Middle East Space Conference
Kicks Off in Muscat

Muscat,
26 Jan 2026 (ONA) — The second edition of the Middle East Space Conference,
hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, began today at the Oman Convention and
Exhibition Centre.

As many as 500 experts and CEOs
in the space sector from government agencies and private sector companies
representing 30 countries, in addition to more than 85 speakers are taking part
in the event.

The opening of the conference was
held under the patronage of HH Sayyid Dr. Kamil bin Fahad Al Said, Secretary General
at the Secretariat General of the Council of Ministers.

Over
three days, the conference will focus on several objectives, most notably:
providing a platform that brings together decision-makers to enhance space
diplomacy by encouraging international and regional cooperation to transfer
expertise and localize best practices; attracting experts and investors to
explore promising investment opportunities at the local and regional levels;
highlighting the Sultanate of Oman’s position as a leading regional gateway for
space services and applications supporting economic diversification; in
addition to transferring and localizing space knowledge and technologies and
building national capacities to ensure the sustainable growth of the sector.

Dr.
Ali Amer Al Shethani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport,
Communications, and Information Technology for Communications and Information
Technology, stated: “The space sector in the Sultanate of Oman represents
a qualitative leap and accelerated growth, resulting from a clear national
vision, enlightened by the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin
Tarik Al Said and the sound implementation of the strategic initiatives
outlined within the framework of the National Policy and Executive Program for
the Space Sector (2023–2033), which was launched with Royal blessings in
January 2023.”

In
his speech, he added that the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and
Information Technology, represented by the National Space Program, in
cooperation with its local and international partners, has dedicated diligent
efforts across various fundamental axes to develop the space sector, especially
in the field of building national capacities, scientific research and
innovation, and entrepreneurship.

He
pointed out that the Sultanate of Oman has become a “model hub” for
the space world in general, and the region in particular, since the previous
edition of the conference in January 2024. This is thanks to the successful
experimental launch of a rocket from the experimental launch platform in the
Wilayat of Duqm in Al Wusta Governorate, which created a wide resonance in the
global space sector and turned ambitions into reality.

He
reviewed the signing of the agreement for “Designing, Manufacturing, and
Launching the Omani Communications Satellite” with Airbus Defence and
Space, considering it one of the enabling and accelerating projects for the
growth of the space sector, empowering local institutions operating in the
sector, and maximizing the local value added from the project.

He
noted that field surveys have shown clear growth of this sector in the
Sultanate of Oman since the launch of the policy until the end of 2025, as the
number of companies operating in the sector doubled, investments rose by 200
percent, leading to a threefold increase in the number of available jobs within
it. Consequently, the sector’s contribution to the comprehensive development of
the digital economy increased.

The
Undersecretary stated that the space economy in recent years has surpassed the
barrier of $600 billion, with expectations to reach about $1.8 trillion by
2035, driven by the shift towards low Earth orbit, the increasing role of the
private sector, and the emergence of new space services such as in-orbit
servicing and manufacturing in microgravity environments. This makes space a
pivotal element in sustainable development and future economies.

For
his part, Pacôme Révillon – CEO of Novaspace, stated that the conference
proceedings embody the Sultanate of Oman’s keenness to enhance the status of
the space sector as a strategic pillar for national development and a promising
path for long-term sustainable progress. Stemming from a clear vision
represented in supporting regional cooperation and promoting innovation in the
space sector across the Middle East.

He
added in his speech that over the next three days, the conference sessions,
with the participation of an elite group of decision-makers from governments,
agencies, and industrial institutions, will discuss ways to employ space
capabilities to serve national and regional priorities. The discussions will
include multiple topics, ranging from national strategies and regulatory
frameworks, through infrastructure and services, to education, research, and
innovation, reflecting the breadth of dimensions of the space sector and its
renewed dynamism.

The,
HH Sayyid Dr. Kamil bin Fahad Al Said, Secretary General at the Secretariat General
of the Council of Ministers, and Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of
Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, crowned the winners of Oman
Space Accelerator Program, which attracted 10 startups within an intensive
program lasting 15 weeks, including specialized technical and commercial
training and mentorship from local and international experts.

The
proceedings of the first day of the conference included the signing of two
agreements: The first, the “Artemis Accords,” an international
agreement between the Sultanate of Oman and the United States of America,
aiming to enhance cooperation in the peaceful exploration of space, regulate
partnerships related to the return to the Moon, prepare for future missions to
Mars, and establish common frameworks for civil space activities. It is
expected to enhance the Sultanate of Oman’s position on the global scientific
and technological exploration map and open wide horizons for youth and
researchers in space sciences and future applications.

The
second agreement came in the context of supporting strategic partnerships in
the space services sector, as an agreement was signed between the Omani
Telecommunications Company “Omantel” and OQ Gas Networks, aiming to
provide satellite services for monitoring and controlling gas pipeline
networks.

On
the sidelines of the conference, an exhibition was held featuring more than 50
local and international companies specialized in space technologies and
sciences, aiming to bring together service and technology providers and users
to exchange expertise, build effective partnerships between actors in the
sector’s supply chain, in addition to attracting investment opportunities,
establishing new commercial partnerships, and raising awareness about
technological progress in the space industry.

The
conference included a number of sessions and papers on the space sector,
including: Space Strategies in the Middle East from Ambition to Reality,
Seizing Investment Opportunities in the Omani Space Sector, Building
Cross-Border Partnerships from the Perspective of Global Space Agencies,
Building International Partnerships to Advance the Space Industry, Enabling
Access to Space in the Middle East, Developing the Next Generation of Space
Infrastructure, and Financing Future Horizons.

Meanwhile,
the MB Group of Companies and the global company Eutelsat signed an agreement
to enhance satellite communication services in the Sultanate of Oman,
supporting the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 and providing secure, resilient,
and sustainable connectivity that raises the readiness of the national digital
infrastructure and supports the digital economy and economic diversification.

Mahfooz
Salim Al Sheikh, Deputy CEO of “Diraa” Company, specializing in
defense and space communications, stated that the agreement aims to design,
build, and launch a large macro-geostationary satellite of the type MB-Sat-1
into orbit and begin providing satellite communication services in early 2027.

He
added in a statement to Oman News Agency that the agreement covers the
satellite’s geographic footprint for the entire Middle East region in addition
to the Sultanate of Oman. The main hub and infrastructure will be located
within the Sultanate of Oman, with additional ground stations and contact
points geographically distributed around the region to support customers and core
operations.

— Ends/AH