By: Nanju Francisco
Manama: Achieving a significant milestone, the Kingdom of Bahrain successfully hosted the “6th International Space Forum at Ministerial Level – The Gulf Chapter (ISF 2024),” marking the first time the event took place in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This historic event highlighted Bahrain’s dedication to advancing space science and fostering international collaboration.
Bringing together global leaders, experts, and stakeholders, the forum which was supported by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the Italian Space Agency (ISA), underscored the region’s growing influence in the space sector and its commitment to innovation, diplomacy, and economic development through space technology.
H.E. Mohammed bin Thamer Al Kaabi, Minister of Transport and Communications and Chairman of the National Space Science Agency (NSSA), highlighted Bahrain’s dedication to space exploration. He emphasized NSSA’s efforts to promote innovation, knowledge exchange, and collaborative partnerships. The forum’s theme, “Space as a game-changer for diplomacy and economic development in the region,” reflected the critical role of space technology in advancing societal and governmental services.
H.E. Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), praised Bahrain’s hosting of ISF 2024 amid growing regional interest in space. He stressed the importance of topics such as Earth observation and space exploration, which are crucial for regional development.
Albudaiwi highlighted the achievements of GCC countries, including the UAE’s Hope Probe, Bahrain’s carbon emissions project with the UK, and Saudi Arabia’s ISS experiments with NASA. He noted the GCC space economy’s value exceeded $10 billion, with plans for further investment.
Professor Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), and Eugene Clayton Mowry, President of the IAF, expressed their support for NSSA and ISF 2024. They emphasized the importance of global collaboration and knowledge-sharing for sustainable space development.
