The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), together with the Permanent Mission of the Philippines in Vienna, participated in the 67th Session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) held in Vienna International Centre, Vienna, Austria, from 19 to 28 June 2024. The delegation included representatives from the Permanent Mission of the Philippines in Vienna.
PhilSA Deputy Director General for Space Operations, Infrastructure, and Industry Denis F. Villorente and Philippine Permanent Mission in Vienna Consul Candy Cypres-Bauzon delivered national statements during the Legal Subcommittee of the UN COPUOS session.
67th SESSION OF THE LEGAL SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE ON THE PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE
PHILIPPINE STATEMENT
AGENDA ITEM NO. 5 “GENERAL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS”
delivered by
DENIS F. VILLORENTE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR
SPACE OPERATIONS, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND INDUSTRY
PHILIPPINE SPACE AGENCY (PhilSA)
Mr. Chair,
The Philippines extends its utmost appreciation to the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) for the successful conduct of this year’s 67th Session of UN COPUOS. We welcome the Chairmanship of Mr. Sherif Sedky of Egypt. Please be assured of the Philippine delegation’s full cooperation and active participation in the 67th Session of the UN COPUOS.
The Philippines remains committed to the five (5) outer space treaties and highlights our full support towards their universalization that connotes effective treaty implementation and compliance with all legal obligations of the parties involved.
It is my honor to inform you and the distinguished delegates that the Philippines has recently acceded to the ‘Registration Convention’. The accession is a milestone that illustrates the country’s dedication to abide by international law and to express its full interest to pursue the peaceful use of outer space. As a demonstration of our commitment even before the Philippines’ accession, the country has already registered multiple nanosatellites with the UN Register of Space Objects Launched into Outer Space.
Along with our commitment to abide and adhere to the international principles and norms is to approach it on various levels that promotes the five (5) UN outer space treaties. We have programs even for the primary education level to nurture the minds of future generations on the importance of space science, technology, and law and that outer space is for all mankind.
Internationally, the Philippines is delighted to note the momentous inclusion of outer space in Our Common Agenda, under Policy Brief 7, titled as For all humanity: The future of Outer Space Governance.
We are pleased to inform the Committee of the inclusion of outer space in the country’s National Security Strategy. Our open and inclusive policies underscore the critical role of outer space using space-based assets and emerging technologies in the protection and promotion of our national interests.
Mr. Chair,
As a nascent space-faring nation, we continue to recognize the importance of utilizing the relevant platforms and mechanisms of diplomacy and international cooperation in developing our country’s space science and technology application (SSTA), as well as to underscore its critical role in ensuring peace and sustainability in outer space.
We thank the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), European Space Agency (ESA) and other partners for continuously working with the PhilSA to further the development of SSTA through research, innovation and data sharing.
We take this opportunity to inform the Committee that the Philippines and the United States held its inaugural Space Dialogue last month, with the objective of strengthening our cooperation in civil space matters. We thank the United States for hosting the dialogue.
We would like to also share that we recently signed the implementing agreement on the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2 (ALOS-2) with JAXA, a partnership that aims to jointly carry out the research activities for satellite data application and development to support monitoring of the environment and the natural disasters in the Philippines.
On our partnership with ESA, we are making progress in implementation of the Copernicus Space Component Technical Operating Arrangement (CTOA). We will continue to harness engagements with other countries to support our shared goals and commitments as we leap towards advancement in SSTA.
We also thank UNOOSA for organizing the UN Philippines Workshop on the Applications of Global Navigation Satellite Systems, held on April 22-24, 2024 in Manila. The workshop, co-organized by the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems, our National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, and the PhilSA, was an effective venue to discuss current GNSS technology trends and uses, and case studies for valuable learning of the participants.
Mr. Chair,
On the topic of sustainability in outer space, the Philippines affirms its commitment to contribute to the sustainability of outer space activities through the Space2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Our delegation will elaborate on this further in our statements for Agenda Items no. 09 and 16.
In closing, the Philippines remains responsive to the current needs and challenges of the global community in space. We believe that international cooperation coupled with space science and technology will lead the way towards sustainable development and innovation that would in turn benefit all of humankind.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
67th SESSION OF THE LEGAL SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE ON THE PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE
PHILIPPINE STATEMENT
AGENDA ITEM NO. 9 “SPACE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”
delivered by
DENIS F. VILLORENTE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL FOR
SPACE OPERATIONS, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND INDUSTRY
PHILIPPINE SPACE AGENCY (PhilSA)
Mr. Chair,
On behalf of the Philippines, we express our utmost appreciation to you, Chair Sherif Sedky, and to the dedicated staff at the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) for the excellent preparations made for this year’s session.
The Philippines is committed in pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) through space science and technology application (SSTA). The country notes the benefits in achieving the SDGs such as mitigating climate change and ensuring food security.
Regarding the utilization of space technology for sustainable development at the national level, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) conducts the “PhilSA Integrated Network for Space-Enabled Actions towards Sustainability” (PINAS) in different provinces across the Philippines. The project engages communities by providing relevant training on the use of satellite images and derived products that support planning, monitoring and decision-making in their programs while getting feedback on how these tools can be made more responsive and tailored to local needs.
