Saudi Space Agency, Airbus Discuss Ways to Enhance Cooperation

Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Space Agency (SSA) Dr. Mohammed Saud Al-Tamimi held a meeting with the head of Aerospace at Airbus
Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Space Agency (SSA) Dr. Mohammed Saud Al-Tamimi held a meeting with the head of Aerospace at Airbus
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Saudi Space Agency, Airbus Discuss Ways to Enhance Cooperation

Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Space Agency (SSA) Dr. Mohammed Saud Al-Tamimi held a meeting with the head of Aerospace at Airbus
Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Space Agency (SSA) Dr. Mohammed Saud Al-Tamimi held a meeting with the head of Aerospace at Airbus

Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Space Agency (SSA) Dr. Mohammed Saud Al-Tamimi held a meeting on Tuesday with the head of Aerospace at Airbus, Dr. Jean-Marc Nasr, to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation in the field of space and its future sectors.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 54th edition of the Paris Air Show, held in the French capital, Paris.

Al-Tamimi and Nasr discussed opportunities for cooperation to develop the space sector and investment in future joint projects in the sector, to achieve common goals in the economic and strategic fields in the domain of space and its technologies.

Saudi Arabia has witnessed a rapid development in this field, and very recently, two Saudi astronauts, Rayana Barnawi, the first Arab and Muslim female astronaut, and Ali Al-Qarni, went on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Also Tuesday, chairman of the Board of Directors of SSA Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha met in Paris with President of the French National Center for Space Studies (CNES) Dr. Philippe Baptiste and with Chairman and CEO of the French company Thales Eng. Patrice Caine.

The meetings addressed ways of strengthening the strategic partnership between SSA, research centers, and international space companies, as well as ways to support cooperation mechanisms in the fields of space and innovation.

Al-Swaha and Baptiste discussed the scope of cooperation between the CNES and the SSA, as well as ways to increase sustainable development efforts through space activities held by the two sides, while with Caine, talks focused on the growth of the Saudi space sector and cooperation in transferring and developing human capabilities and investment opportunities between the SSA and Thales.



Copenhagen to Offer Giveaways to Eco-friendly Tourists

Copenhagen will offer rebates at tourist sites to visitors who use bikes and pick up trash. Asger Korsgaard Jensen / Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/File
Copenhagen will offer rebates at tourist sites to visitors who use bikes and pick up trash. Asger Korsgaard Jensen / Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/File
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Copenhagen to Offer Giveaways to Eco-friendly Tourists

Copenhagen will offer rebates at tourist sites to visitors who use bikes and pick up trash. Asger Korsgaard Jensen / Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/File
Copenhagen will offer rebates at tourist sites to visitors who use bikes and pick up trash. Asger Korsgaard Jensen / Ritzau Scanpix/AFP/File

The city of Copenhagen will offer special rebates and freebies to eco-friendly tourists this summer, including free bike rentals to those arriving by train and staying more than four days.

The CopenPay initiative, which was tested on a smaller scale last year, "is about raising travelers' awareness about travelling more responsibly," Soren Tegen Pedersen, the head of the city's tourism board Wonderful Copenhagen, told AFP.

The emphasis of the initiative is on transport, a highly polluting sector.

Those who make climate-friendly and environmental choices, such as using bikes and picking up trash, will also be offered rebates at museums and tourist sites, as well as free yoga classes and vegetarian meals.

Ninety sites are participating in the campaign, including the National Museum and CopenHill, a synthetic ski slope.

The campaign, which opens on June 17 and lasts until late August, will be advertised on billboards around the city and social media.

Goboat, a hire service for electric motorboats powered by solar panels, said taking part in the initiative last year helped show its commitment to climate solutions.

"Last year, 500 people jumped at our offer of one hour of free boating in exchange for picking up trash in the waters of the port. We weren't even able to satisfy demand," company representative Mads Pilegaard Sander told AFP.

In 2024, 75,000 tourists took part in the city's one-month trial.

Bike rentals increased by 29 percent during the period, tons of trash were collected, and 98 percent of participants said they would recommend the initiative, the tourism board said.