Somalia highlights space data priorities at Wenchang International Aviation and Aerospace Forum
Date: 2025-12-21
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Somalia’s
Director of Space and Satellite, Mohamed Abubakar Ismail, has participated as a
panelist in the Wenchang International Aviation and Aerospace Forum held in
Haikou, Hainan, contributing to high-level discussions on the use of
space-based data for development.
Ismail
took part in a panel themed “From Data to Decision-making: Jointly Building the
Belt and Road Space Information Corridor,” which examined how satellite
technologies, space-derived data, and international cooperation can be
harnessed to support sustainable development, disaster risk reduction,
connectivity, and economic growth.
During
the discussion, Ismail shared Somalia’s perspective on the importance of
leveraging space information for national planning and evidence-based
decision-making. He outlined the country’s priorities and aspirations in using
satellite data to strengthen development outcomes and improve resilience.
The
forum provided an opportunity for engagement with international experts and
policymakers, allowing for the exchange of experiences and best practices in
the growing global space information ecosystem. Ismail emphasized the need for
inclusive partnerships that enable developing countries to move beyond being
passive data users to becoming active contributors to space-based information
systems.
He
noted that participation in the forum reinforced Somalia’s commitment to
building institutional capacity, developing supportive policy frameworks, and
investing in human capital to maximize the value of space-derived data.
According to Ismail, these efforts are essential to ensuring that space and
satellite technologies effectively inform decision-making and support long-term
national development.
