UAE Prime Minister Announces Creation Of First Arab Group On Space Cooperation

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th March, 2019) United Arab Emirates (UAE) Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced on Tuesday establishment of a first Arab space coordination group comprising 11 states.

"During the opening of the Global Space Congress in Abu Dhabi, we attended the launch of the first Arab space coordination group that includes 11 countries. The group's first project will be a satellite built by Arab scientists in the UAE. I personally believe in Arab talents," the prime minister wrote on Twitter.

The prime minister also added that the new satellite would be called "813.

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"We called the new satellite '813' in reference to the date that marked the beginning of prosperity for the House of Wisdom in Baghdad under the reign of Al-Ma'mun. Resembling our region, the House embraced scientists, translated notable texts and produced scientific capabilities," Sheikh Al Maktoum noted.

The Global Space Congress is taking place in Dubai on March 19-21. The congress is one of the key events bringing together space sector leaders of the middle East and North Africa region.