Muscat – The second edition of the Middle East Space Conference will open on Monday at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing together senior policymakers and industry leaders from across the globe to discuss the future of the regional space sector.
The three-day conference is organised by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) in partnership with Novaspace. The opening will be held under the patronage of Dr Kamil bin Fahd al Said, Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.
H E Dr Ali bin Amer al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology at MTCIT, said the event builds on the success of its inaugural edition and is expected to attract more than 450 senior decision-makers representing over 190 entities from more than 20 countries.
“The conference brings together government leaders, space agencies, industry executives, investors, innovators and academic institutions to help shape the next phase of growth of the space sector in the Middle East,” Shidhani said, describing it as a platform for strategic dialogue and partnership building. He added that the event reinforces Oman’s role as a regional gateway for space applications, infrastructure development and investment.
According to Shidhani, the programme will address strategic, operational and enabling aspects of space sector development. Sessions will cover national space policies, agency strategies, satellite programmes, ground systems, financing models and frameworks for international cooperation, alongside updates on Oman’s evolving space landscape.
He said discussions will focus on the practical applications of space technologies, particularly satellite communications and Earth observation, and their role in supporting connectivity, urban planning, energy, climate resilience, environmental sustainability and the protection of critical infrastructure.
An accompanying exhibition will feature government entities and local and international private companies operating in the space sector. The exhibition aims to connect service providers and users, promote knowledge exchange, showcase new technologies and highlight investment and partnership opportunities across the supply chain. The conference will also host a meeting of the Arab Space Cooperation Group, aimed at strengthening coordination and knowledge-sharing among Arab countries. Side events include astronomy and space science activities for the public, as well as tours for international delegations to highlight Oman’s tourism potential.
Several memoranda of understanding and partnership agreements between local and international public and private institutions are expected to be signed during the conference, underscoring its growing role as a regional platform for cooperation in the space sector.
