Bahrain joins major UN space committee

The United Nations has recently endorsed the membership of the Kingdom of Bahrain in the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).

Commenting on the landmark achievement, Defence Affairs Minister and the Minister in Charge of the National Space Science Agency (NSSA), Lieutenant-General Yussef bin Ahmed Al-Jalahma said it was the fruitful outcome of the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander, the efforts of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, and the follow-up of the Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF), Field Marshal Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

It is also the result of the NSSA’s continuous efforts to build national competencies in the field of space and its various sciences to achieve the goals of its strategic plan aiming to enhance space sciences in the kingdom, the minister said.

He lauded the exploit, noting that it is a step forward to reassert Bahrain’s leadership in various space sciences.

The kingdom’s accession to the UN- COPUOS will contribute to enhancing international cooperation in the field of space activities, he said, adding Bahrain will benefit from the expertise and applications provided by member states.

NSSA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Asiri, expressed sincere thanks to the defence minister for his constant support for NSSA, which, he said, contributed to its attaining various achievements.

He also expressed deepest thanks and gratitude to NSSA’s board chairman and members for their constant follow-up.

Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Asiri affirmed that NSSA seeks to take advantage of all available potentials to consolidate the kingdom’s status in the field of space.