Trade minister and Saudi ministerial delegation visit Space Institute

Trade and Investment Minister the Hon Todd McClay and a trade delegation from Saudi Arabia visited Te Pūnaha Ātea, Space Institute at the University of Auckland this week.

The Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater welcomed the delegation. She raised the Institute’s remote sensing research.

“This serves to strengthen environmental management and sustainable farming practice. This aligns with Saudia Arabia’s Vision 2030 for environmental stewardship and food security.”

Professor Freshwater said the Space Institute was a living example of how to conduct research that spanned multiple disciplines.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, His Excellency Eng Abdulrahman A. AlFadley thanked the University for hosting the visit. He supported efforts to create real world impact from research.

Minister AlFadley is leading a delegation of more than 35 senior Saudi officials and businesspeople to Auckland for the 9th New Zealand–Saudi Arabia Joint Ministerial Commission – a key platform for advancing trade and economic ties between the two countries.

“The hosting of this Joint Commission in New Zealand reflects the strong momentum in our relationship with Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf region, particularly following the successful conclusion of negotiations for the New Zealand-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement late last year,” McClay said.

Professor Roberto Armellin and Chris Jackson of the Space Institute spoke about the origins, purpose, and opportunities to train the next generation of space scientists and engineers and offer purpose-built capabilities to support the country’s initiatives in space.