Chair of the United Nations International Moon Day, expressed enthusiasm about Abu Dhabi's plans for 2025. "The moon is owned by no one and yet inspires everyone, which is why I’m thrilled at the scale of Abu Dhabi’s plans to work with us in 2025," he stated. He emphasised that having previously hosted events in countries like the USA, Korea, China, and Germany, the UAE will be pivotal in engaging citizens worldwide.

The annual MVA Workshop and Symposium focuses on various aspects of lunar exploration and utilisation. It gathers space agencies, governments, industries, policymakers, and experts to share progress and ideas for a sustainable human presence on the Moon. Dr. Giuseppe Reibaldi, President of MVA, remarked on the UAE's significant role: "With its rapidly developing space programme, the UAE has a huge role to play in the evolution of humanity’s activity on the moon."

Strategic Partnerships

Dr. Salem bin Abdullah Alwahshi, CEO of the Emirates Council for Work Relations Development, expressed honour at hosting MVA's flagship events in 2025. He noted parallels between Moon Village goals and those of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan: "We’re honoured to have been selected to host the MVA’s flagship 2025 events. There are many parallels between the goals of the Moon Village and those of the UAE's Founding Father."

Further details about International Moon Day 2025 and MVA's upcoming workshop will be shared later. This partnership marks a significant step for both entities as they work towards enhancing global engagement with lunar exploration initiatives.

With inputs from WAM