Saudi Arabia Secures First Vice-Chairmanship of UN Space Governance Body

VIENNA – Saudi Arabia has been elected to serve as the first vice-chair of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). The appointment, announced during the committee’s most recent session in Vienna, marks a significant milestone for the Kingdom’s growing influence in the global space sector and international space governance.

The role will be filled by Muryah Al‑Shahrani, general manager of Space Systems and Infrastructure at the Saudi Space Agency. Al‑Shahrani is one of the kingdom’s leading space experts, having participated in COPUOS initiatives and the global DebriSolver competition, which tackles space‑debris challenges. He has also been instrumental in developing Saudi Arabia’s national capabilities in Space Situational Awareness (SSA), a critical field for monitoring and managing Earth’s increasingly congested orbital environment.

The first vice‑chair is part of the five‑member Bureau that steers COPUOS and its subsidiary bodies. The Bureau oversees committee proceedings, facilitates consensus among member states, and shapes discussions on international policies that govern the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space.

Established by the UN General Assembly in 1959, COPUOS is the principal international forum for collaboration in space affairs. The committee currently has 110 member states and works to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework governing outer space while promoting global cooperation in space science, technology, and exploration.

COPUOS convenes annually in Vienna to address a broad range of topics, from space debris, orbital safety, and space weather to asteroid threats, climate monitoring, satellite navigation systems, and the development of international space law. Its work is supported by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, which oversees the scientific, technical, legal, and policy aspects of international space activities.

Saudi officials say the election reflects international confidence in the kingdom’s contributions to the space sector and its commitment to the United Nations system. The appointment underscores Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen international cooperation and advance sustainable, peaceful uses of outer space.

In recent years, the kingdom has expanded its space ambitions through investments in research, satellite technologies, astronaut programs, and international partnerships, positioning itself as an increasingly active player in the global space economy.

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