This project is a whole of society approach involving the local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (NGAs), research and development institutions (RDIs), and citizens, as well as non-government organizations, such as civil society organizations (CSOs) and private companies in providing space-based services. A recent example is the development and distribution of the nationwide mangrove maps, where PhilSA collaborated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Philippines. Using satellite imagery, remote sensing and artificial intelligence techniques, PhilSA was able to quickly generate the nationwide map and distribute it to the public for ground validation. Notably, this agile approach contributes to sustainability through active community engagement and by promoting citizen science. Another relevant project of PhilSA is the Pan-Asia Partnership for Geospatial Air Pollution Information Project and the Pandora Asia Network (PAPGAPI-PAN), a project that aims to monitor air quality via Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) aboard the GEO-KOMPSAT-2B Satellite and a network of ground-based remote sensing instruments for data validation called Pandora. This was made possible through our cooperation with the Republic of Korea, and with this, we express our utmost appreciation.
The Philippines highlights the importance of the Technical Advisory Mission (TAM) for Space Law for New Space Actors Program of UNOOSA, that aims to raise awareness on the fundamental principles of international space law, as well as underscore its relevance in the national context. The Philippines will continue to ensure their continuous application in our current and future space activities and international cooperation.
We look forward to the next TAM, which will be held in Manila in November 2024. We thank UNOOSA and the government of Japan for selecting the Philippines for this technical mission.
At the regional level, the Philippines emphasizes that it will continue to cooperate in the existing initiatives on sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region, through our continued participation in the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) and our full support to the implementation of the Asia-Pacific Plan of Action on Space Applications for Sustainable Development (2018-2030). Likewise, we would like to take this opportunity to announce that the Philippines is hosting the 31st Annual Meeting of APRSAF this coming 2025.
Mr. Chair,
The Philippines underscores its commitment in pursuing the development of its own space capabilities and highlights its willingness to cooperate with the global space community in jointly exploring a safe and sustainable approach in space development.
In pursuit of becoming a space capable nation through satellite development and missions, the Philippines assures this Committee that the country is committed to uphold the Guidelines for the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities or the LTS Guidelines, and other relevant guidelines set forth by the UN in the management and governance of space activities. Philippine space missions are designed to adhere with space debris mitigation guidelines which limit the long-term presence of satellites in outer space at the end of their missions.
In addition, the Philippines is currently finalizing the country’s response protocols concerning rocket launches and other outer space activities such as space vehicle launches (SVL) and orbital debris re-entry (ODR).
Mr. Chair,
In conclusion, our delegation assures the Committee that the Philippines will continue in pursuing the sustainable development approach in its space science and technology application development and continue to utilize space technology for sustainability on Earth and in outer space. We will continue to abide by existing norms and principles in advancing our common agenda for the attainment of the sustainable development goals.
We call on other member states to do the same to harness the benefits of space for all nations.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
67th SESSION OF THE LEGAL SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE ON THE PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE
PHILIPPINE STATEMENT
AGENDA ITEM NO. 16 “SPACE 2030”
delivered by
CONSUL CANDY CYPRES-BAUZON
PHILIPPINE PERMANENT MISSION IN VIENNA
Mr. Chair,
The Philippines reaffirms its full support to the adoption of the Space2030 Agenda that aims to utilize space activities and space tools in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
As a country affected by climate change and exposed to both natural and anthropogenic hazards, we strongly believe in the importance of utilizing space tools in pursuing sustainable development goals, as well as to use these space tools in enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response.
Furthermore, we highlight the critical role of space data in the formulation of data-driven and evidence-based policies. This will in turn help uplift conditions in the country, especially in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA).
The Philippines looks forward to the finalization of the action-oriented outcome document Pact for the Future during the Summit of the Future on September 22-24, 2024. The Philippines lauds the inclusion of a new governance framework for outer space captured in the document. Likewise, we express our appreciation to the efforts of Germany and Namibia in their endeavor to facilitate coordination activities in preparation for the summit.
Mr. Chair,
At the national level, the Philippines continues to develop and use space science and technology applications to observe the climate, monitor the natural and built environment, and implement effective disaster risk reduction and management through its own sovereign satellites, as well as through other available satellite data sources made available by our partners.
The Philippines fully supports harnessing space to improve quality of life. We recognize the importance of Earth observation in assessing the ocean and marine ecosystem, agriculture and forestry, biodiversity, and infrastructure such as roads and bridges. Space capabilities provide valuable tools for planning, prioritizing, and evaluating programs geared towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.
For instance, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has partnered with the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to create a geospatial database of the country’s natural resources and to monitor the National Greening Program using space data. Through this partnership, we are generating monthly indices or maps on vegetation trends and biophysical parameters and develop ways to detect changes. As a concrete example, we employed satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to automatically detect mangrove areas across the country and quickly generate a nationwide map, which we have distributed to the public for ground validation. This approach builds a sense of ownership through community engagement and citizen science. These maps and public engagement contribute to the country’s efforts in effectively and sustainably managing and conserving vital natural resources and enhancing climate resilience.
On March 19, 2024, PhilSA co-organized and participated in the “Navigating the Frontiers of Global Space Collaboration and Promoting Space Science and Technology Applications Across Industries” conference. Supported by the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines, the conference highlighted the significance of space capabilities for addressing various national imperatives.
For an archipelagic, maritime nation, the development and use of space science and technology applications for monitoring benthic habitats, and managing fisheries and coastal resources are important. On air quality monitoring, we have an existing partnership with the Republic of Korea and UNESCAP on the PAPGAPI Project and the use of Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) satellite that would give unprecedented ability to monitor daytime air quality over the entire Philippines on an hourly basis.
Mr. Chair,
In conclusion, as the Philippine embarks on its journey towards the realization of its goals towards the Space 2030 agenda, it also ensures that its plans and programs are also aligned and consistent with its national policies and issuances such as the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and other international commitments in the Paris Agreement, Sendai Framework and other post 2015 agenda as precursor of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Thank you.