• 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.

Artemis Accords signatories meet for the first time


Sarwat Nasir
  • 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.

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Results

6.30pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $36,000 (Dirt) 1,600m, Winner: RB Money To Burn, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Turf) 2,410m, Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

7.40pm: Meydan Trophy – Conditions (TB) $50,000 (T) 1,900m, Winner: Secret Protector, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 - Group 2 (TB) $293,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass

8.50pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m, Winner: Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (T) 1,000m, Winner: Motafaawit, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson

Scoreline

Man Utd 2 Pogba 27', Martial 49'

Everton 1 Sigurdsson 77'

Short-term let permits explained

Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.

Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.

There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.

Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.

Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.

Based: Riyadh

Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany

Founded: September, 2020

Number of employees: 70

Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions

Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds  

Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices

Company Fact Box

Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

Stage: early-stage startup 

Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.

Updated: September 19, 2022, 2:49 PM