SpaceOps 2023: UAE to host major space conference in March next year


Sarwat Nasir
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The UAE will host a global space conference in 2023, which will bring together leaders in the space industry.

It is the first time an Arab country will host the Space Operations forum since its inception in 1990.

Emirates won the rights to host the event in 2018 and it was scheduled for 2022 but has now been postponed to 2023.

The international forum is held once every two years and helps space nations explore the latest technologies.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre is organising the conference with the theme Invest in Space to Serve Earth and Beyond. It will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from March 5 to 9.

“Dubai SpaceOps is a unique opportunity to meet eastern and western world-class scientists, practitioners, engineers and leaders in the space industry to discuss the hot research topics and state-of-the-art technologies and innovations in the space sector,” Salem Al Marri, director-general of the space centre, said.

He said it was a “valuable opportunity for our distinguished delegates to explore all aspects of space mission operations".

“It also allows them to learn about the latest technologies and opportunities in this sector, and how advanced space technologies can contribute to finding solutions for the future of humanity,” he said.

Last year, the UAE hosted the International Astronautical Congress, the world’s largest space conference, with heads of major space agencies and private companies like Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin among the participants.

As well as helping space agencies and private companies explore the latest trends in the industry and providing a platform to make breaking announcements, space conferences are also a forum to form new partnerships and secure deals.

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Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Updated: January 27, 2022, 1:53 PM