The UAE has been chosen to head the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
Omran Sharaf, the Emirati engineer who led the UAE's Mars Mission project, will chair the committee.
It's one of the largest UN groups with 100 member states, and plays a crucial role in the peaceful use of space.
The UAE's leaders lauded the latest achievement and congratulated Sharaf.
"The UAE continues to make notable contributions to the space sector & we wish Omran every success in his new role," said President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Congratulations to Omran Sharaf, Project Director of the Emirates Mars Mission, on his election as Director of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The UAE continues to make notable contributions to the space sector & we wish Omran every success in his new role.
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) June 1, 2022
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said it's a great honour for the UAE to lead the UN committee. He also hailed Sharaf's appointment.
فخور بفوز الإمارات برئاسة لجنة الأمم المتحدة للاستخدام السلمي للفضاء الخارجي والتي تضم ١٠٠ دولة وتضمن الوصول العادل والسلمي للفضاء لهذه الدول. فخور بابن الإمارات عمران شرف تقلده هذا المنصب الدولي الرفيع.. شباب الإمارات أوصلونا للفضاء ويقودون ملفات عالمية ويديرون مؤسسات دولية..
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) June 1, 2022