Sheikh Mohammed's pivotal role lauded at space congress

Abu Dhabi - The two-day international event gathered more than 600 leaders.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, officially opened the World Space Congress 2017, on Tuesday morning in the UAE Capital.
The two-day international event, which is organised by the UAE Space Agency and held on Saadiyat Island, gathered more than 600 leaders that have made significant contributions to the aerospace industry, as well as delegates and senior officials from the UAE and around the world.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. Dr Khalifa Al Romaithi,  Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, who delivered the opening speech welcomed Sheikh Mohammed and thanked him for supporting the pivotal cause.
Dr Al Romaithi highlighted that the nation has taken immense steps forward in the space industry, with the ongoing strategies initiated by the UAE Space Agency, as well as the Emirates Mars Mission 2021 - coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the UAE.
"In the recent past, we committed to advancing to the forefront of the region, and to striving ceaselessly to soar into space. This year our journey to explore space began to reap the rewards of relentless work - side by side with advanced nations and global experts - towards the greater goal of harnessing space science for the good of mankind."
He pointed out that the UAE had prioritised the space sector and acknowledged its significance, convinced of the need to participate in the international community's efforts to build and promote humankind's legacy.
"The space sector has become an important factor in stimulating developmental processes, and the UAE is eager to affirm its standing as a country, in which the space industry plays a key role in sustainable economic development." Dr Al Romaithi said the UAE has thus adopted a national space sector based on the clear vision of its leadership, which puts in place a regulatory framework, guaranteeing positive results in short, as well as the long term goals.
He also stressed that the development and adoption of legal and regulatory frameworks for governing space sector activities in line with the comprehensive strategies and policies.
"They are consistent with UAE Vision 2021, the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which aim to increase economic diversification and diminish dependency on oil as the primary source of income."
"We hope that our meeting and its conclusion live up to the title of  'Creativity, Innovation and Cooperation in the Year of Giving', as we are working for the future of humankind."
The forum, which concludes on Wednesday, also looked at the UAE visions of new technology applications, interplanetary science symposium, UAE Hope mission, earth observation, satellite communications, as well as the women's role in the space industry.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com   

• Abu Dhabi