Saudi Arabia Secures Key UN Space Leadership Role, Strengthening Global Influence in Space Governance
VIENNA: Saudi Arabia has been elected to a senior leadership position within the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), marking a significant milestone in the kingdom’s growing role in international space affairs and global governance.
The appointment was announced during the latest COPUOS session in Vienna, with Muryah Al-Shahrani, general manager of space systems and infrastructure at the Saudi Space Agency, elected as the committee’s first vice-chair.
The prestigious position places Saudi Arabia at the centre of international discussions on the future of space exploration, sustainability, and governance, reflecting the Kingdom’s increasing influence in one of the world’s fastest-growing strategic sectors.
Al-Shahrani is widely recognised for his expertise in space systems and policy development. He has actively contributed to international efforts aimed at improving space governance and has participated in COPUOS initiatives, including the global DebriSolver competition, which focuses on innovative solutions to the growing challenge of space debris.
He has also played a leading role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s capabilities in Space Situational Awareness (SSA), a critical field that monitors objects and activities in Earth’s orbit to enhance safety and sustainability in space operations.
As first vice-chair, Al-Shahrani will serve as a member of COPUOS’ five-member bureau, which is responsible for guiding the committee’s work, facilitating cooperation among member states, and helping shape international policies governing the peaceful use of outer space.
Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959, COPUOS serves as the world’s principal platform for international cooperation on space-related matters and currently includes 110 member states.
The committee addresses a broad range of issues affecting the future of space activities, including orbital safety, space debris management, satellite navigation, climate monitoring, space weather, asteroid threats, and the development of international space law.
Its work is supported by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), which oversees legal, scientific, technical, and policy aspects of international space cooperation.
Saudi officials described the election as a reflection of the international community’s confidence in the Kingdom’s contributions to the space sector and its commitment to supporting multilateral cooperation through the United Nations framework.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has accelerated its space development agenda through investments in advanced research, satellite technologies, astronaut programmes, and strategic international partnerships. These efforts are helping position the Kingdom as an emerging leader in the global space economy and a growing contributor to the future of peaceful and sustainable space exploration.