International treaty

Saudi Arabia (Saudi Space Commission): Memorandum of Understanding

Updated 1 April 2022

Memorandum of understanding between the UK Space Agency in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Saudi Space Commission in Saudi Arabia on peaceful uses of outer space.

Preamble:

The United Kingdom Space Agency (hereinafter referred to as “UKSA”) and The Saudi Space Commission (hereinafter referred to as “SSC”), (hereinafter individually referred to as “Participant” and collectively as “Participants”).

Both Participants acknowledge the necessity of developing effective cooperation in accordance with their available resources and to serve their common interests in the field of the peaceful uses of outer space.

Purpose

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to:

1. provide a framework for collaborative activities and exploring areas of common interest in the field of the peaceful uses of outer space.
2. facilitate the exchange of information, technology, and personnel in areas of mutual interest.

Areas of Cooperation

The Participants will focus their efforts on developing cooperation in the following areas:

1. Capacity building in the field of space science and engineering (education, training, technology transfer, research & development, applications, innovation)
2. Deep space technologies and communications
3. Scientific missions and human space programs
4. Satellite launches, launch vehicle & services and satellite payloads
5. Satellite manufacturing and services
6. Earth observation and space data applications/services
7. And other form of cooperation agreed upon by the parties.

Implementation Bodies

1. For the purpose of implementation of the present MOU, each Participant hereby establishes a “Technical Committee”, with each Participant aiming to designate an equal number of representatives to attend. The Technical Committee will elaborate its own rules of procedure.
2. The Technical Committee will convene upon the request of either Participant, alternating between United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia in terms of meeting location.
3. Either Participant may invite experts from their national entities, (hereinafter referred to as “Related Entities”), to participate in the joint discussions and activities of the Technical Committee implemented under this MOU, subject to the consent of the other Participant.
4. The Participants will ensure the commitment of their Related Entity to the provisions of this MOU.
5. The Participants may conclude dedicated arrangements based on the areas and forms of cooperation decided upon under this MOU for matters involving financing commitments or other resources. These dedicated arrangements between the Participants may determine the activities to be decided upon, the manner and extent of each Participant’s participation, the financial aspects, including in-kind contributions, and any other arrangements that may be necessary.
6. The persons nominated by the Participants as responsible for overseeing the implementation of this MoU are as follows:

• For UK Space Agency: Senior representative for International Space policy in the UK Government.
• For Saudi Space Commission: Manager International Agreements Department in the Saudi Space Commission.

Financial Arrangement

This MOU will not create any financial commitments for the Participants and implementation of this MOU will be subject to each Participant’s budget priorities and the availability of funds and resources; and each Participant will incur the expenses arising from the implementation of its part of the matters of commitments contracted under this MOU.

Arising Obligations

The present MOU will not affect or prejudice the validity of any obligations arising from other international treaties or agreements concluded by each Participant.

Intellectual Property & Confidentiality

1. Each Participant acknowledges that any information and data exchanged between each other will be used solely for the purposes assigned thereto in accordance with this MOU, and in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Neither Participant will transmit, pass or disclose any of the information they receive from each other to a third party without the written consent of the Participant that provided such information. The recipient Participant will treat all information marked “Confidential Information” as confidential using the same degree of care that it would normally use in protecting its own confidential information.
2. Both Participants will not use, copy, or distribute any of the other Participant’s material without prior written permission.
3. Nothing in this MOU will be construed as granting, either expressly or by implication, to the other Participant any benefits to, or interest in, any inventions or works of a Participant or its Related Entities made prior to coming into operation. If both Participants decide or find that a particular activity may lead to intellectual property, they must consult together before starting the implementation of this activity and take such necessary measures in accordance with the relevant legislation and laws that would protect and allocate such intellectual property.
4. The non-disclosure paragraphs of this MOU will survive the discontinuance of this MOU.

Settlement of Disputes

Any dispute arising from interpretation or implementation of this MOU will be settled amicably through consultation and/or negotiation between the Participants.

General Provisions

1. The present MOU will come into operation on the date of last notification - through diplomatic channels - following receipt by the United Kingdom of confirmation from the Government of Saudi Arabia of completion of its internal legal procedures.
2. This MOU will continue to have effect for a period of five (5) years and will thereafter be automatically extended for another further five (5) year period, unless either Participant notifies the other in writing directly or through diplomatic channels about its intention to discontinue this MOU at least six (6) months prior to the discontinuance of the initial or any subsequent period of validity.
3. Such discontinuance of this MOU will not affect the implementation of any cooperation activity initiated prior to the date of the notice of discontinuance or ongoing programs and projects at the time of discontinuance, unless otherwise decided.
4. Subject to the consent of the Participants, this MOU may be modified by the exchange of written consent through diplomatic channels, in accordance with the necessary internal legal procedures required in accordance with their national law for its entry into validation.

Signed in Riyadh on Sunday 30th January 2022 in two original copies, in Arabic and English, both texts being equally authentic.