Oman to host 2nd Middle East Space Conference

MUSCAT: The second Middle East Space Conference, organised by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in partnership with Novaspace, will open this Monday at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre and continue for three days.
The conference will be inaugurated by HH Sayyid Dr Kamil bin Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Secretary-General of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.
Dr Ali bin Amer al Shaithani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology, said the second edition builds on the success of the inaugural event. The conference is expected to attract more than 450 senior decision-makers representing over 190 entities from more than 20 countries.
Al Shaithani said the conference will bring together government leaders, space agencies, senior industry executives, investors, innovators and academic institutions to help shape the next phase of growth for the Middle East’s space sector. He noted that the event serves as a high-level platform for strategic dialogue and partnership-building, reinforcing the Sultanate of Oman’s position as a key gateway for space applications, infrastructure development and regional investment.
He explained that the programme is designed to address strategic, operational and enabling aspects of space sector development. Sessions will cover national space policies, agency strategies, satellite programmes, ground systems, financing mechanisms and international cooperation frameworks, while highlighting Oman’s evolving space landscape.
Al Shaithani said the programme will also focus on practical applications of space technologies, particularly satellite communications and Earth observation; and their role in supporting connectivity, urban development, energy, climate resilience, environmental sustainability and critical infrastructure protection.
He added that by bringing together public and private sector stakeholders, the conference aims to accelerate cooperation, stimulate investment and support the development of sustainable space capabilities aligned with regional priorities and global market trends. The event also reflects Oman’s ambition to play an active role in the regional space economy, while reinforcing its position as a neutral, forward-looking platform for international cooperation.
An accompanying exhibition will be held alongside the conference, featuring government entities; and local and international private companies operating in the space sector. The exhibition aims to connect service providers and users on a single platform, facilitate knowledge exchange, build partnerships across the supply chain, showcase the latest technologies and innovations, attract investment opportunities and raise awareness of advances in the space industry.
Al Shaithani said the conference will also host a meeting of the Arab Space Cooperation Group, strengthening Arab coordination and integration in space-related fields through shared expertise and experience. Additional events include familiarisation tours for international delegations to showcase Oman’s key tourist attractions, enhancing its international profile. Scientific and recreational activities in astronomy and space sciences will also be organised to promote scientific literacy and stimulate public interest in space technologies.
He added that several memoranda of understanding and partnership agreements between government and private entities, locally and internationally, will be signed during the conference, underscoring its growing role as a regional platform for strategic cooperation in the space sector. — ONA