He emphasized the importance of its role in highlighting knowledge to serve humanity

Imran Sharaf: “Expo” is an important window for “space diplomacy”

  • Expo plays a major role in bringing peoples together.

    Emirates today

  • The space sector is one of the priorities of the UAE.

    archival

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The Director of the Emirates Mars Exploration Project (Hope Probe), Engineer Imran Sharaf, stressed the importance of scientific diplomacy, or "space diplomacy" in bringing peoples closer together, stimulating cooperation, narrowing differences, and highlighting knowledge for the service of all humanity.

He said that "Expo 2020 Dubai", which lasts six months, in which 192 countries are participating, is an important window on the world for the countries and sectors participating in it, including the space sector, pointing to the need to shed light on the development and space industry around the world, and the importance of this sector for humans. in particular, and for the planet in general.

The exhibition devoted a whole week to space (October 17-23), during which a dialogue session was held with Emirati astronauts, entertainment, artistic and scientific activities were shown, and information on space sciences was disseminated, including the "Learning to Read Stars" event and the "Space Travel Activity". and “sustainability of the space environment,” and others.

He said, "The UAE passed this year a very important stage in the space sector," referring to its arrival to Mars.

He added, "The exhibition is not only a global event to showcase the cultures of other countries, but rather a platform for presenting scientific, technical and cultural achievements in the world."

He stated that «one of the reasons for the establishment of the space sector in the UAE at a very rapid pace is that this sector depends on international cooperation. The UAE did not view the UAE space program as a race with other countries, but rather as an opportunity to cooperate with others, which contributed to activating the role of the sector and accelerating its development and progress as well. It also contributed to placing the UAE at the forefront of countries that have a role in the global space program.

He stressed that «the space sector in the UAE is going through a very important stage, as the state has invested in the past, through the (Hope Probe) project and the projects that preceded it, in attracting knowledge to the state from abroad, and building the capabilities of Emirati youth through knowledge transfer programs. Today, after His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, announced the upcoming mission, which is the UAE mission to explore the planet Venus. And the asteroid belt, the focus will be on transferring knowledge from the UAE space sector to the private sector, to create a stimulating environment to support an advanced science and technology sector in the country. This will serve, at the same time, the economy of the UAE in facing various challenges, including the challenges of water and food resources.”

He continued, "The space sector, as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum mentioned, is a tool or a means for higher and greater goals to build the infrastructure and system that we need to contain scientists and engineers, and capabilities that contribute to achieving the higher goals of the state."

He stressed the existence of many different and ambitious projects in the space sector in the UAE, including the "KhalifaSat" project, which is a sensing satellite, the Rashid project to study the moon, the project to explore the planet Venus, and the asteroid belt.

The space sector is one of the priorities of the UAE, and investments in this sector are large, serving various goals in the country, and this is the beginning of greater achievements in the future.

Regarding the sector's participation in the Space Week at Expo 2020 Dubai, he said that "the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center and the competent authorities in the space sector in the country have a major role in (Expo)." As for the space week, there are various participations, including giving lectures, holding seminars, or receiving incoming delegations to discuss cooperation in the space sector and participate in capacity building, not only at the level of the UAE, but at the level of the region, and this is a great opportunity for countries to work with each other, We, as the UAE space sector, have decided to take advantage of this opportunity in the (Expo) to build and strengthen these relations. It will be the start of larger cooperation and ambitious projects in the world and the region.”

He said, "The beauty of (Expo) is that it is an event that plays a major role in bringing peoples together and introducing peoples to their different customs and traditions.

Moreover, cooperation in the space sector is not only technical, but also through the promotion of rapprochement between people and different cultures.

For example, in the Hope Probe project, there are scientists from around the world, studying Mars, such as the atmosphere, the surface of Mars, or other things related to Mars, and each one comes from a different country, culture and background, and everyone works together to understand this planet with the aim of serving humanity.

And (Expo) enhances this approach, because it consolidates the rapprochement between peoples and cultures.”

Eng. Imran Sharaf:

• "The UAE passed this year a very important stage in the space sector."

• "We view the space program as an opportunity to cooperate with others, not as a race."