Third Edition 19–20 January 2027 The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Space Debate

From Orbit to Impact: Powering Economies, Securing Nations, Enabling the Future

A global policy-level platform convening space leaders, policymakers and governments to ensure a sustainable, secure and accessible space for the betterment of humanity.

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About the Debate

Where Space Policy Becomes Action

Space is no longer a frontier — it is critical infrastructure. Economies, defence systems, communications and climate intelligence now depend on an orbital environment that is more congested, more contested and more commercially decisive than at any point in history. Yet the rules governing it were written for a different era. The Abu Dhabi Space Debate exists to close that gap: a policy-level platform where heads of state, ministers, space agency chiefs, defence leaders, investors and industry founders confront the hardest questions in the domain — and leave with answers. Across two editions it has moved the global conversation from problem identification to actionable outcomes, turning debate into concrete diplomatic and technical proposals that reach the institutions where space governance is decided.

Space Sustainability

Debris mitigation, space traffic management and international cooperation to safeguard the orbital environment — driving an international mechanism for global SSA and space traffic coordination.

Space Security

Bridging the trust gap between the national security community and the commercial space sector through standardized frameworks for public-private trust and data sharing on dual-use assets.

Access to Space

Fostering global talent, space education and talent pipelines in emerging space nations — ensuring space remains accessible and beneficial for all.

The Journey

From Debate to Think Tank

2022
First Edition — establishing the global platform
2024
From Earth to Orbit: A Space for Action and Accountability
2027
From Orbit to Impact: Powering Economies, Securing Nations, Enabling the Future
Future
Abu Dhabi Space Debate Think Tank
ADSD 2027 — Preliminary Program

Three Days Shaping the Future of Space

Two days of high-level debate — culminating in workshops, a gala dinner and a full-day site and cultural programme.

From Orbit to Control

Understanding the Domain: Risk, Awareness, and Governance — Main Hall

10Debate sessions
4Parallel workshops
1Gala dinner

The Next 10 Years of Space: What Must Change Now?

Governance

Collision Course: Are We One Incident Away from Crisis?

Security

Resilience as a Strategic Imperative

Security

Are We Using Data Where It Matters?

Technology

Diplomacy in an Age of Disruption

Governance

Is Global SSA Coordination Possible?

Technology

Dual-Use Dilemma: Where Civil Ends and Defense Begins

Security

From Ambition to Execution: Why Strategies Fail

Governance

The New Space Economy: Who Wins, Who Funds, Who Regulates?

Economy

A Conversation With a High-Level Speaker

Keynote
16:00 — Four parallel workshops Sustainability Security Accessibility Next Gen
  • 10:30Opening Ceremony + Keynote
  • 11:45Morning Debates — Risk, Awareness & Resilience
  • 14:00Afternoon Debates — Governance & the Space Economy
  • 16:00Four Parallel Workshops
  • 19:00Gala Dinner — Zayed National Museum

From Orbit to Impact

Turning Space Capabilities into Economic and Societal Value — Main Hall

10Debate sessions
4Thematic tracks
1Networking lunch

From Orbit to Impact: Turning Space Capabilities into Real-World Value

Economy

Investing in Space Infrastructure: Risks, Returns, and Realities

Economy

From Investment to Impact: Where is the Space Economy Heading?

Economy

The New Drivers of Growth

Economy

Building Resilient and Globally Competitive Supply Chains

Governance

Securing the Future: How Space is Redefining Defense Innovation

Security

Data, Intelligence, and Strategic Advantage

Technology

Transformative Technologies and Global Impact

Technology

Sustainable by Design: Rethinking Space Missions

Sustainability

A Conversation With a High-Level Speaker

Keynote
  • 09:00Morning Sessions — Impact, Investment & Growth
  • 13:00Networking Lunch
  • 14:00Afternoon Sessions — Technology & Sustainability
  • 16:00Closing Sessions

Site & Cultural Visit

Full-Day Programme — UAE space infrastructure and heritage

1Full day
2Site visits
UAECultural programme

Delegates conclude the week with a full-day site and cultural visit programme, experiencing the UAE's space infrastructure and cultural landmarks.

ADSD 2027

Previous Speakers

Legacy

Past Editions

Two editions that transitioned the global dialogue from problem identification to actionable policy outcomes.

Abu Dhabi Space Debate 2022
FIRST EDITION — 5–6 DECEMBER 2022

Establishing the Platform

Held at the ADNOC Business Centre, the inaugural edition convened ministers, heads of space agencies and industry executives around 13 high-level panels and a Ministerial Dialogue.

  • The New Geopolitics of Space
  • Managing the Mega Challenges of Mega Constellations
  • Space Sustainability versus Sustainability of Space
  • Shared Global Infrastructure rather than Individual Sovereignties
  • Speakers from ESA, NASA, KARI, UNIDIR, Airbus, Northrop Grumman, AWS & more
Abu Dhabi Space Debate 2024
SECOND EDITION — 10–11 DECEMBER 2024

From Earth to Orbit: A Space for Action and Accountability

The second edition moved from dialogue to accountability — debate-format sessions and closed-door discussions producing concrete policy recommendations.

  • The Weaponization of Space: Necessary Defense or Threat to Global Security?
  • Navigating Space Debris: Market-Based Solution or Government Regulation?
  • Old Rules, New Frontiers: Are the UN Space Treaties Sufficient?
  • Sovereignty vs. Solidarity in Collaborative Space Exploration
  • Beyond Dominant Players: Emerging Space Programs

Real Policy Impact

Discussions from the 2024 Sustainability Workshop led directly to the Proposal for the Establishment of an Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness (SSA), submitted by the UAE to the COPUOS Scientific and Technical Subcommittee in February 2025 — a step toward an international mechanism for global SSA and Space Traffic Coordination.

The Venue

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates — a private beachfront resort on Saadiyat Island, minutes from the cultural district and Zayed International Airport.

Saadiyat Island

Abu Dhabi's cultural district — home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum.

Main Hall & Workshops

All debate sessions and the four parallel workshops are hosted on site at the resort.

Gala Dinner

The Day 1 gala dinner is hosted at the Zayed National Museum, followed by the delegate networking programme.

Getting There

Roughly 20 minutes from Zayed International Airport. Delegate transfers are arranged on request.

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Register your interest for ADSD 2027. Our team will get back to you with the latest programme and delegate information.

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