The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA participated in the 63rd Session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) held in Vienna International Centre, Vienna, Austria, from 02 to 13 February 2026.
PhilSA Space Technology Missions and Systems Bureau Director Dr. Marc Caesar R. Talampas and PhilSA Space International Cooperation Division Chief Mr. Kritzman G. Caballero delivered national statements during the STSC UN COPUOS session.
63rd Session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
Philippine National Statement
Agenda Item No. 4 “General Exchange of Views and Introduction of Reports Submitted on National Activities”
delivered by
MARC CAESAR R. TALAMPAS, Ph.D.
Director IV
Space Technology Missions and Systems Bureau
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
The Philippine delegation extends our warm congratulations to Thailand, led by Dr. Pakorn Apaphant, on assuming the Chairship of the 63rd Session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC). We also wish to express our appreciation to the UNOOSA Secretariat, led by Director Aarti Holla-Maini, for its excellent preparations for this year’s session.
Over the past year, the Philippines continued to advance meaningful dialogue on ensuring that outer space remains a domain of innovation, cooperation, and collaboration. We were honored to have hosted the 31st Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (or APRSAF-31) in partnership with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the 7th International Space Forum in partnership with the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI). We sincerely thank our partners for their trust and contributions that will lead toward strengthening global cooperation and the promotion of the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space.
We are pleased to share that the Philippines signed the Artemis Accords in October 2025. We view this milestone as a clear affirmation of our commitment to the peaceful, transparent, and responsible exploration and use of outer space, including activities on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The signing underscores the Philippines’ resolve to remain an active stakeholder in global space governance and in upholding international law, as emerging technologies and private sector activities increasingly test the boundaries of existing legal frameworks.
We are further pleased to report that the Philippines has signed the Declaration of Interest of the Space4Ocean Alliance on the sidelines of the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC). As an archipelagic nation, we see strong alignment between the Alliance’s objectives and our national priorities in ocean stewardship.
Mr. Chair,
This year, the Philippines is scheduled to launch the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) satellite. Designed primarily for agricultural monitoring, MULA will support national food security and resilience objectives. This launch reflects the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening our space ecosystem and developing a sustainable and competitive space industry. To this end, we are pleased to announce that we have become a member of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, and we are committed to actively participate in its work.
The Philippines continues to experience the impacts of space debris associated rocket launches. Recently, rocket debris was discarded within Philippine archipelagic waters, raising important considerations related to jurisdiction, safety, economic impact, and environmental protection.
We reiterate our readiness for constructive dialogue to address the escalating challenge of debris. We firmly uphold that activities in space must be conducted with due regard to the corresponding interests of all States, and that progress in space must never come at the expense of harm to life and the environment on Earth.
Mr. Chair,
As ASEAN Chair, the Philippines is pleased to highlight regional initiatives that strengthen cooperation in space activities. We will convene the ASEAN Space Situational Awareness and Space Traffic Management Seminar-Workshop on 12–13 March 2026, providing a platform for dialogue and reinforcing ongoing and future efforts on SSA and STM. We thank UNOOSA for their valuable support and partnership in the activity.
We are working towards an ASEAN Declaration on Space Cooperation for adoption during our ASEAN Chairship. This is meant to enhance existing mechanisms and advance the region’s capabilities in space. We recognize the vital role of space technology in achieving an inclusive and sustainable regional development, and the need for ASEAN to fully leverage emerging opportunities in space cooperation.
In closing, the Philippines reaffirms our unwavering commitment to the shared aspiration of ensuring that outer space remains a peaceful, safe, and sustainable domain for the benefit of all humankind. We reiterate our steadfast adherence to the principles and obligations enshrined in the UN Charter, and we encourage all Member States to continue embracing multilateralism as an indispensable pillar in advancing our common interests in outer space. In this spirit, we call upon all Members and Observers to fully harness the opportunities provided by this Subcommittee for open, constructive dialogue and to strengthen cooperation.
We further underscore the importance of ensuring that developing states are meaningfully included in these discussions—empowered not only to participate, but to derive substantial and equitable benefits from emerging developments in the global space arena. Together, let us continue building a space environment that is inclusive, responsible, and conducive to long-term sustainability for present and future generations.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
63rd Session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
Philippine National Statement
Agenda Item No. 7 “Space-system-based disaster management support”
delivered by:
KRITZMAN G. CABALLERO
Chief for Space International Cooperation
Space Policy and International Cooperation Bureau
Mr. Chair,
The Philippines recognizes the critical role of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), and the significant contribution of space-system-based applications in supporting these mechanisms. Situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire and the Typhoon Belt, we are one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world; thus, underscoring our strong interest in strengthening and leveraging the opportunities offered by space science and technology applications in enhancing disaster preparedness and response.
We remain an active participant in Sentinel Asia, as one of its Data Provider Nodes. We have supported regional disaster response by generating and sharing satellite data, which supports disaster impact assessment, planning, and response. We are also thankful for the resources made available through the International Charter Space and Major Disasters that have enabled our timely and effective response during disaster incidents.
Our DRRM activities also encompass our obligation to uphold climate resilience in the country, especially as the National Focal Point for Space for Climate Observatory (SCO). The country has three existing projects under the SCO—the Drought Early Warning in the Philippines, the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards, and, most recently, the CopPhil-BLUEHAB, which pilots a remote sensing service to map, classify, and monitor benthic habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass beds using Copernicus data. This service reinforces the Philippines’ ability to sustainably monitor and protect its marine environment.
