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Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed, Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed and other officials at the launch of the national space programme at the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre, which will host the International Astronautical Congress 2020. Image Credit: WAM/GN Archives

Dubai: UAE has won the bid to host 71st International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in 2020 Dubai.

UAE will be the first Arab and Islamic country to host the IAC.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said that the UAE’s hosting of the 71st International Astronautical Congress proves once again that the world trusts the country's capabilities.

In a series of tweets, Shaikh Mohammad said: “Winning the UAE's bid to host the 71st International Astronautical Congress, proves once again that the world trusts our capabilities”.

“This achievement is a source of pride for everyone in the UAE, citizens and residents, and is the result of concerted national efforts”, Shaikh Mohammad tweeted.

 

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, also said on Friday that holding the event in Dubai recognises the UAE's growing status in space science and exploration.

Last month, Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre had announced the submission of the official bid proposal to the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), to host the 71st International Astronautical Congress in 2020 in Dubai. 

MBRSC’s bid proposal includes a thorough explantation about the UAE space sector, the Centre’s proposed plan to host the congress, importance of hosting IAC for the first time in an Arab and Islamic country, its positive impact on the space sector in the country and the region.

In addition to that, the bid proposal mentioned the financial cost and various information about Dubai's economic, cultural and tourism advantages, a Dubai media office announced on its website.

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Mohammad Bin Rashid and Mohamad Bin Zayed review plans and projects during a tour of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre in Dubai. Image Credit: Twitter
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Mohammad Bin Rashid, Mohammad Bin Zayed and Shaikh Hamdan at the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre for the launch of the national space programme in April this year. Image Credit: WAM/Gulf News Archives
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