The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), representing the Philippines, participated in the Third Session of the United Nations (UN) Open-Ended Working Group on the Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space in All Its Aspects (OEWG PAROS), held last 06 to 10 July 2026, at the UN Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. 

During the session, the Philippines reaffirmed its commitments, views, and position on the international laws in outer space including the prohibition of the use of force in the UN Charter; the obligations of due regard under the Outer Space Treaty; the protection of space-based services to civilians and humanitarian operations; the operational and technological measures of self-restraints to states’ activities that may lead to the interference with space object operations; and the obligation to prevent the placement of weapons in outer space. 

The delegation also emphasized that providing reliable and timely notifications for aerospace flight activities are inherent obligations of States under the principle of due regard. These are necessary in improving transparency, accountability, and forming confidence-building measures (CBMs). 

PhilSA was represented by Space Policy and International Cooperation Bureau Director Atty. Noelle Riza Castillo and Space Security Technologies Division Chief Engr. Edgar Paolo Violan, while the DFA was represented by DFA Office of United Nations and International Organizations Director Jet Olfato and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva Second Secretary Christian Hope V. Reyes-San Jose. 

Established under the UN General Assembly Resolution 79/512, the OEWG PAROS serves as a key multilateral platform for advancing the norms, rules, and principles of responsible space behavior, and for coming up with recommendations for a legally binding instrument that promotes the peaceful, secure, and sustainable outer space. 

PhilSA and DFA paid a courtesy visit to Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva Ambassador Mr. Carlos Sorreta, and discussed the publication of PhilSA’s children’s activity book “Si Tala at ang Kanyang Lakbay Kalawakan!” into the six UN languages.