Memorandum of Understanding between the Australian Space Agency and United Arab Emirates Space Agency

The Australian Space Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Arab Emirates Space Agency which facilitates closer international partnerships in the space industry sectors.

Executive from the Australian Space Agency and UAE Space Agency 

Read the full statement 

The Australian Space Agency, an Agency of the Government of Australia within the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science of Industry House, Binara St., Canberra City, Canberra created in July 2018; and the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (hereinafter referred to as “UAE Space Agency”), a governmental agency established under the provisions of the Federal Decree Law No. (1) Dated 6th of August 2014, with its headquarters located in Abu Dhabi, whose address is P.O. Box 7133, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, represented by its Chairman of the Board of Directors; hereinafter referred to individually as “Participant” or collectively as “Participants”,

HAVING regard to the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and other Celestial Bodies, signed on 27 January 1967, and other multilateral space agreements to which both United Arab Emirates and Australia are Parties to;

RECOGNISING the positive contribution that cooperation in space science, research, technology, services, applications and international governance will bring to promoting relationships and partnerships between the Participants, their respective industry organizations, as well as academic and research institutions;

CONSIDERING in particular, the friendly relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Australia;

CONSIDERING that the global space sector has undergone significant evolution in technological development, knowledge dissemination and size in recent years;

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT their mutual interest to start bilateral cooperation in the areas of mutual interest set out in Section 2 below;

HAVE REACHED THE FOLLOWING UNDERSTANDINGS:

1. Purpose

1.1 The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (‘MOU’) is to:

1. provide a framework for collaborative activities and for reviewing areas of common interest in the civil aspects of space;
2. facilitate the interchange of information, technology and personnel in areas of mutual interest; and
3. nominate relevant points of contact for both Participants.

2. Areas of Cooperation

2.1 Subject to the laws and regulations applicable to them, the Participants, through consultation, will decide upon the specific items and scope of cooperation within the framework of this MOU. The proposed collaborative activities are as follows:

1. participants will facilitate collaboration as appropriate, including the exchange of information and expertise, in the United Arab Emirates and Australian space sectors, including:

• Space science, technology and applications highlighting;
  • Communications technologies and services
  • Position, Navigation and Timing
  • Earth Observation
  • Space Situational Awareness
  • Remote Asset Management
  • Advanced emerging research and development
  • Space Physiology and Medicine
• Exchange of views on space policy, law and regulation;
• Human capital development in the space field and related areas; and
• Other emerging areas as mutually agreed.

1. participants will promote cooperative relationships between academic and research organisations in the United Arab Emirates and Australia, including encouraging exchanges between universities to expand professional competencies of early career graduates and researchers.
2. participants will promote collaboration between small and medium business enterprises in the space sectors of the United Arab Emirates and Australia through the exchange of best practices, technology development, technology transfer and oriented mission with the goal of sustaining the volume of business and the quality of research.
3. participants will jointly identify suitable projects of common interest that can be supported and developed in both countries. Other areas of cooperation may be identified by mutual consent of the Participants.

3. Financial and legal provisions

3.1 Both Participants acknowledge that any activities undertaken through the MOU will:

1. comply with all relevant export controls on a case-by-case basis; and
2. respect intellectual property rights in accordance with all applicable laws.

3.2 The Participants also acknowledge that this MOU will place no financial, legal or other type of commitment on either Participant or their Governments.

4. Implementation

4.1 The Participants will establish a Joint Steering Committee under the framework of this MOU to monitor the effectiveness and applicability of the present MOU and examine proposals relating to plans for cooperation. This will be co-chaired by the Participants at a senior management level or their representatives. 

4.2 The Participants will arrange meetings by mutual consent to review progress on the implementation of this MOU.

4.3 In order to pursue activities in the Areas of Cooperation, the Participants will conclude specific Implementation Arrangements for each separate cooperative activity. Each Implementation Arrangement will set out details of the cooperation, including:

1. the nature and scope of that specific cooperative activity;
2. the entry into effect and duration of the arrangement;
3. the points of contact, the roles and responsibilities of the Participants;
4. the financial arrangements;
5. the rules governing intellectual property;
6. the detailed provisions for the exchange of data and goods;
7. confidentiality provisions;
8. waivers of liability as applicable; and
9. any other provision that the Participants may deem necessary to carry out the cooperative activities.

4.4 The Joint Steering Committee referred to in 4.1 will also monitor the progress of activities being undertaken through Implementation Arrangements established under this MOU.

5. Amendment

5.1 This MOU may be amended by mutual consent of the Participants. The Participant wishing to make an amendment will notify the other in writing. Any amendment will take effect when each Participant has notified the other in writing of its consent to the amendment.

6. Status

6.1 Nothing in this MOU is intended to create any legally binding relationship between the Participants, nor is it intended to have any legal or binding effect on either Participant.

6.2 This MOU will be without prejudice to the cooperation of either Participant with other States, Space Agencies or any other entity.

7. Duration and termination

7.1 This MOU will come into effect on the date of signature by both Participants and will continue in operation until terminated by either Participant giving six months’ written notice to the other.