International Moon Day – Main Event 2025
July 20 | University of Dubai
The Main Event will beLive Streamed on This Page
Join us for the global celebration of International Moon Day 2025, taking place at the University of Dubai on July 20. This flagship event, organized by the Moon Village Association in partnership with the University of Dubai, will bring together international space leaders, astronauts, students, and innovators to inspire dialogue and collaboration around lunar exploration.
Prelimary Program
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Opening
- Eesa Bastaki, President of the University of Dubai
- Giuseppe Reibaldi, President of the Moon Village Association
- Greetings by
- Mr. Driss El Hadani, UNOOSA Deputy Director
- Heads of Space Agencies
- Senior Space Leaders
9:30 AM- 10:20 AM | Key Notes
- Dr. Nasr Alsahaf, International Moon Day (IMD) Chair
- HE. Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, UAE Space Agency, DG
- HE. Salem AlMarri,Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), DG
10:20 AM – 10:50 AM | Inspiration Talks: Emirati Astronauts & Rashid Rover
- Emirati Astronauts (e.g. Sultan Al Neyadi, Hazza Al Mansouri, Noora Al Matrooshi)
- Interactive Q&A with students and audience.
10:50 AM – 11:30 AM | Youth Panel: “Why Go to the Moon?”
- Panel discussion featuring selected students (schools & universities) to debate and discuss:
- The significance of Moon exploration
- UAE’s vision for lunar exploration
- How lunar exploration benefits humanity and inspires innovation.
11:30 AM – 11:50 AM | Break & Virtual Reality MoonwalkExperience
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)
Virtual Reality Moonwalk Experience:
Immersive VR experience allowing participants to virtually explore the lunar surface.
11:50 AM – 12:30 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
12:30 AM – 13:00 PM | Student Recognition & Awards Ceremony
- 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,
2:00 PM – 2:45 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 programs. Considering the increasing number of stakeholders involved in lunar missions and the lack of definition of the existing space treaties, new ways to define lunar governance are required at the level of the United Nations.
2:45 PM – 3:00 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.