Philippines Strengthens National Space Laws with Support of Japan and UNOOSA

Ambassador Bernas underscores Philippines’ progress in developing space policies in a panel of speakers from Japan, UNOOSA, and Thailand during the Kick-off Ceremony for the “Space Law for New Space Actors” project on 24 May 2024 at the Vienna International Center.

VIENNA 29 May 2024 – The Philippine Space Agency will host a Technical Advisory Mission with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) in November 2024. This was announced by Philippine Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evangelina A. Bernas during the Kick-off Ceremony for the 2024-2025  “Space Law for New Space Actors” project for Asia-Pacific countries held on 24 May 2024 at the Vienna International Center, where she reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to developing its national space law and policies as a responsible collaborative member of the global space community.

In her remarks, Ambassador Bernas acknowledged the generous support of Japan for the Space Law for New Space Actors Program, and UNOOSA’s role in boosting the country’s capacity to develop its space law and policies.

The Philippines also announced a new milestone in its efforts to support and uphold international standards for outer space activities. On 14 May 2024, the Philippine Permanent Representative in New York, Ambassador Antonio Lagdameo, deposited the country’s instrument of accession to the United Nations Registration Convention of Objects Launched into Outer Space. “The Philippines is committed to contributing to the responsible and sustainable progress of outer space activities, and to achieving the goal of inclusive development for its region,” Ambassador Bernas added.

The event was co-hosted by UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini and Ambassador Atsushi Kaifu of the Permanent Mission of Japan. The “Space Law for New Space Actors” project offers UN Member States tailored capacity-building to draft, revise, and implement national space legislation and policies in line with international space law, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The project was last implemented in the Philippines in 2022. END

Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evangelina A. Bernas was one of the speakers at the “Space Law for New Space Actors” kick-off event on 24 May 2024 at the Vienna International (center). From left to right: Malaysian Ambassador Ikram Bin Mohammad Ibrahim, Japanese Ambassador Kaifu Atsushi, UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla Maini, Thai Minister Counsellor Champoonut Chompookan, and Vietnamese Ambassador Trung Kien Nguyen.

For more information, visit https://www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.at or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAustria, or https://www.instagram.com/phinaustria/.