arabguplanetsThe Spanish Planetology and Astrobiology Network (REDESPA) is happy to inform that the Arabian Geosciences Union (ArabGU) has promoted the establishment of a Scientific Section on “Planetary Sciences and Astrobiology”.

This section will be officially presented during the First ArabGU International Conference, AIC-1 (Algeria, February 17-18, 2016). The creation of this section was proposed by Prof. Jesús Martínez-Frías (Senior Scientist of the Institute of Geosciences (CSIC-UCM), Director of REDESPA, Science Team Member of NASA and ESA missions and ArabGU Senior Advisory Board Member) to the ArabGU President (Prof. Zakaria Hamimi, Benha University, Egypt) and ArabGU board. Prof. Hamimi is co-chairing the AIC-1 together with Prof.  A. Quabadi.

The proposal was also submitted to the AIC-1 organizing committee and it was accepted. A specific Theme on this subject is already incorporated in the AIC-1 programme (Theme 14: Planetary Science and Astrobiology), which will be coordinated by Profs. El-Goresi, Martínez-Frías and other experts on these subjects.

REDESPA congratulates ArabGU for this excellent initiative and it is open for promoting scientific, institutional and educational links on these issues, in order to foster future collaborations between Europe and the Arab World.

1st ArabGU International Conference (AIC-1)

Honorary Presidents: Prof. A. Ouabadi & Prof. Z. Hamimi

Chairman: Prof. A. Bendaoud

Vice-Chairman: Prof. S. Djemai

Further information can be found in the First Circular (AIC-1)