UAE and Egypt sign MoU to strengthen space cooperation
The United Arab Emirates and Egypt have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in space activities for peaceful purposes, marking a significant milestone in regional space collaboration. The agreement, signed between the UAE Space Agency and the Egyptian Space Agency, was formalised on the sidelines of the NewSpace Africa Conference and the 11th Meeting of the Arab Space Cooperation Group, held in Cairo.
Leading the UAE delegation was Eng. Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, who also attended the inauguration of the African Space Agency headquarters on April 20, 2025. The event brought together prominent space leaders, ministers, and officials from across Africa, emphasising the continent's growing role in global space development.
Al Qubaisi hailed the MoU as a pivotal step in advancing Arab cooperation in the space sector. He highlighted the UAEs belief in space as a strategic platform for achieving sustainable development, fostering innovation, and encouraging knowledge exchange to address regional and global challenges. He noted that the agreement reflects the shared vision between the UAE and Egypt to invest in human capital, localise scientific expertise and build a resilient, innovation-led economy.
The agreement outlines a broad framework for long-term collaboration in civil space initiatives. Areas of focus include Earth observation, satellite communication, remote sensing, space situational awareness, navigation and timing systems, remote asset management, and research in emerging space technologies. It also supports the exchange of technical knowledge, joint development of space projects and alignment with the sustainable development goals of both nations.
The UAE Space Agency emphasised that the MoU with Egypt fits within the broader UAE vision of being a reliable regional and global player in the space sector. It demonstrates the countrys commitment to strengthening ties with Arab nations, promoting scientific advancement and leveraging space technologies for community service and future resilience.
By joining forces with Egypt, the UAE adds another key partner to its expanding network of international space collaborations, reinforcing its commitment to peaceful space exploration and shared technological progress for generations to come.
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