The Canadian Business Council (CBC) Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the Embassy of Canada in the UAE organized “A Conversation with UAE Space Agency (UAESA) Director General, H.E. Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) President, Mr. Sylvain Laporte” on Wednesday, 20 March 2019 at St. Regis Saadiyat Island. The event gathered delegates of the UAESA, CSA and Global Space Congress and members of CBC Abu Dhabi.  

H.E. Masud Husain, Ambassador of Canada to the UAE

H.E. Masud Husain, Ambassador of Canada to the UAE gave a welcome remarks and spoke of the growing relationship between Canada and the UAE and their collaborative efforts in space exploration.  

Gregory Zoughbi, Chairman of the Canadian Business Council (CBC) Abu Dhabi

Gregory Zoughbi, Chairman of CBC Abu Dhabi welcomed and introduced the honored speakers, noting on CBC’s role in promoting business relations, commerce and investment between Canada and the UAE through its Communities of Interest (COI) initiative.

From left to right: H.E. Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General of UAE Space Agency, Sylvain Laporte, President of Canadian Space Agency, and Mustafa Alrawi, Assistant Editor-in-Chief of The National

Mustafa Alrawi, Assistant Editor-In-Chief of The National opened the discussion by how the investment in space will benefit different sectors such as energy, construction, education, media and others; and what opportunities it may have to offer to society.

It was a historic moment for the UAE when it launched its first Emirati-made satellite in 2018. H.E. Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency spoke of how this vision came into reality because of the country’s dedicated leadership who foresaw the future of this nation as well as the region. The UAE’s space program has various initiatives such as hosting the Global Space Congress and teaming up with different countries, such as Canada, with the same passion for space exploration. 

Canada has been exploring the space for decades. Sylvain Laporte, President of Canadian Space Agency spoke of the many lessons learned throughout this program. One of these is, a country cannot do space exploration without the international collaboration. Mr. Laporte expressed how the UAE, with its space agency’s short time of existence, is able to achieve great milestones.

The topic on Canada’s commitment to the Lunar Gateway by providing smart robotic system was also discussed wherein Mr. Laporte explained how this system will work and how Canada has taken advantage of the technologies from the two Canadarms. There are many sectors and investment funding involved keeping this project ongoing.

Mr. Alrawi concluded the informative discussion stating that UAE and Canada have driven inspiration for the youth to get involved in space initiatives. UAE and Canada encourage innovation, commercialization and diversity in space.

From left to right: Gregory Zoughbi, Chairman of the Canadian Business Council (CBC) Abu Dhabi, Sylvain Laporte, President of Canadian Space Agency, H.E. Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General of UAE Space Agency, and Mustafa Alrawi, Assistant Editor-in-Chief of The National

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About the Canadian Business Council Abu Dhabi

The Canadian Business Council Abu Dhabi (CBC) promotes business relations, commerce and investment between Canada and the UAE with a particular focus on the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. We provide opportunities for Canadian business executives in the UAE to meet on a regular basis and to exchange information about business opportunities. As a link with organizations in Canada, CBC Abu Dhabi is dedicated to the development of trade and corporate investment between Canada and the UAE and assist Canadian companies and business people who are establishing or contemplating to establish a trading base in this country. www.cbcabudhabi.com

About the Canadian Space Agency

The Canadian Space Agency, established in 1989, is responsible for coordinating all government-funded space activities in Canada. Some of the CSA's more high-profile projects include its robotics, most famously the Canadarm and Canadarm2. http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/Default.asp

About the UAE Space Agency

The UAE Space Agency is a federal agency that was created under Federal Law by Decree No. 1 of 2014. The space sector includes all projects, activities and programs related to outer space. The Agency is focused on the development of policies, strategies and plans related to the space sector that are approved by the Council of Ministers. https://www.space.gov.ae/Home/Index   

About the Global Space Congress

The Global Space Congress, hosted by the UAE Space Agency, is a strategic gathering of global space industry leaders. Promoting the worldwide industry of space, the Congress brings together over 600 key space agencies, commercial space, academia and end users of space services to evaluate the biggest opportunities in the space sector and to get exposure to the world’s most vibrant and energetic new space programmes. Focused on partnerships, the Congress enables these leaders to focus on collaborative development and the implementation of core space and satellite technology strategies, bringing global and regional economic benefits. https://www.globalspacecongress.com/