Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council, presided over the Council’s second meeting, focusing on the UAE’s new strategic approach for the space sector.
According to Emirates News Agency, the meeting highlighted three core objectives: establishing the UAE as a leading hub with an agile and investment-friendly space ecosystem, positioning the nation as a global leader in space partnerships and market access, and developing world-class space infrastructure and facilities that adhere to international standards. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan also assessed the Space Economic Survey’s findings, which tracked the sector’s growth over the past five years, and launched the National Space Industries Programme.
During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the strategic importance of the space sector in fostering a knowledge economy and driving technological advancements to enhance the UAE’s readiness for global changes. He underscored the necessity of space investment for accelerating the growth of UAE space industries and enhancing their competitiveness on regional and global scales.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan stated that the new strategic approach underscores the UAE’s dedication to developing an advanced space ecosystem and a competitive national space industry supported by private sector partnerships. He noted the confidence international companies have in the UAE’s economic environment, regulatory framework, and infrastructure, highlighting the space industry’s potential to bolster the nation’s development plans and economic diversification.
He further detailed ambitions to increase the space economy’s value by 60%, double its overall returns, and rank the UAE among the world’s top ten space economies by 2031. Emphasizing national capability strengthening, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan outlined plans to double investments in national space infrastructure and facilities and increase the number of national companies in the space industry, aiming to position the UAE as a global hub for advanced technologies.
The Space Economic Survey revealed a 49% rise in total public and private sector spending on space over the past five years, demonstrating a collective commitment to building a sustainable ecosystem. Spending on space research and development has increased ninefold since 2019, reflecting the UAE’s focus on scientific leadership and competitive technology development for the future of its space sector.
The survey also noted a 51% increase in Emirati women in the space sector from the previous year, highlighting the UAE’s enabling environment and the pivotal role of women in future sectors.
The National Space Industries Programme, launched during the meeting, aims to enhance the UAE’s space sector competitiveness. It includes initiatives encouraging economic and investment policies for space companies and supporting their growth through financial and operational initiatives. The Programme seeks to ease local and international market access, facilitate technology transfer, and increase the number of companies and space exports over the next five years.
The meeting also reviewed outcomes from the Space Retreat in October 2025, attended by ministers and over 100 leaders and officials, further demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to expanding its global footprint in the space sector.
Attendees included Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Secretary-General of the Supreme Space Council; Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism; Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; Lieutenant General Talal Humaid Belhoul, Vice President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre; and Major General Dr. Mubarak Saeed Ghafan Al Jabri, Assistant Undersecretary for Support and Defence Industries at the Ministry of Defence.