Saudi Arabia to Launch a Centre for Space Futures in the Forum’s Fourth Industrial Revolution Network

World Economic Forum, [email protected]

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 29 April - The World Economic Forum has signed an agreement with the Saudi Space Agency to establish a Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) focused on space.

The Centre for Space Futures, set to open in autumn 2024, will be hosted by the Saudi Space Agency. It aims to facilitate public-private discussions on space collaboration, incorporating best practices from the Forum and its communities into the global space sector and generating contributions to accelerate space technologies.

"From monitoring the effects of climate change to increasing human connectivity via satellites, the impact of the global space sector on Earth cannot be overstated," said Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director, World Economic Forum. "The addition of the Centre for Space Futures into the C4IR network recognizes the importance of addressing various topics such as space technological innovation, policies and regulatory, as well as sustainability."

The Centre for Space Futures is the first centre in the C4IR network to focus exclusively on space. It will work alongside the existing national centre, C4IR Saudi Arabia, to advance Saudi Vision 2030, the country's roadmap for economic diversification, global engagement and enhanced quality of life.

"The centre is committed to fostering a vibrant, prosperous and sustainable space economy globally. By developing principles, expanding knowledge, refining models and cultivating partnerships, we aim to responsibly harness the vast opportunities of space," said Mohammed Al Tamimi, CEO of the Saudi Space Agency.

About the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution is a platform for multistakeholder collaboration, bringing together public and private sectors to maximize technological benefits to society while minimizing the risks. The World Economic Forum launched the first C4IR in San Francisco in 2017, shortly followed by centres in Japan and India. The network now includes centres in: Austin (Centre for Trustworthy Technology), Azerbaijan, Brazil, Colombia, Detroit (US Centre for Advanced Manufacturing), Germany (Global Government Technology Centre), Israel, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Norway (HUB Ocean), Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, Telangana (India), Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates.

About the Saudi Space Agency
The Saudi Space Agency is dedicated to advancing the Kingdom's space sector, aiming to establish Saudi Arabia as a leader in space through economic growth, innovation and scientific research. It supports these goals with initiatives such as specialized astronaut training, building international partnerships, and developing a local space industry to enhance economic diversification and sustainability.

About the World Economic Forum Special Meeting 2024
The Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development 2024 convenes over 700 leaders from all sectors and industries, enabling a comprehensive dialogue on leveraging global cooperation for economic development, promoting a more sustainable energy transition and furthering technological advancement. For further information, click here.

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