UAE Showcases Commitment To Sustainable Space At International Astronautical Congress 2025 In Sydney

The UAE is actively participating in the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney, Australia. This event, themed "Sustainable Space: Resilient Earth," runs until 3rd October. The UAE's involvement underscores its dedication to international collaboration and exploring new opportunities in the space sector.

Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sport and Chair of the UAE Space Agency, emphasised the importance of this participation. He stated, "The UAE’s participation in the IAC reflects the UAE's steadfast commitment to supporting the sustainability of the space sector and enhancing international cooperation in this field to serve our nations and humanity." This vision aims to position the UAE as a global hub for space economy by developing human capabilities and infrastructure.

The UAE delegation, led by Dr. Al Falasi, is engaging in key meetings at IAC. These include the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) International Meeting for Ministers and Members of Parliaments (MMOP), Artemis Accords signatory meeting, and IAF Global Space Leaders’ Summit. The Artemis Accords meeting will review outcomes from the Abu Dhabi Workshop.

Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, highlighted that their pavilion showcases an integrated system uniting government entities, private companies, research centres, and academic institutions. This collaboration demonstrates the UAE’s advanced capabilities and projects in space innovation and exploration.

The pavilion also features strategic partners like Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), Technology Innovation Institute (TII), Federal Geographic Information Centre (FGIC), National Space Science and Technology Centre, Fazaa startup, and others from the Space Economic Zones Programme. These partners will present innovative projects reflecting efforts to stimulate innovation and empower local talent.

Salem Humaid Al Marri from MBRSC noted that they have built a comprehensive ecosystem integrating sustainability into every programme. He said these initiatives are part of a national vision positioning the UAE as a key contributor to a sustainable future in space. Their presence at IAC 2025 highlights their role in defining this future while ensuring exploration serves humanity's progress.

MBRSC will host sessions showcasing expertise in space exploration at their pavilion. Highlights include sessions led by astronauts Dr. Sultan Saif AlNeyadi, Hazzaa AlMansoori, and Nora AlMatrooshi sharing insights from missions under the UAE Astronaut Programme.

Dr. Elias Tsoutsanis from TII's Propulsion and Space Research Centre mentioned their participation reflects TII’s commitment to advancing sovereign capabilities in propulsion and space sciences while reinforcing partnerships with global communities.

The IAC serves as a significant platform for accelerating global efforts toward sustainable space activities. It draws thousands of attendees from various sectors worldwide to address environmental, scientific, and technological challenges facing future space endeavours.

The UAE pavilion highlights national projects focusing on environmental preservation through space applications addressing climate change challenges. The event offers visitors insights into how these initiatives aim to utilise space for serving humanity effectively without compromising resources or environment quality over time.

With inputs from WAM