UAE Space Agency Organises First Edition of ‘UAE Space Retreat’

The UAE Space Agency organised the first edition of the ‘UAE Space Retreat’, at the Etihad Museum. The retreat was attended by His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Chairman of UAE Space Agency, and Secretary-General of the Supreme Space Council; His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism; and His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The retreat attracted nearly 100 leaders and government officials from federal and local ministries and entities.

The event also welcomed representatives from leading national and international companies to discuss the latest developments in the space sector and review the UAE’s vision to become one of the world’s strongest space economies, in addition to presenting strategies to boost innovation and investment in this strategic sector.

H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Chairman of UAE Space Agency, emphasised that the inaugural Space Sector Retreat reflects the UAE's ambitious vision to build a competitive space economy that keeps pace with global transformations in this strategic sector and strengthens its contribution to a knowledge-based, innovation-driven national economy.

H.E. Al Falasi said: “This retreat represented a strategic milestone on our journey toward establishing a resilient, sustainable space ecosystem by harmonising efforts between the government and private sectors. It provided a platform to explore pathways for developing an enabling environment for innovation and space investment, capable of supporting national projects and enhancing their presence in global markets.”

H.E. Al Falasi added: “Advancing the space sector requires continued empowerment of national talent, strengthening of international partnerships and investment in advanced sciences and technologies alongside driving integration across economic, educational and industrial sectors. We are confident that this strategic retreat has contributed to a qualitative transformation in the journey of our national space sector, consolidating the 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.

The retreat also recommended launching financing programs and investment incentives targeting startups and innovative companies in space technology, as well as promoting regional and international partnerships to enable global market access and knowledge exchange.

Additional recommendations included developing an integrated national system for space manufacturing through collaboration between the industrial and academic sectors, as part of Make it in the Emirates initiative, and establishing advanced centres and facilities for testing and manufacturing space systems according to the highest international standards. The retreat also emphasised building a specialised human capital base in space science and engineering through national educational and training programs, in partnership with universities and research centres.

The retreat also featured an exhibition that served as an inspiring platform for knowledge exchange and reviewing the latest technologies. It shed light on the role of local and private companies in supporting the UAE’s space journey.

Bringing together leading figures from the public and private sectors, the retreat included strategic partners from the Ministry of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economy and Tourism, Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology. Additionally, the retreat featured members of the UAE Space Agency Board of Directors, as well as leading national entities such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), EDGE Group, Space42, and several educational and academic institutions.