World Economic Forum and Saudi Space Agency to Establish Center for Space Futures
In an exciting development, the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Saudi Space Agency (SSA) have signed an agreement to establish the Center for Space Futures, a Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Opening Later This Year
The center, hosted by the SSA, is set to open later this year and will be the first in the C4IR network to focus exclusively on space. It will work alongside the existing national center, C4IR Saudi Arabia, to further the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Space for All Humanity
Jeremy Jurgens, the WEF managing director, emphasized the importance of making space accessible to all, stating, “Historically, many people assume that space is the exclusive domain of a few countries that have a fully integrated space technology stack. What we’ve seen over the last few years is that space is something that should be available to the whole globe.”
Collaboration and Innovation
The center aims to facilitate public-private discussions on space collaboration, incorporating best practices from the WEF and its communities into the global space sector. Dr. Mohammed Al-Tamimi, CEO of the SSA, highlighted the center’s role in engaging with the private sector and government initiatives to drive innovation and collaboration in the space industry.
International Collaboration
Mishaal Ashemimry, managing director of the Center for Space Futures, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in advancing space technologies. She stated, “Space generally has seen no boundaries when it comes to development, and you need the input of international countries with their expertise, their backgrounds, their achievements in space, to work together.”
C4IR Network
The Center for Space Futures will be part of the C4IR network, joining 19 other centers focused on advancing technology for societal benefit while minimizing risks. The WEF launched the first C4IR in San Francisco in 2017, with centers now established in various countries including India, Germany, and the UAE.