The Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) 2024 soared to new heights as a beacon for global aerospace innovation and collaboration, reaffirming the Gulf’s pivotal role as a gateway to transformative opportunities. Organized by the Bahrain Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, this year’s event, held from November 13 to 15, broke ground with the much-anticipated return of the Space Forums and the debut of a Defense-focused forum. These additions underscored the event’s forward-thinking agenda, solidifying its reputation as a nexus for cutting-edge dialogue in aerospace and defense.
One of the show’s standout moments was the 2nd edition of the Space Forum, a convergence of leading minds in aerospace to tackle the pressing challenges and boundless opportunities of outer space. Among the highlights was an engaging panel discussion titled “Space Laws: A Tool to Implement Space Frameworks Nationally and Internationally,” which Prof. Sergio Marchisio had the distinct privilege to join as a speaker. This dynamic session, expertly moderated by Rosanna Margarita Hoffmann, Associate Legal Officer at UNOOSA, featured an illustrious panel of experts: Hesa bint Ali Al Khalifa (Bahrain National Space Science Agency), Marlène M. Losier (Losier Gonzalez), Ilgar Abdullayev (Azercosmos), and Hamda Al Hosani (UAE Space Agency). Together, they delved into the crucial role of space law in fostering cooperation, regulating activities, and ensuring that space remains a realm of peace, sustainability, and innovation.
In his presentation, Prof. Sergio Marchisio underscored the transformative power of national space legislation, citing the imminent approval of Italy’s national space law as a model. He explored the interplay between three critical legal concepts: the State responsible for national activities in space, the launching State, and the State of registry, highlighting their importance in ensuring accountability and legal order. Additionally, he shared insights into the mutual recognition of space activity licenses, a concept that could dramatically enhance collaboration and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for spacefaring nations.
His heartfelt gratitude goes to the organizers of BIAS for crafting such a visionary and impactful event: “It was an honor to contribute to shaping the future of space exploration, governance, and innovation.”
