The UAE Space Agency has launched a youth council to inspire, support, and empower talented young Emiratis with an interest in space. Formed as a result of the agency’s efforts to foster a generation of young Emirati space leaders, the council was launched during an official ceremony at the UAE Space Agency headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
The ceremony was held in the presence of Minister of State for Higher Education and Advanced Skills and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al-Falasi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Chairperson of the Emirates Youth Council Shamma Al-Mazrui, Director General of the UAE Space Agency Dr. Eng. Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, and other senior officials and representatives.
“The launch of the UAE Space Agency Youth Council comes in line with the agency’s efforts. The council aims to empower ambitious, Emirati youth, to lead the national space sector and contribute to the UAE’s vision,” stated Al-Falasi. “The council operates in the framework of the ‘UAE’ Centennial 2071’ vision, which aims to empower the people of the UAE to realize their talents and capabilities to serve the nation’s economic, social and technological objectives — and ultimately be the best nation by 2071.”
Dr. Eng. Mohammed Nasser Al-Ahbabi said: “This initiative comes as part of our commitment to inspiring youth and supporting them in learning and developing. Encouraging youth to enter the space sector is a key goal of the UAE Space Agency and a part of UAE Vision 2021 to ensure that the UAE develops the human capital necessary to create a world-leading knowledge economy. We seek to prepare and nurture generations of talented UAE nationals to become leaders in the space industry and related technological fields.”
Hamed Abdullah Fadqaa, Emirates Youth Council coordinator, said: “Young people around the world have the potential to contribute directly to elevating any nation thanks to their ambition, perseverance, and determination. The establishment of this council aims to provide a platform for Emirati youth to share their innovative ideas and locate the resources they need to implement them, in collaboration with various government, scientific, and research entities within the UAE.”
Several events were organized on the sidelines of the launch ceremony, such as a display of a Tesla electric car, which will be sent to Mars, a detailed explanation of the Space Settlements initiative being launched by the newly formed council, and a painting that sought to encapsulate the motivations the Emirati youth, signed by Dr. Ahmad Abdullah Belhoul Al-Falasi and a number of young UAE Space Agency employees.
The ceremony also featured the appearance of the young inventor Fatema Al-Kaabi who showcased some of her inventions. Students from the Masdar Institute also presented their model of a satellite. Finally, toward the end of the ceremony, a group photo was later taken using a drone.
UAE space agency launches youth council to empower the next generation of Emirati space leaders
UAE space agency launches youth council to empower the next generation of Emirati space leaders
Al-Saedan launches $400m investment platform for real estate, digital infrastructure
Al-Saedan Real Estate Company of Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Serpentine Lake Capital of the UK and SGI Real Estate of Canada, have announced the establishment of a joint development and investment platform under the name SL Property. The platform will develop commercial, residential, and hospitality projects, alongside infrastructure and data center projects, across the Kingdom. It reflects the growing international interest in Saudi Arabia’s real estate and digital infrastructure markets and supports the development of high-quality, long-term assets within the Kingdom.
The agreement signing ceremony was held under the patronage of Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing and Chairman of the Real Estate General Authority Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, as part of the Future of Real Estate Forum, in which Al-Saedan Real Estate participated as a strategic sponsor. The ceremony was attended by Dr. Badr bin Ibrahim bin Saedan, chairman of the board of Al-Saedan Real Estate; Ahmed bin Ibrahim bin Saedan, vice chairman of the board of Al-Saedan Real Estate; Ben Mikola, representative of Serpentine Lake Capital and SL Property; and Hassan Al-Shawwa, representative of SGI Canada.
The attendance reflects the strategic importance of the initiative and the continued support of the authority in facilitating the attraction of high-quality international investments into the Kingdom’s real estate and digital infrastructure sectors.
This development follows the issuance of the Regulation on Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis in Saudi Arabia, which came into effect in January. The updated regulatory framework is expected to expand access to international investment, facilitate foreign investor participation in strategic sectors, and increase the depth of institutional capital flowing into the real estate, infrastructure, and data center sectors in the Kingdom.
The platform is targeting initial joint investments of SR1.5 billion ($400 million) in partnership with Al-SaedanReal Estate, representing the first phase of a broader, multi-stage investment program. In its initial phase, SL Property — Al-Saedan intends to invest in six to eight projects across real estate, infrastructure, and data centers, with additional opportunities anticipated as the platform’s activities expand in the future.
The initial projects will be concentrated in Riyadh and Jeddah, and will include mixed-use developments, commercial assets, residential projects, and infrastructure related to data centers. These projects are designed to be scalable, sustainable, and aligned with national development priorities, including housing expansion, enhancement of urban quality of life, hospitality sector growth, and strengthening the Kingdom’s digital services capabilities.
Al-Saedan Real Estate is one of the oldest private real estate development companies in Saudi Arabia, with more than 80 years of operational experience and a strong track record that includes the development of seven major integrated urban communities, in addition to numerous commercial, hospitality, and associated infrastructure projects.
The SL Property platform will serve as a dedicated investment vehicle for this initiative, with Serpentine Lake Capital contributing its asset management expertise, and SGI Real Estate providing its specialized real estate sector experience. The platform’s structure is intended to combine local development capabilities with disciplined international investment practices and robust governance standards.
This initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s economic diversification objectives and reflects growing confidence in the updated regulatory framework governing the real estate and digital infrastructure sectors. As the platform evolves, it is expected to provide both local and international investors with access to high-quality investment opportunities across the real estate and data center sectors throughout the Kingdom.
Dr. Badr bin Ibrahim said: “At Al-Saedan, we are pleased to be among the first beneficiaries of the promising new foreign investment system. Following our success in raising several local investment funds, we look forward to expanding our expertise and partnerships at a global level.”
Mikola added: “We are pleased to partner with Al-Saedan, whose strong track record provides a solid foundation for this collaboration. As the platform develops, we expect to explore opportunities to expand into real estate and infrastructure projects within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond. The Kingdom represents a fast-growing market driven by clear structural factors, and we look forward to developing high-potential opportunities through a disciplined and focused approach.”
