The event took place on the sidelines of the 2024 edition of The Abu Dhabi Space Debate. The joint workshop is a collaborative event aimed at bringing together experts, industry leaders, and government officials from the UAE and Japan to strengthen cooperation in the field of space exploration. The workshop was attended by leading government officials and figures including H.E Shihab Al Faheem, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UAE to Japan, and H.E Ken Okaniwa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the UAE, who both delivered opening remarks highlighting the importance of collaboration to advance the space sector, and a speech by H.E. Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology about the UAE value proposition. Followed by a series of presentations highlighting the space sector from both countries, and the Emirati-Japanese partnership in space sector, presented by H.E. Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency, H.E. Salem Al Marri, Director General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, Mr. Hideyuki Urata, Deputy Director-General, Manufacturing Industries Bureau at Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Dr. Hiroshi YAMAKAWA, President of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Aimed at deepening the UAE’s strategic relations with Japan in the space sector, the workshop is a step towards strengthening bilateral relations and promoting shared goals in the global space industry, while exploring opportunities for partnerships and innovation. H.E Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General of the UAE Space Agency said: “The collaboration between the UAE and Japan reflects a shared commitment to advancing global space exploration and innovation. Our continued collaboration aligns with the UAE’s National Space Strategy 2030 and together, we are driving meaningful progress, fostering sustainability, and paving the way for a brighter future in the space sector.” Participants engaged in group discussions to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders in the space sector between the two countries. The group discussions provided a platform for attendees to share their organisation's mission, expertise, and recent achievements in the space sector. These sessions included space accessibility space exploration, earth observation, navigation, and telecommunication.

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