Saudi Arabia has been elected first vice-chair of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), a senior leadership position that highlights the Kingdom’s expanding role in global space affairs and international governance.
The appointment was announced during the committee’s latest session in Vienna, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The position will be held by Muryah Al-Shahrani, general manager of Space Systems and Infrastructure at the Saudi Space Agency.
COPUOS
Al-Shahrani is widely recognized as one of Saudi Arabia’s leading space specialists. He has contributed to a range of international governance initiatives, including participation in COPUOS activities and the global DebriSolver competition, which focuses on addressing the growing challenge of space debris.
He has also played a significant role in advancing the Kingdom’s capabilities in Space Situational Awareness, a field dedicated to monitoring and managing activities in Earth’s increasingly crowded orbital environment.
The first vice-chair position is part of the five-member bureau responsible for guiding the work of COPUOS and its subsidiary bodies. Additionally, the bureau oversees committee proceedings, helps build consensus among member states, and contributes to shaping international policies governing the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space.
Established by the UN General Assembly in 1959, COPUOS serves as the principal international forum for cooperation in space-related matters and currently includes 110 member states.
The committee works to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework governing outer space while promoting international collaboration in science, technology, and exploration. It meets annually in Vienna to address issues such as space debris, orbital safety, space weather, asteroid threats, climate monitoring, satellite navigation systems, and the development of international space law.
Outer Space Affairs
Its activities are supported by the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, which oversees the scientific, technical, legal, and policy dimensions of international space activities.
Moreover, Saudi officials said the election reflects growing international confidence in the Kingdom’s contributions to the space sector and its support for the United Nations system.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has expanded its ambitions in the space industry through investments in research, satellite technologies, astronaut programs, and international partnerships, strengthening its position as an increasingly active participant in the global space economy.
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