Legislation Details
- Full Title: Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability)
- Law Type: Cabinet Resolution
- Law Number: No. (205) of 2025
- Issued Date: 28 Nov 2025
- Effective Date: 13 Dec 2025
- Official Gazette: No. 813
- Sector: Telecommunication, Technology and Space
- Status: Active
- Number of Articles: 28
- Chapters/Parts: 0
- Amendments: 0
Summary
This Cabinet Resolution regulates the compensation for damage caused to third parties during the conduct of space activities and other activities related to the space sector in the UAE. The law aims to ensure that operators engaging in such activities have the necessary financial capacity to cover potential liabilities and compensate third parties for any harm or losses. It establishes a framework for operators to submit compensation guarantee instruments, determines liability limits, and outlines the responsibilities of the UAE Space Agency in overseeing and enforcing these requirements. The law is significant for businesses and individuals involved in the UAE's growing space sector, as it provides legal certainty and protection for third parties who may be affected by space-related operations. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability), 2025)
What is the scope and purpose of this law?
The provisions of this Cabinet Resolution apply to operators, authorization applicants, or operators authorized by the UAE Space Agency to conduct space activities or other activities related to the space sector in accordance with the Federal Decree-Law No. (46) of 2023 Regarding the Regulation of the Space Sector and its implementing regulations. The purpose of the law is to establish a framework to ensure that operators engaging in such activities have the necessary financial capacity to compensate third parties for any damage caused. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability), 2025, Art. 2)
What are the key definitions under this law?
The law provides the following key definitions:
- Authorization Regulations: The regulations governing the authorizations of space activities and other activities related to the space sector, as in force at the UAE Space Agency.
- Insurance Contract: A contract concluded between an insurance company (and, where applicable, an insurance broker), the operator, and any other insured entities, under which the insurance company undertakes to pay compensation to the operator where damage occurs thereto or is caused thereby to a contracting party or a third party.
- Insured: The operator, or, as the case may be, other entities covered by the Insurance Contract, including the owner of the space object, who is a party to the Insurance Contract and is obligated to pay the insurance premiums.
- Compensation Guarantee Instrument: The document submitted to the Agency by an authorization applicant or authorized operator evidencing its financial capacity to satisfy the liability compensation limit in respect of damage caused to a third party.
- Maximum Probable Loss (MPL): The aggregate of potential material losses arising from an accident or incident caused by the operator, resulting in loss of life, personal injury, health impairment, environmental losses, or property damage or loss.
(Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability), 2025, Art. 1)
What are the main obligations and requirements?
The key obligations and requirements under this law include: 1. Prior to commencing any space activities, an operator or authorization applicant must submit a Compensation Guarantee Instrument acceptable to the UAE Space Agency during the authorization issuance process. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability), 2025, Art. 3(1)) 2. The Agency may require an operator or authorization applicant wishing to conduct other activities related to the space sector to submit an Insurance Contract or other guarantees approved by the Agency. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability), 2025, Art. 3(4)) 3. Operators must immediately notify the Agency of any changes to their space activities or other activities related to the space sector, or to their legal or institutional status, to enable the Agency to assess the continued adequacy of the Compensation Guarantee Instrument. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability), 2025, Art. 10(1))
What licensing, registration, or approval requirements exist?
The law does not specify any licensing, registration, or approval requirements beyond the need for operators to submit a Compensation Guarantee Instrument acceptable to the UAE Space Agency prior to commencing any space activities or other activities related to the space sector. The Agency is responsible for assessing and approving the Compensation Guarantee Instrument during the authorization issuance process. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability), 2025, Art. 3)
Which authorities or bodies are responsible for enforcement?
The UAE Space Agency is the primary authority responsible for the enforcement of this law. The Agency is tasked with the following responsibilities: 1. Assessing and approving the Compensation Guarantee Instrument submitted by authorization applicants or operators. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability), 2025, Art. 3, 4) 2. Determining the liability compensation limit for authorization applicants or operators on a case-by-case basis. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability), 2025, Art. 5) 3. Conducting audits and requesting relevant information from operators to assess the adequacy and validity of the Compensation Guarantee Instrument. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability), 2025, Art. 10(2))
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The law does not specify any penalties for non-compliance. However, it states that the Agency may reject a Compensation Guarantee Instrument or revoke an authorization previously issued to an operator in case of failure to provide the required information in a manner deemed appropriate by the Agency. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability), 2025, Art. 7(3))
What exemptions or exceptions apply?
The law provides the following exemptions: 1. An authorization applicant or operator may submit a request to the Agency for exempting certain activities from the requirements of this Resolution. The Agency may grant such exemptions if the activities fall within the following categories: a. The space activity contributes to the development of the space sector in the UAE. b. The activities are authorized but an appropriate Insurance Contract cannot be secured due to their novel nature, provided the applicant or operator demonstrates the financial capacity to satisfy the liability compensation cap. c. The Agency considers that the imposition of liability obligations would constitute a burden on the implementation of the activities. d. The space activities are of a scientific or research nature and do not pose significant risks. e. The Agency or another government entity elects to act as a guarantor. 2. A temporary committee shall be formed to review requests for exemption and render the necessary decisions. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability), 2025, Art. 8)
When did this law come into effect?
This Cabinet Resolution came into effect on 13 December 2025, as stated in the Effective Date section of the legislation details. (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability), 2025)
How does this law interact with other UAE legislation?
This Cabinet Resolution is related to the following UAE federal laws and regulations: - Federal Decree-Law No. (46) of 2023 Regarding the Regulation of the Space Sector - Federal Decree-Law No. (47) of 2023 Regarding the Reorganization of the UAE Space Agency - Federal Decree No. (85) of 2000 Regarding the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, and the Two Agreements related such Activities - Cabinet Resolution No. (20) of 2023 Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability) (Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability), 2025, Preamble)
Source Documents
This article analyses Cabinet Resolution Regarding the Regulations Ensuring Compensation for Damage Caused to Third Parties during the Conduct of Space Activities and Other Activities Related to the Space Sector (Third Party Liability) for legal research and educational purposes. For the purpose of interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text prevails. This does not constitute legal advice.