The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has obtained membership within the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences, which is part of the Council of Arab Economic Unity of the Arab League, after a unanimous vote of its members.

The selection of Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency comes in light of the growing status of the UAE national space sector at the regional and international levels, as a result of the launch of several projects and programmes within the framework of the National Space Programme and other specialised programmes on the exploration of outer space, UAE News Agency (WAM) reported.

Al Ahbabi's selection reflects the UAE's leading role in Arab space endeavours and has become a role model for many Arab countries seeking to establish an integrated space sector that supports their ambitions and national goals.

He lauded the Union's efforts to promote Arab and regional development by stimulating the education and advancement of space and astronomy sciences in the Arab world.