Dr. Al Ahbabi is a Senior Advisor at EDGE, one of the world’s leading defence and advanced technology Groups. He currently leads all EDGE Space Activities. Prior to joining EDGE, Dr. Al Ahbabi was the visionary founder of the UAE Space Agency and served as its Director General from 2014 to 2021. Under his leadership, he directed the UAE’s first venture into space, including the UAE Mars Mission. Dr. Al Ahbabi also helped to establish and lead the Al Yah MilSatCom, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in the Defence sector and the National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) at the UAE University (UAEU). He also shaped the direction of the Space Technology & Innovation Center at Khalifa University, and the Space Science Center at NYU Abu Dhabi. Nationaly, he serves on different boards and strategic committes. On a regional and international level, Dr. Al Ahbabi was influential in establishing the Arab Space Cooperation Group, advising the International Space University and sitting as a member to space organisations affiliated to the United Nations. He also served as the Vice President in the International Astronautical Federation (“IAF”) in 2018, Ambassador to the IAF in 2021 and now as a senior strategic advisor, contributing to various boards in the government and the private sector. Dr. Al Ahbabi’s academic background includes a PhD in Communications and a Master’s degree in Optical Communications Engineering from Southampton, UK. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering from University of California, USA.