The United Nations (UN) has accepted the invitation of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) to conduct a Technical Advisory Mission (TAM) in the Philippines on the use of space data for disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and climate change adaptation. Delegates from the UN Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response, or UN-SPIDER, will be in the Philippines from 26 to 30 September for the advisory mission. 

Established by the UN General Assembly in 2006, the UN-SPIDER aims to ensure all countries and international and regional organizations have the access and capacity to use all types of space-based information to support the full disaster management cycle. The UN-SPIDER administers TAM activities to make assessments and recommendations and develop guidelines for the fulfillment of its mission.

The conduct of UN-SPIDER TAM in the Philippines is part of the framework agreement between PhilSA and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) signed in June 2021. Among the areas of cooperation in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is the strengthened collaboration on the use of space-based information in managing disasters and responding to emergencies. The activity is also in line with PhilSA’s key development areas of hazard management and climate studies, and international cooperation.

From 26 to 28 September, the TAM team, together with PhilSA, will meet with authorities from agencies involved in DRRM-related activities to gather information and conduct consultations on how space data is being used for DRRM operations in the country. 

On 29 September, PhilSA and UN-SPIDER will hold an in-person public workshop in Quezon City designed for senior policymakers, data providers, disaster management agencies, DRR practitioners, and academic institutions. The workshop aims to raise awareness and serve as venue for exchanging technical know-how on current DRRM practices. Representatives from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) will present their DRRM operations and activities. Engr. Roel Dela Cruz of PhilSA Space Data Mobilization and Applications Division will talk about the Disaster, Hazard, and Risk Mapping or DHARMA Project of PhilSA. Dr. Shirish Kumar Ravan, head of UN-SPIDER Beijing Office, will give a keynote presentation, while PhilSA Director General Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr. and PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez will give the opening and closing remarks, respectively.

The workshop will be held in Novotel Manila Araneta City and is open to the public. Interested participants may register using this link:

https://forms.office.com/r/1gvc391F77

The workshop is also open for media coverage. A press briefing will be conducted after the workshop program. Interested media may register here for the event:

https://forms.gle/rP7tgVscWB72aAVu9

On 30 September, stakeholder meetings will be held to synthesize the recommendations developed from the consultation meetings and the workshop. Through the TAM, PhilSA and UN-SPIDER aim to come up with policy-level recommendations for the effective use of space technology for disaster management and for streamlined data sharing between providers and end users.