Artemis Accords signatories meet for the first time

The US-led agreement outlines responsible space exploration

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.

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 speaks at IAC 2022 in Paris.

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.

The Lockheed Martin stand at IAC 2022 in Paris displays satellites.

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.

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.

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.

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.

An astronaut suit by the Indian space agency ISRO.

Rocket models at the IAC 2022 in Paris.

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.

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.