Bahrain appointed Chair of Arab Space Strategy Committee
This appointment recognises Bahrain's growing leadership role in the regional space sector, its institutional strength in strategic planning, and its notable success in advancing international cooperation.
Rasha Al Amad, Chief of Strategic Planning at the Bahrain Space Agency (BSA), has been appointed to chair the committee, which includes representatives from eight Arab space agencies. She will lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Arab Space Strategic Plan.
The committee aims to coordinate efforts at both national and regional levels to enhance collaboration, positioning the Arab region as a competitive force in the global space sector.
Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Al Aseeri, CEO of BSA, welcomed the appointment as recognition of the Agency's strong regional capabilities. He underscored BSA's commitment to close cooperation with Arab space agencies to establish a unified space strategy that promotes innovation, capacity-building, and enhances the region's position in global scientific and technological advancement.
He further noted that through this structured and collaborative process, the committee will work on establishing a comprehensive and unified strategy for the Arab space sector. This will include consultations with member states to define shared goals, aligning regional ambitions with global trends, and developing a clear roadmap that supports the sustainable growth of the sector across the region.
Al Amad expressed her honour in leading the committee, highlighting its key role in shaping the future of the Arab space sector. She stressed the importance of strong cooperation among member states, a structured approach to strategy development, and consistent coordination throughout its implementation.
She added that once the strategy is approved, the committee will oversee its implementation, monitor progress using agreed performance indicators, assess results, and issue regular reports on achievements and areas for improvement. This approach will ensure the Arab Space Strategic Plan remains flexible and responsive to changing regional and global developments.
This leadership role underscores the BSA's growing expertise in space governance, strategic planning, and international collaboration. It is worth noting that the Agency played a key role in formulating Bahrain's National Space Policy and its regulatory framework, laying the groundwork for sustainable development in this vital sector.
BNA(R)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
11 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Saudi Arabia Takes Lead in Global Push for Palestinian Statehood
Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing peace in the Middle East, with Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan announcing the Kingdom's co-chairing of a major international conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict this week in New York, alongside France. Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Prince Faisal said the Kingdom's role reflects its long-standing support for Palestinian rights and the pursuit of a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution. 'Under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom continues to work tirelessly to end the suffering of the Palestinian people and the violence caused by decades of occupation,' he said. The upcoming ministerial-level conference at the United Nations headquarters seeks to accelerate the implementation of key UN resolutions and pave the way for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Saudi-French initiative follows the September 2024 launch of the International Coalition for the Two-State Solution, led by Saudi Arabia, Norway, and the European Union. Prince Faisal also emphasized that the initiative aligns with the efforts of the joint Arab-Islamic ministerial committee, aimed at securing Palestinian statehood and fostering long-term peace and security in the region.
Daily Tribune
16 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain's Ebdaa links Tech to Climate goals
TDT | Manama Ebdaa Microfinance Company has been honoured with the 2025 Digital Transformation Leadership Award by the World Union of Arab Bankers for becoming the first Arab microfinance institution to connect full digitalisation with carbon emission reduction. The award underscores Bahrain-based Ebdaa's position as a regional pioneer in combining financial innovation with climate-conscious technology adoption in the microfinance sector. Prestigious Recognition Ebdaa's Chief Executive Officer Dr. Khaled Al-Ghazawi received the award during a high-level ceremony hosted by the World Union of Arab Bankers at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut. The event was attended by senior dignitaries including Dr. Wissam H. Fattouh, General Secretariat of the Union, along with local, Arab and international officials, and a representative of the President of Lebanon. Senior team members from Ebdaa who also attended included Mr. Yousif Qamber, Senior Supervisor of HR and Administrative Affairs, Mr. Hamzah Qtaishat, Senior Collection Officer, and Mr. Ali Issa, Senior IT Officer. Microfinance with a Mission 'This award is a testament to Ebdaa's leadership in advancing digital transformation within the microfinance sector,' said Dr. Al-Ghazawi. 'We are proud to be the first Arab microfinance institution to actively pursue carbon emission reduction through full digitalisation. This achievement reflects the strength of Bahrain's innovation ecosystem, supported by progressive regulatory frameworks, a solid ICT infrastructure, and a growing culture of digital awareness and adoption.' GCC Expansion Vision Dr. Al-Ghazawi added that the award serves as motivation for continued innovation in financial service delivery. He praised the dedication of the Ebdaa team for playing a key role in implementing top-tier digital solutions. He reaffirmed the company's commitment to staying ahead of evolving customer expectations and promoting financial inclusion through accessible and efficient services. 'At Ebdaa, we remain committed to investing in the latest technologies to deliver a seamless, future-ready banking experience that reflects our vision of contributing to economic and social development,' he said. 'These efforts form part of our broader strategic direction to expand our digital service offerings across the GCC region in the near future.'
Daily Tribune
16 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
BSA showcases Arab model for strategic space planning
The Bahrain Space Agency (BSA), in collaboration with the UN-affiliated Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Western Asia, held a workshop on strategic planning for space programmes, highlighting the Bahraini experience as a regional model. The workshop, attended by representatives from several Arab countries, aimed to foster regional cooperation and unify visions in the space sector. Technologies Yaqoob Al Qassab, Space Engineering Specialist, opened the workshop with a presentation on Bahrain's history in utilising space technologies, the national space policy framework, and the implementation mechanism of the agency's 2024–2028 strategic plan. He emphasised success factors including international cooperation, scientific research investment, national capacity building, and the importance of a supportive infrastructure for space projects. Aysha Al Haram, Chief Satellite Design Department at the BSA, presented a case study on translating strategic plans into tangible projects. Success She highlighted the success of Bahrain's joint satellite with the UAE, 'Light-1' (2021), and the national satellite 'Al Munther' (2025), the first Arab satellite to incorporate embedded artificial intelligence technologies. Al Haram emphasised the pivotal role of young Bahraini talent in successfully delivering these projects. She also outlined Bahrain's approach in linking strategic planning with practical space applications, such as using satellite data to monitor environmental challenges and establishing a satellite imagery lab to support decision-making in urban planning.
