PH Attends Meetings on Space Exploration, Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in Vienna
Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Galvez of the Department of Science and Technology’s Legal and Financial Affairs Division delivers the national statement during the UNISPACE +50 High Level Segment, on 21 June 2018 at the Vienna International Center. (Vienna PE photo)
VIENNA 20 July 2018 — The Philippine Government participated for the first time at the 50th Anniversary Commemoration and High Level Segment (HLS) of the United Nations Conference on Space Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE+50), back-to-back with the 61st Session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), on 20-29 June 2018 at the Vienna International Center.
The Philippine Mission to the United Nations in Vienna, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the National Security Council (NSC) participated in the UNISPACE+50 HLS and COPUOS session.
The Philippines was represented by Deputy Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna Sulpicio M. Confiado, Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Galvez of Legal and Financial Affairs Division of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and First Secretary Leilani S. Feliciano at the UNISPACE+50 HLS on 20-21 June 2018.
The 61st COPUOS Session was held after the conclusion of the UNISPACE+50 High Level Segment on 21 June, from 22-29 June 2018. The session was chaired by COPUOS Chairman Rosa Maria Ramirez de Arellano of Mexico, assisted by First Vice Chair Thomas Djamaluddin of Indonesia and Second Vice-Chair Keren Shahar of Israel.
The 61st COPUOS Session was attended by COPUOS member states, and observers from various governmental and non-government organizations.
The Philippines was represented by Philippine Mission in Vienna’s First Secretary Leilani S. Feliciano, and NSC Director Maria Victoria Castro and Mr. Deone Seva Dasallas.
The UNISPACE+50 commemoration concluded in Vienna, with a commitment by UN member states to strengthened global cooperation in space and the use of space, and the use of space for sustainable development.
The Committee endorsed on June 20 the UNISPACE+50 Resolution that called for strengthened international cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space and the global governance of outer space activities, and encouraged coordination to ensure that space science, technology and applications serve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Resolution also invited the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to develop, based on the results of the UNISPACE+50 process, a "Space2030" agenda and implementation plan.
It will now be endorsed to the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly, for consideration and adoption on September 2018.
More than 100 UN member states and 30 observers participated in the High Level Segment. Science and Technology Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Galvez delivered the Philippines’ national statement for the UNISPACE+50 HLS.
In the national statement, the Philippines supported the formulation of the “Space 2030” Agenda, as it endeavors to create a vision for space cooperation by strengthening the mandate of the COPUOS as unique platform for international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
Likewise, the Philippines supported the draft resolution on the 50th Anniversary of UNISPACE+50: Space as a Driver for Sustainable Development, which has been negotiated over the course of a few months and finalized on May 2018.
Assistant Secretary Galvez stated that the Philippines is still in its nascent phase in terms of developing its own national space industry and harnessing the peaceful uses of outer space. A national legislation was filed Congress on the proposed Philippine Space Development Policy and Space Agency.
“Creating this legal framework would be a definitive step in the direction of developing the country’s national capabilities on the peaceful uses of outer space and space-derived economic benefits,” Assistant Secretary Galvez said.
The Philippines recognizes the importance of harnessing space science, technology and space applications, which has great scientific, technical, practical and civilian benefits for states such as environmental monitoring, management of natural resources, meteorological forecasting, climate modeling, satellite navigation, communications, and early warning systems to help mitigate potential disasters for disaster risk reduction and management, and the use of space technology for sustainable socio-economic development.
As a COPUOS member state, the Philippines recognizes the significance of the 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and other Celestial Bodies, aimed at the peaceful exploration and exploitation of outer space for the benefit of all countries, and the Declaration on International Cooperation in the Exploitation and Use of Outer Space for the Benefit and Interests of all States.
The Philippines launched its first microsatellite, Diwata 1 into space on 23 March 2016. Diwata is a flagship project of the DOST meant not just to place the Philippines in the map of space innovation, but also to reap its contributions to disaster risk reduction, weather monitoring, agricultural productivity, food security, and even tourism.
The Philippines is now benefiting from accessibility to satellite data and imagery, boosting the capability of PAGASA in making accurate forecasts and weather monitoring. END
For more information, visit www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippine-embassy.at or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinAustria/ @PHLinAustria on Twitter
Members of the official Philippine delegation to the UNISPACE+50 Commemoration/High Level Segment led by (from right to left): Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Nations in Vienna Sulpicio M. Confiado, Science and Technology Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Galvez, and First Secretary Leilani S. Feliciano. (Vienna PE photo)
The High Level Segment also connected to the crew of the International Space Station for a live in-flight call, moderated by Ms. Di Pippo, Mr. Kelly and NASA Chief Scientist Jim Green, during which the crew discussed the value of cooperation in space, technology, engineering and space research. (Vienna PE photo)