The programme is highlighting the UAE’s space-related achievements with a variety of informative events including educational workshops for students.

Sohaila Ahmed, Staff Reporter

The World Space Week Programme, which was organised by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (Epaa), opened at Sharjah’s Natural History & Botanical Museum on Sunday.

The theme of the 5-day programme which ends on Oct.10 is “The Moon: gateway to the stars”. It is aimed at the Museum’s staff and visitors and government organisations.

This year, the programme is highlighting the moon and the UAE’s space-related achievements with a variety of informative activities and events including educational workshops for students. The programme will also highlight the 50th anniversary of man’s first step on the moon.

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Epaa Chairperson, said, “We are keen to celebrate many global events, including World Space Week. This year, it coincides with the recent return of Hazza Al Mansouri, the UAE’s first astronaut to go to space on a historic 8-day mission.”

Maryam Juma, the Mueseum’s Curator added, “On the first day, a significant number of officials, employees and visitors expressed their appreciation for the programme, which includes a 5-day exhibition and workshops, and for the commemorative gifts distributed by Epaa’s teams.”

The United Nations declared World Space Week an annual event in 1999. The world’s largest annual space event, World Space Week is celebrated by educating the public about space activities and promoting international cooperation in terms of space-related awareness and education. Last year, more than 5,000 events were organised in over 80 countries to mark this special week.

World Space Week, Oct 4-10 annually, is the largest space event on Earth. More than 5,000 events in over 80 countries celebrated the theme “Space Unites the World” in 2018.  The 2019 theme is “The Moon:  Gateway to the Stars.”