The use of satellite data is essential in saving lives and livelihoods, especially last year, when the Philippines was ravaged by at least twenty typhoons and experienced sequential earthquakes. We used space data for drought monitoring, assessment of coastal environment conditions, mapping of flood-prone areas, and identification of fault lines. These experiences strongly motivate our efforts to collaborate with local and international partners and maximize such data and technologies for DRRM.
Mr. Chair,
International cooperation remains a core component of our mandate and supports national development objectives. We continue to strengthen collaboration with our regional partners. For example, our partnership with the European Union through the Copernicus Programme (CopPhil) further enhances our DRRM capacity through the provided access to Copernicus satellite data and Earth observation services.
We also note the successful launch of SCOPE Digital in 2025, in partnership with Indonesia, Thailand, and the European Union. This initiative expands the CopPhil system and strengthens Earth observation-based solutions for disaster resilience, natural resource management, and sustainable development across Southeast Asia.
We encourage the continued development and strengthening of inclusive frameworks and programs that enable developing countries to participate meaningfully, share their experiences, and have their specific needs reflected. The Philippines continues to support UN‑SPIDER initiatives, particularly as a sponsor of the Digital Twin for Flood Resilience and the Regional Technical Advisory Mission on Disaster Management and Response, with particular focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Climate change and disasters are not isolated phenomena; they amplify each other’s impacts, creating cascading risks that disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. It is therefore imperative for States to recognize the accelerating climate shifts and to strengthen the peaceful use of space systems to support national, regional, and global disaster management efforts.
The Philippines remains steadfast in supporting and strengthening international and regional mechanisms that harness space-based capabilities for efficient, effective, and people-centered disaster risk reduction and management. We stand with our partners (or like-minded States) in advancing the peaceful, sustainable, and cooperative use of outer space through improved access to satellite data, responsible practices, and sustained capacity-building initiatives.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
63rd Session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
Philippine National Statement
Agenda Item No. 11 – Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities
delivered by
KRITZMAN G. CABALLERO
Chief for Space International Cooperation
Space Policy and International Cooperation Bureau
Mr. Chair,
The Philippines reiterates its adherence and strong commitment to the United Nations’ Twenty-One (21) Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability (LTS) of Outer Space Activities and Action 56 of the Pact for the Future, which underscores the need to strengthen existing frameworks and establish new mechanisms addressing space traffic, space debris, and space resources.
We welcome the progress achieved last year through the discussions of the Working Group on the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities (WG-LTS), in particular:
- We fully support the development of a new multi-year workplan of the WG-LTS, as well as the identified thematic areas. We especially value the inclusion of space situational awareness and space debris as priority themes.
- We welcome the establishment of the LTS open-source information repository, which reflects the shared commitment of Committee Members to advancing the long-term sustainability of outer space. We recognize the usefulness of this information repository in enhancing national space capabilities in a manner that is robust and sustainable. We look forward to sharing our insights and experiences in this regard.
- On the Expert Group on Space Situational Awareness (SSA), introduced by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), we express our interest in participating and contributing to the discussions. We note that this initiative is particularly timely, given the increasing amount of space debris in low earth orbit (LEO).
We also welcome the opportunity to contribute national perspectives on SSA to the anticipated conference room paper to be issued during this Session. The Philippines looks forward to in-depth discussions on SSA and to exploring ways in which we can contribute meaningfully to the work of the Expert Group and to the future efforts under the LTS Framework.
Mr. Chair,
As the Philippines advances a robust and future‑ready space sector, we are finalizing the Philippine Space Industry Development Plan 2026–2035—a foundational framework aimed at strengthening national participation in the global space economy. In alignment with the LTS Guidelines, our domestic policies seek to support Filipino space enterprises while upholding international norms and contributing constructively to the long‑term sustainability of outer space activities.
At the regional level, the Philippines was honored to co-host the ASEAN Regional Forum Workshop on Peace and Security in Outer Space, together with Australia and Singapore, from 26–28 November 2025 in Manila. The workshop advanced regional dialogue on space sustainability, space debris, and related security concerns—reinforcing the region’s collective commitment to the peaceful and responsible use of outer space.
Building on this momentum, and as ASEAN Chair in 2026, the Philippines will host the ASEAN Space Situational Awareness and Space Traffic Management Seminar-Workshop on 12–13 March 2026, in partnership with UNOOSA. This initiative aims to deepen regional dialogue and strengthen cooperation on SSA and STM, enabling Southeast Asia to collectively address emerging challenges and promote the long-term safety and sustainability of the space environment.
Mr. Chair,
The Philippines has, on several occasions, noted the presence of space debris within areas under its jurisdiction. As global space activities continue to expand, we note with concern indications of increasing frequency, which pose potential risks to public safety, livelihoods, and the marine environment.
These developments underscore the importance of meaningful prior coordination consistent with international law and existing international frameworks. The Philippines looks forward to constructive dialogue on practical and mutually acceptable solutions that promote responsible and sustainable space operations.
As the Committee concludes the work of the Working Group on the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities, the Philippines expresses its continued support for advancing this important agenda. We reaffirm our belief that multilateralism, transparency, and diplomacy must remain at the core of our collective efforts to safeguard the peaceful, sustainable, and cooperative use of outer space for present and future generations.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
