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Advanced Tech Adoption & Innovation Are UAE’s Top Priority
The United Arab Emirates is actively seeking to overcome technological challenges and will explore futuristic approaches to improve the digital economy.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, has explained that the adoption of advanced technologies is a top priority for the region, as the Emirates continues to push forward with its vision of an advanced digital economy through innovation. Although there are many challenges to overcome, the UAE is making incredible progress across multiple scientific and technological sectors, and has embraced a future-centric approach to developing and overhauling its economy.
Omar Sultan Al Olama recently visited the Industrial Innovation Group (IIG), a leading security printing, biometric and global systems innovator, headquartered in Sharjah. The Minister’s mission was to explore the group’s scientific research lab, uncover new trends in advanced technology, and discuss potential collaboration opportunities.
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The Minister of State for all things digital noted that when it comes to technology, the most innovative and forward-thinking tools must be deployed to ensure safety, quality, and reliability. Omar Sultan Al Olama praised the Industrial Innovation Group for its success in building a sizable operational base, with 263 centers for passports around the globe and 367 centers for licenses. In addition, the IIG group’s 400 intellectual property assets will help the UAE to lead in security documents and technology solutions worldwide.
The Industrial Innovation Group is the first group in the MENA region to establish real industrial production and implement system integration. IIG is the only company in the field of production of identification documents and security printing worldwide that does not depend on third-party technologies in its activities.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
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The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.