Saudi Arabia Elected First Vice-Chair Of UN Space Committee

[Akinola Kholid]

Saudi Arabia has achieved another important milestone in the global space sector after being elected as the first vice-chair of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). The appointment highlights the Kingdom's growing role in international space cooperation and governance.

The announcement was made during the latest session of COPUOS held in Vienna, Austria. The committee is one of the United Nations' key bodies responsible for promoting the peaceful exploration and use of outer space for the benefit of all countries.

Representing Saudi Arabia in the new leadership position is Muryah Al-Shahrani, the General Manager of Space Systems and Infrastructure at the Saudi Space Agency. His appointment reflects the confidence of the international community in Saudi Arabia's contributions to space development and policy.

Al-Shahrani is recognized as one of Saudi Arabia's leading space experts. Over the years, he has participated in several international initiatives related to space governance and has actively contributed to discussions on the future of space exploration and sustainability.

He has also been involved in the global DebriSolver competition, an initiative focused on finding innovative solutions to the growing challenge of space debris. Space debris consists of inactive satellites, rocket parts, and other objects orbiting Earth that can pose risks to active spacecraft.

In addition, Al-Shahrani has played a significant role in strengthening Saudi Arabia's capabilities in Space Situational Awareness (SSA), a critical field that tracks and monitors objects in space. His election as first vice-chair further demonstrates Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space on the global stage.

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