Antalya:The Bahrain Space Agency (BSA) delegation, led by CEO Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Asiri, participated in the third Global Space Leaders' Summit held in Antalya, Turkey, alongside the International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026).
According to Bahrain News Agency, the summit's discussions centered on the lunar economy, orbital resilience, and the use of space-based solutions to tackle Earthly challenges and disasters. Dr. Al Asiri emphasized the Moon's transformation from a research target into a new realm for exploration, innovation, and sustainable economic growth, highlighting the potential resources like water ice and helium-3.
Dr. Al Asiri noted the shift from questioning the emergence of a lunar economy to focusing on its development and beneficiaries, asserting Bahrain's commitment to being an active participant in this sector. He showcased Bahrain's ongoing lunar mission collaborations, such as the navigation camera payload for the UAE Lunar Mission with the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and a joint mission with Egypt to study the Moon's south pole's soil composition, including frozen water deposits.
The CEO underscored the significance of responsible governance, international partnerships, and investing in human capital, with Bahraini engineers gaining expertise through international collaborations to bolster the Kingdom's space sector.
Dr. Al Asiri stated that the summit was a critical platform for coordinating responsible lunar exploration and resource utilization strategies, fostering technical and scientific cooperation, and enhancing Bahrain's involvement in significant lunar projects. He reiterated Bahrain's preparedness to contribute to the lunar economy's development through its technical expertise, scientific cooperation, and dedication to international partnerships.