UAE Space Agency signs Memorandum of Understanding with Kazakhstan

Abu Dhabi: The UAE Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the signing taking place on Monday at the National Space Centre of Kazakhstan.

Present during the signing was Dr Khalifa Al Rumaithi, chairman of the UAE Space Agency, and Meirbek Moldabekov, deputy chairman of the Kazakh Investment and Development Ministry’s Aerospace Committee.

The MoU agreement between both parties will see them collaborate in the fields of space exploration, space science, research, and technology.

Speaking on the MoU, Al Rumaithi said that the agreement was in line with the UAE Space Agency’s goals of setting up international partnerships with countries around the world.

“Our agreement with the Republic of Kazakhstan falls within the strategic visions of both the Space Agency and the UAE. This includes working towards closer international cooperation, establishing mutually beneficial international partnerships and exchanging scientific knowledge with the rest of the world.”

“The UAE Space Agency recognises the importance of international collaboration in the field of peaceful exploitation of outer space, as this field is considered part of humankind’s common heritage. It is extremely important in our view for all competent entities in this field to work together towards the common goal of enhancing the welfare of humanity,” he added.

Moldabekov said he was positive that the MoU would enhance bilateral ties.

“This MoU will strengthen cooperation in space sciences, research, technology and services, as well as the existing strong relations between the two countries.”

With the latest MoU signing, Kazakhstan joins a long list of other countries and space agencies that have entered into agreements with the UAE Space Agency – including countries like the United Kingdom, Japan, France, and Russia.

The UAE Space Agency is currently overseeing the UAE’s Mars Hope 2020 mission, which will see an unmanned space probe sent to the Red Planet, the first of its kind from the Arab and Islamic world.