Oman to Host 2nd Middle East Space Conference: What It Means for Investors and Entrepreneurs in the Region
MUSCAT — The second Middle East Space Conference, organised by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in collaboration with Novaspace, will commence this Monday at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre and run for three days.
The event will be officially inaugurated by HH Sayyid Dr Kamil bin Fahd bin Mahmood al Said, Secretary-General of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.
Dr Ali bin Amer al Shaithani, Under-Secretary for Communications and Information Technology at the Ministry, stated that this second edition builds on the success of the inaugural conference. It is expected to draw over 450 senior decision-makers from more than 190 organisations across 20 countries.
The conference aims to unite government officials, space agencies, industry leaders, investors, innovators, and academic institutions to shape the next growth phase of the Middle East’s space sector. According to Al Shaithani, the event provides a strategic platform for dialogue and partnership development, strengthening Oman’s role as a vital gateway for space applications, infrastructure development, and regional investment.
The programme addresses strategic, operational, and enabling dimensions of space development, covering national space policies, agency strategies, satellite programmes, ground systems, financing mechanisms, and international cooperative frameworks, with a particular focus on Oman’s evolving space sector.
Sessions will emphasise practical space technology applications, notably satellite communications and Earth observation, highlighting their impact on connectivity, urban planning, energy management, climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and critical infrastructure protection.
By bringing together public and private sector stakeholders, the conference seeks to accelerate cooperation, boost investment, and foster sustainable space capabilities aligned with regional priorities and global trends. It also underscores Oman’s ambition to become an active participant in the regional space economy and a neutral platform for international collaboration.
An accompanying exhibition will run concurrently, showcasing government entities and local and international private companies engaged in the space industry. The exhibition is designed to facilitate knowledge exchange, partnership building, technology showcasing, investment attraction, and increased awareness of advances in the space sector.
Additionally, the conference will host a meeting of the Arab Space Cooperation Group to enhance Arab coordination and integration in space-related fields through shared expertise.
Further activities include familiarisation tours for international delegates to highlight Oman’s key tourist attractions, raising the country’s global profile. Scientific and recreational astronomy and space science events will also be held to promote scientific literacy and stimulate public interest in space technologies.
Several memoranda of understanding and partnership agreements between local and international government and private entities will be signed during the conference, reinforcing its importance as a regional platform for strategic cooperation in the space sector. — ONA
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The second Middle East Space Conference solidifies Oman’s strategic position as a regional hub for space technology and investment, creating significant opportunities for businesses to engage in satellite communications, Earth observation, and related industries. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should capitalize on the government’s collaborative approach and emerging partnerships to tap into regional and international markets, while monitoring developments in space infrastructure and applications that support critical sectors such as energy, urban development, and climate resilience.
