Nations must strengthen sovereign space capabilities while accelerating private-sector participation if they hope to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving global space economy, according to Dr Ahmad Al Falasi, chairman of the UAE Space Agency and UAE Minister of Sports.
Speaking at an international space summit in Paris, Dr Al Falasi warned that geopolitics is increasingly shaping the future of space exploration, satellite infrastructure and commercial space investment.
“We’re all busy delivering space missions and projects, but it takes one summit to take us back and start thinking: how does geopolitics affect our projects?” he said.
The UAE has built its space programme on a model that balances sovereign capability with international collaboration. Over the past two decades, the Emirates has partnered with global space powers including Europe, China and the United States while developing critical domestic expertise and infrastructure.
Dr Al Falasi said sovereignty remains at the heart of the UAE’s long-term strategy, particularly as space becomes increasingly important for communications, navigation, intelligence, climate monitoring and national security.
$1bn AI satellite investment
The summit also underscored the growing role of private capital in the space sector.
UAE-based Marlan Space announced a $1 billion investment alongside US-based Loft Orbital to develop what the companies described as the world’s largest artificial intelligence-powered satellite infrastructure project.
According to Dr Al Falasi, the UAE aims not only to strengthen its sovereign space capabilities but also to triple commercial space sector revenues within the next five years, while deploying agile and interoperable space infrastructure.
Space now central to global security
World leaders attending the Paris summit agreed that space has become a critical pillar of modern security policy.
Stubb, President of Finland, said today’s competition extends far beyond exploration and scientific achievement.
“There is obviously a race to space. The key here is how do we contain this competition and make sure it becomes co-operation.”
The war in Ukraine was repeatedly cited as evidence of space’s growing strategic importance, highlighting the role of satellite communications, Earth observation and missile-tracking systems in modern conflict.
Meanwhile, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced plans for €131 billion in defence, security and space investment, signalling Europe’s determination to reduce reliance on external technologies and strengthen strategic autonomy.
Collaboration still critical
Despite growing calls for sovereignty, leaders stressed that international partnerships remain essential to advancing the global space economy.
From the UAE’s perspective, the future lies in balancing national capability, commercial innovation and global co-operation.
As governments and private companies pour billions into next-generation satellite networks, AI-powered infrastructure and deep-space missions, sovereignty is becoming one of the defining themes of the new space race.
For the UAE, the message from Paris was clear: nations that combine strategic independence with strong international partnerships will be best positioned to lead the next era of space exploration and innovation.
