IMD 2025 – Main Event

Live Stream starts at 9:00 AM Dubai Time

Program

Master of Ceremonies: Ms. Sara Alessa 

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Opening

• Dr. Eesa Bastaki, President of the University of Dubai
• Dr. Giuseppe Reibaldi, President of the Moon Village Association
• Greetings by
  • Mr. Driss El Hadani, Deputy Director, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
  • Prof. Wu Weiren, Director General, Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL)
  • Dr. Hiroshi Yamakawa, President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
  • Prof. Teodoro Valente, President, Italian Space Agency (ASI)

9:30 AM- 10:20 AM | Key Notes

• Dr. Nasr Alsahaf, Chairman, International Moon Day (IMD)
• HE Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of Youth, Astronaut, (TBC)
• Mr. John C. Mankins, CEO, Mankins Space Technologies Inc.
• Mr. Atsushi Saiki, Executive Fellow, ispace, inc.

10:20 AM – 10:50 AM | Emirates Lunar Mission Session

• Speaker: Eng. Amna Khalifa Busoud
• Rover Design and Mobility Lead, Emirates Lunar Mission

10:50 AM – 11:10 AM | Networking and Refreshments Break

Exhibition Area:

• Displays from space organizations (MBRSC, UAE Space Agency, private space startups)
• Student project displays showcasing lunar concepts, models, and innovations (this has to be announced and worked out in advance and presented during the celebration)

11:10 M – 11:20 AM | “Lunar Governance – industry perspective” – Fireside chat with Mr. Mike Gold and Dr. Giuseppe Reibaldi

Discussion on Lunar Governance between Mr. Mike Gold, President, Civil and International Space at Redwire and Dr. Giuseppe Reibaldi, President, Moon Village Association.

11:20 AM – 12:00 PM | Expert Panel Session 1: “Moonshots:  Innovation & Lunar Markets”

Panel of space experts, entrepreneurs and industry  discussing innovation opportunities, space startups, and commercial programs opening new lunar markets

Moderator: Dr. Saeed Aldhaheri, Director, Center of Future Studies

• Mr. Satoru Kurosu, Yokogawa Electric & MVA
• Ms. Fatima Al Khateri, Director of Sharjah Astronomical Planetarium Department at SAASST
• Mr. Serdar Baycan, Solar Space Technologies

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM | Student Recognition & Awards Ceremony

Celebrate winners of competitions, award certificates, trophies, and announce special recognitions.

• Short speech by distinguished guests acknowledging students’ creativity and enthusiasm.
• UAE Mission Moonlight 2050 Challenge: Students must design a moonbase for UAE settlement on the moon by 2050, using digital arts and generative AI tools. The challenge will be announced before the event and winners will be invited to come present their designs and will be recognized during the event.
• Presentation and Recognizing the UAE team winner of the NASA International Space Apps Challenge

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch Break

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM | Panel Session 2: Lunar Governance: Challenges and Opportunities

This panel explores the challenges and opportunities for coordination and cooperation of lunar activities, including the Artemis and ILRS programmes. Considering the increasing number of stakeholders involved in lunar missions and the lack of definition of the existing space treaties, new way to define lunar governance are required at the level of the United Nations.

Moderator: Mr. Driss El Hadani, Deputy Director, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)

• Prof. Scott Pace, Professor of Practice of International Affairs, George Washington University 
• Ms. Ulpia-Elena Botezatu, Co-Chair, UN Action Team on Lunar Consultation Activities (ATLAC)
• Eng. Hoor Al Mazmi, Senior Researcher, Space Science, UAE Space Agency
• Prof. Ilias Fernini, College of Science, UAE University

2:15 PM – 2:30 PM | Closing Remarks by Dr. Eesa Bastaki and Dr. Giuseppe Reibaldi

• Announcements
• Final thoughts and invitation to participants for future involvement in space initiatives.
• Networking and photo opportunities with guests, speakers, astronauts, and student participants.