Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. ARCHIVE

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Supreme Space Council, has unveiled a new national strategy that aims to put the country among the world’s top 10 space economies by 2031. The announcement came during the Council’s second meeting on Sunday (November 23), where Sheikh Hamdan reviewed the results of the Space Economic Survey and launched the National Space Industries Programme. Sheikh Hamdan said the UAE’s updated space strategy is built on creating the most agile and investment-friendly space ecosystem, strengthening the country’s position as a global leader in partnerships and market access, and ensuring the UAE develops world-class space infrastructure. He described the space sector as one of the country’s most strategic economic pillars, adding that it plays a central role in building a knowledge-driven economy and developing technologies that enhance national readiness for future global challenges. He stressed that investment in space has become essential to boosting the competitiveness of UAE space industries and enabling them to meet growing global demand. “The new strategic approach for the space sector reaffirms the UAE’s commitment to developing an advanced space ecosystem and establishing a national space industry capable of competing on the global stage, with the support of effective partnerships with the private sector,” he said. Sheikh Hamdan added that international confidence in the UAE’s regulatory environment and infrastructure was evident in the interest shown by leading global companies. “Driven by this vision, we are working to increase the value added by the space economy by 60 percent, double its overall returns and position the United Arab Emirates among the world’s top ten space economies by 2031,” he said. He also emphasised the goal of doubling investments in national space infrastructure and the number of national companies operating in space fields. The Space Economic Survey highlighted major growth in the sector over the past five years, including a 49 percent increase in public and private spending. Spending on research and development has increased ninefold since 2019, while the number of Emirati women working in the space sector has risen by 51 percent in the past year, reflecting the maturity of the UAE’s talent development framework. The meeting also marked the official launch of the National Space Industries Programme, which introduces new investment incentives, financial and operational support systems, and expanded access to both local and international markets. The programme is designed to accelerate knowledge transfer, expand technological capabilities and double the number of space companies and space-related exports over the next five years. Officials also reviewed the outcomes of the Space Retreat held in October 2025, which was attended by ministers and more than 100 leaders and representatives from major national and international companies. Senior officials present at the meeting included Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Lt Gen Talal Humaid Belhoul and Maj Gen Dr Mubarak Saeed Ghafan Al Jabri. The new strategy underlines the UAE’s ambition to strengthen its global footprint in the space economy and establish itself as a centre for innovation-driven industries. ICA/Expat Media
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