62ND SESSION OF THE LEGAL SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE ON THE PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE (UN COPUOS)
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL STATEMENT
AGENDA ITEM NO. 8 “CAPACITY-BUILDING IN SPACE LAW”
delivered by
ATTY. GIOVANI C. CONCEPCION
CHIEF, SPACE POLICY AND LEGAL AFFAIRS DIVISION
PHILIPPINE SPACE AGENCY (PhilSA)
Thank you, Madam Chair.
The Philippines once again extends its appreciation to you and to the dedicated staff at the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs. Please be assured of the Philippine delegation’s full cooperation and active participation in the 62nd Session of the Legal Subcommittee of the UN COPUOS.
Madam Chair and distinguished delegates, the first capacity-building in space law in the Philippines was conducted by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA). This event brought together over 300 participants from across the globe and featured speakers who discussed the Philippine space agenda, space and technology diplomacy, and the national agenda, the Philippine treaty-making process and international space cooperation.
The webinar featured presentations from domestic experts from both DFA and PhilSA, and international experts from UNOOSA led by former Director Simonetta Di Pippo, and from various universities, to include Australia, Austria, China, Japan, and the United States.
Since then, Madam Chair, the Philippines has undertaken continuous and vigorous efforts in building its capacity with regard to space law and policy. This includes participation in the following initiatives:
National Space Legislation Initiative or NSLI of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), which is an important platform for sharing of information and discussion on national space legislation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) Leadership Development Forum, which provided an opportunity to meet renowned experts from the world and have a dialogue on latest issues, challenges and opportunities for governments, private sector, academia and society related to space.
Asia-Pacific Technical Advisory Mission of the Space Law for New Space Actors Program conducted by UNOOSA with the support of the Government of Japan on 24-26 January 2022.
2021 Space Law Workshop themed “Regional Cooperation Schemes on Space Law and Policy,” organized by the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the China Institute of Space Law.
Madam Chair, the Philippines through PhilSA and its partners also organized activities to enhance its capacity in space law and policy. On 10 October 2022, we conducted a webinar entitled: “Should we worry about Orbital Debris?”. This webinar aimed to bring together experts who can shed light on the issues, challenges, and possible solutions related to orbital debris from both the technical and policy perspectives.
In addition, Madam Chair and distinguished colleagues, we also conducted a Space Law for New Space Actors Technical Advisory Mission to the Philippines in Partnership with UNOOSA on 18-20 October 2022. This activity provided support to the country, particularly in the universalization, adherence and implementation of the normative framework in space, including in key areas such as the Outer Space Treaty, Registration Convention and the UN Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, among others.
Finally, Madam Chair, the Philippines developed a book on the UN treaties on outer space for elementary students. This project will help encourage the next generation to explore, develop, and pursue interest in space science and its allied fields, especially on space law, policy, and diplomacy by introducing these concepts to elementary school Children.
In closing, Madam Chair, we continuously lay down the work in building our space capabilities in the country. The Philippines also intends to contribute to the responsible and sustainable progress of outer space activities, and achieve the goal of inclusive socio-economic development for our people and the region.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
PhilSA Space Policy And Legal Affairs Division Chief, Atty. Giovani C. Concepcion, delivering the Philippine National Statement under Agenda Item No. 8 on the “Capacity-building in Space Law” during the 62nd Session of the Legal Subcommittee of the UN COPUOS.