The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has officially joined the Space4Ocean Alliance, a global coalition dedicated to advancing ocean preservation and protection through space technology. 

PhilSA Officer-in-Charge Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez signed the Declaration of Interest on 03 October 2025, on the sidelines of the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) held in Sydney, Australia. 

The Space4Ocean Alliance is a multilateral partnership composed of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the French Space Agency (CNES), the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA), the Monaco Space Office, the Maldives Space Research Organization (MSRO), UNESCO, and the European Space Agency (ESA). With over 30 international partners, the Alliance seeks to harness space-based data and applications to enhance ocean monitoring, conservation, and sustainable management. It also prioritizes capacity building for Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to strengthen their ability to address marine and coastal challenges through space-enabled solutions. 

In her statement, Dr. Perez highlighted the significance of the Philippines’ participation in the Alliance as a maritime and archipelagic nation, “The Philippines is, in many ways, a natural laboratory for studying the ocean and coastal environment. We see immense value in the goals of the Space4Ocean Alliance—particularly in linking space-based capabilities with ocean science, addressing observational and operational gaps, and enabling data-driven, evidence-based policies for ocean health and resilience,” said Dr. Perez. 

She emphasized the benefits of leveraging space science and technology to address concerns of marine and maritime environments, “By joining this Alliance, we reaffirm our commitment to expanding our space capabilities and forging deeper synergies with national, regional, and international stakeholders. We see the Space4Ocean Alliance as a catalyst for transforming global cooperation into concrete, lasting solutions that safeguard our oceans, empower our communities, and secure a sustainable future for generations to come,” she said. 

Through its membership in the Space4Ocean Alliance, PhilSA continues to champion the responsible use of space for the sustainable development of Earth’s ecosystems, advancing the use of space science and technology applications to better understand and manage the country’s water bodies which are vital sources of life.

[Center] UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini and PhilSA OIC Perez with PhilSA Planning Officer Rocell Niño Vicente [left] and Space Technology Missions and Systems Bureau (STMSB) Director Marc Caesar Talampas [right] during the signing of PhilSA’s Declaration of Interest for the Space4Ocean Alliance on the sidelines of the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney, Australia