UAE Space Law: Workshop announces details
The law consists of nine chapters and 54 articles that regulate space activities across the country and governs the UAE Space Agency’s role in this regard
The UAE Space Agency has announced the details of the new UAE Space Law issued by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The announcement was made during an introductory workshop for the UAE Space Law, organised by the UAE Space Agency and held in Abu Dhabi. Previously, the law was passed by the UAE Cabinet, headed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in late 2019.
During the workshop, the Agency revealed the details of the first law of its kind in the Arab and Islamic world, which aims to create a legislative and regulatory environment for the national space sector in line with the other laws and regulations in the UAE.
The UAE Space Law consists of nine chapters and 54 articles that regulate space activities across the country and governs the Agency’s role in this regard.
It clarifies the mechanism for issuing space activity permits; registering space objects and vehicles; responsibility and insurance regulations for space activities; space accidents and risks regulations; the transitional period for current operators regulations; the provisions for regulating the construction of facilities on other planets, as well as the utilisation of space resources and developing space debris mitigation measures.
The new law aims to adhere to international treaties, and be clear, transparent, and flexible. It also aims to protect the UAE’S interests through establishing a balance between economic and commercial requirements, encourage innovation, adhere to the requirements of security, safety, and protect the environment, as well as drive investment and promote the participation of the private sector in the space industry.
The law is being implemented during a transformational time within the global space sector, as the transition to New Space continues to present new opportunities for start-ups and small to medium-sized businesses, including those recently incubated within the UAE in partnership with Kryptolabs and Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, to enter the market and contribute to the sector’s growth and development.
The workshop was attended by Dr. Ahmed Bin Abdulla Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency; Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, UNOOSA; Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director-general of the UAE Space Agency, as well as executives and experts in the space sector, relevant governmental and non-governmental bodies, and representatives of embassies for countries that have cooperative space projects and agreements with the UAE.
Dr. Ahmed Al Falasi said, “The new law regulates space activities to facilitate the development of a prosperous and safe space sector in the UAE, which realises our wise leadership’s vision for the sector. It also sets a clear framework for the rights and duties of officials and establishments operating in this sector and guarantees the rights of all relevant parties, in compliance with the international agreements and treaties signed by the UAE.”
“The new law reinforces the UAE’S leading position in the international space sector, where it now stands among a few nations that have such laws, particularly since it covers relatively new activities which are not yet addressed in other laws around the world, as well as other future activities which the UAE intends to develop the appropriate infrastructure for in the near future,” the Minister added.
“The law will be a key factor in opening the doors for investment in the national space sector to various global companies, due to its legislative and regulatory environment, which provides foreign investors with assurance ahead of starting their business and projects in the UAE,” Dr. Al Falasi added.
Commenting on the announcement, Al Ahbabi said, “The enactment of the new space law will provide the UAE with an integrated legislative system for the space sector, making it a reference for regional and international space projects. The law will contribute to keeping pace with the rapid growth of the space sector and regulating the work of its various stakeholders within one ecosystem that promotes the sector and its capabilities and ensures the optimal use of its resources.”