• The International Astronautical Congress - world's largest space congress - is taking place at the Paris Convention Centre from September 18 to 22. All photos: Sarwat Nasir / The National
    The International Astronautical Congress - world's largest space congress - is taking place at the Paris Convention Centre from September 18 to 22. All photos: Sarwat Nasir / The National
  • Hamad Al Marzooqi, UAE's Moon mission director, attends the IAC 2022 in Paris.
    Hamad Al Marzooqi, UAE's Moon mission director, attends the IAC 2022 in Paris.
  • A visitor takes a photo of a spacesuit that Indian astronauts will wear one day.
    A visitor takes a photo of a spacesuit that Indian astronauts will wear one day.
  • French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne speaks at the International Astronautical Congress 2022 in Paris on September 18.
    French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne speaks at the International Astronautical Congress 2022 in Paris on September 18.
  • French Prime Minister speaks at IAC 2022 in Paris.
    French Prime Minister speaks at IAC 2022 in Paris.
  • Visitors attend the opening ceremony of the IAC 2022 in Paris on September 18.
    Visitors attend the opening ceremony of the IAC 2022 in Paris on September 18.
  • Japan's space agency Jaxa is displaying asteroid samples at the space conference in Paris.
    Japan's space agency Jaxa is displaying asteroid samples at the space conference in Paris.
  • The Lockheed Martin stand at IAC 2022 in Paris displays satellites.
    The Lockheed Martin stand at IAC 2022 in Paris displays satellites.
  • Visitors at the IAC 2022 in Paris on September 18.
    Visitors at the IAC 2022 in Paris on September 18.
  • A model of the H2-A rocket at Japan's space agency JAXA's stand at IAC 2022 in Paris.
    A model of the H2-A rocket at Japan's space agency JAXA's stand at IAC 2022 in Paris.
  • Nasa's stand at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
    Nasa's stand at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
  • The UAE Space Agency and Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre are also participating at this year's IAC in Paris.
    The UAE Space Agency and Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre are also participating at this year's IAC in Paris.
  • A rocket display at the stand of the Indian space agency, or ISRO, at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
    A rocket display at the stand of the Indian space agency, or ISRO, at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
  • The Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander by ispace, the Japanese private company that will help the UAE land its rover on the Moon next month.
    The Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander by ispace, the Japanese private company that will help the UAE land its rover on the Moon next month.
  • A model of an exploration rover and astronaut suit at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
    A model of an exploration rover and astronaut suit at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
  • The Saudi space agency's stand at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
    The Saudi space agency's stand at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
  • An astronaut suit by the Indian space agency ISRO.
    An astronaut suit by the Indian space agency ISRO.
  • Rocket models at the IAC 2022 in Paris.
    Rocket models at the IAC 2022 in Paris.

World

Europe

Artemis Accords signatories meet for the first time

The US-led agreement outlines responsible space exploration

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir

September 19, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Signatories of the Artemis Accords, an international agreement led by the US that sets guidelines for responsible space exploration, met in-person for the first time on Monday at the International Astronautical Congress in Paris.

There are 21 signatories of the accords, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

China, Russia and India — all countries with a strong space programme — have yet to sign the agreement.

The accords aim to ensure responsible behaviour in space, especially the Moon, as countries look to launch crewed exploration missions to the its surface and to acquire lunar resources.

It is not yet legally binding and serves only as a framework for countries.

Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency, attended the signatories’ meeting on behalf of the UAE.

“During this meeting, heads of space agencies discussed future plans in the industry to ensure the safety of humans and deconfliction of activities on the Moon, as well as the importance of the Accords to emerging space nations,” she said.

Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency, attended the signatories’ meeting. Photo: Sarah Al Amiri Twitter
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology and chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency, attended the signatories’ meeting. Photo: Sarah Al Amiri Twitter

The UAE signed the accords in October 2020 and is working towards realising its long-term Moon exploration ambitions.

Its goals include developing and launching a number of rovers and orbiters to the Moon, as well as plans to send an Emirati to the surface.

Mike Gold, the former acting associate administrator for Nasa's Office of International and Interagency Relations, in 2020 told The National that the Artemis partnership lays the groundwork for partner countries to collaborate on lunar missions.

“The UAE can, and we hope will, become a strong and robust partner in the Artemis programme,” said Mr Gold, referring to a project that seeks to establish a human base on the Moon.

“We look forward to collaborating not only on lunar rovers, but on other forms of science and orbiters, and eventually human spaceflight as well.

“The UAE is not only ambitious, but it follows ambitions with funding and actions, which is why they are such an excellent partner for us to join in this unprecedented journey of discovery that is.”

Last year, the UAE Space Agency and Nasa held meetings to discuss the Artemis programme.

'The Batman'

Stars:Robert Pattinson

Director:Matt Reeves

Rating: 5/5

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%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EInform%20your%20doctor%20about%20your%20plans.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAsk%20about%20your%20treatment%20so%20you%20know%20how%20it%20works.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPay%20attention%20to%20your%20health%20if%20you%20travel%20to%20a%20hot%20destination.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPlan%20your%20trip%20well.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?

The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.

The Indo-Pacific

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
The biog:

Languages: Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, basic Russian 

Favourite food: Pizza 

Best food on the road: rice

Favourite colour: silver 

Favourite bike: Gold Wing, Honda

Favourite biking destination: Canada 

Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Updated: September 19, 2022, 2:49 PM
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