Registration for this unique industry event - held under the banner of the World Space Risk Forum (WSRF), now into its fourth session - is open, and the theme for the conference is “Unlocking Business in Space."
Over 400 leaders from different fields of the Global Space Industry are meeting to discuss risk management from Nov 2 to Nov 4, 2016, at the Fairmont Palm hotel in Dubai.
Registration for this unique industry event – held under the banner of the World Space Risk Forum (WSRF), now into its fourth session – is open, and the theme for the conference is Unlocking Business in Space. The main goal of the three-day conference is to understand and mitigate risks, and share thoughts on promoting business development and exploration in Space.
The leading global forum for space development brings together satellite operators, manufacturers, launch providers, space agencies, risk managers, insurance brokers, underwriters, lawyers, and capital providers in an atmosphere that is creative and cordial, lending itself to in-depth networking.
This year the WSRF has been further strengthened by strategic partnerships with Euroconsult, the leading global consulting firm specialising in space markets, and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC).
Laurent Lemaire, organising host of the WSRF and Chairman and CEO of DIFC-based elseco, the worlds largest space underwriting entity, said:
Space is our tomorrow and holds the key to the continued evolution of mankind. Its not surprising that the UAE as a forward thinking and pioneering nation has made a strategic bet to invest and grow the space sector. This is the fourth time that we will be holding the WSRF in Dubai and the conference has grown in significance and continued to innovate.
The agenda is comprehensive and encompasses topics including manufacturing and design innovations, regulatory and legal trends and implications, cyber and space debris risks, access to capital, and the impact of technology and new applications.
Salem Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs at MBRSC, commented upon the partnership with WSRF 2016, saying: We are honoured as Emiratis to be hosting the World Space Risk Forum of 2016 here in Dubai, and also on behalf of the Mohamed bin Rashid Space Centre, I would like to express my pleasure to be a partner of the forum, which we have offered our continued support to, since 2010.
He added: What we continue to strive for, with forums such as the World Space Risk Forum here in Dubai, is to continue working on creating a sustainable framework for space activity that matches the requirements of the rapid growth of the sector.
It is true that there are risks in the space sector, as with any other, but with a responsible approach, the rewards are there for all to see – in galvanizing the next generations to think about science and maths, and in making breakthrough discoveries that could help us to sustain life here on Earth for future generations. Al Marri concluded.
Selected keynote speakers include John Celli, President of SSL, who will discuss the forces that drive todays commercial satellite market, Dr Michael Menhart, Chief Economist of Munich Re, who will shed light on the global economic outlook impacting the industry, and Dr. Hans Koenigsmann, Vice President of Flight Reliability at SpaceX, who will bring us a view on the future, innovation and exploration. A further headline keynote will be given by Stéphane Israël, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace.
WSRF 2016 Chairman, Chris Kunstadter summed up: The format of the Forum lends itself to intense and focused discussions on the threats and opportunities that the Space industry faces from new technology and innovations. The WSRF provides a platform where the best minds in the industry can frame these risks and their implications, and develop ways to mitigate them.
In keeping with its innovative approach, the WSRF will be launching a new dynamic short talk lecture series called Space Powwows!. These talks will be hosted by Swiss Re Corporate Solutions and will focus on illuminating and inspiring tales of innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition, given recent significant investments in start-ups in the space sector, the WSRF will be hosting a panel that will includes CEOs of global space start-ups who will discuss major trends, what is hot, the risks involved, and how they see the future. WSRF is also encouraging start-ups to showcase their companies during the conference.
