Saudi Space Agency and the United Nations: A partnership for space sustainability

In a move reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening its leading role in the global space sector, the Saudi Space Agency a strategic memorandum of understanding with the United Nations, represented by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). This signing, which took place on the sidelines of the Space Debris Conference, marks a pivotal moment in international cooperation aimed at protecting the space environment and ensuring its sustainability for future generations.

Historical context and ambitious vision

This Saudi move is not a spontaneous one, but rather an extension of a series of rapid steps taken by the Kingdom since the establishment of the Saudi Space Agency in 2018, which later became the Saudi Space Agency. These efforts fall within the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , which prioritizes the space sector and innovation to diversify the national economy and build advanced human capital. The Kingdom demonstrated its commitment in this field by sending astronauts Rayana Barnawi and Ali Al-Qarni to the International Space Station, thus strengthening its position as an active player in the international space community.

The importance of the agreement and its global impact

This memorandum is of particular importance given the growing challenges facing the international community, most notably the problem of space debris . With the increasing number of satellites and space missions, orbital space has become congested, threatening the safety of space assets and the communications and navigation infrastructure upon which the world depends daily. Therefore, the cooperation between the Kingdom and the United Nations aims to:

• Establishing regulatory frameworks that support the responsible and safe use of space.
• Strengthening international efforts to reduce the risks posed by space debris.
• Ensuring that outer space remains a peaceful and sustainable resource for all humanity.

Areas of cooperation and future prospects

Under this memorandum, the two sides will work to develop a joint framework that includes the exchange of technical and scientific expertise and support for national capacity-building programs in the fields of space science and engineering. The agreement also focuses on promoting research, development, and innovation, enabling Saudi professionals to benefit from accumulated international expertise.

Through this partnership, the Saudi Space Agency seeks to consolidate its position as an influential soft power, contributing to the formulation of international space policies, and affirming its commitment to international charters and treaties that call for the peaceful use of outer space, away from militarization or conflicts, and in a way that serves the interests of humanity and scientific progress.