The inaugural U.S.-Philippines Space Dialogue, a platform designed to strengthen cooperation and advance bilateral exchanges in civil space matters, was held on May 2, 2024. This initiative represents an expansion of U.S.-Philippines cooperation into outer space, including the use of space-based Earth observation satellite data for a wide variety of socio-economic applications.
In their welcome and keynote messages, Jennifer R. Littlejohn, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs; Chirag Parikh, Executive Secretary of the National Space Council; and Joel Joseph Marciano Jr., Director General of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) expressed their confidence that this dialogue will deepen space cooperation for the benefit of both countries.
The U.S. delegation was led by Rahima Kandahari, Deputy Assistant Secretary, State Department Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. The Philippine delegation was led by Gay Jane Perez, Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology of PhilSA.
Both sides agreed that Earth observation is a priority area for bilateral cooperation. They discussed a range of programs that use satellites to better forecast weather patterns; support agricultural and infrastructure planning; help monitor and combat climate change and pollution; prepare for disasters; improve natural resource use; and provide vital telecommunications services.
They also agreed to consider hosting a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat ground station in the Philippines. The Philippines expressed interest in expanding cooperation through programs such as the joint USAID-NASA SERVIR program.
The delegations recognized potential for expanded cooperation on maritime domain awareness through programs like the U.S. Department of Transportation-led SeaVision program. Such initiatives can help monitor vessels in the Philippines’ territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone, ensure mariner safety at sea, protect the environment, and combat illegal fishing.
Efforts to expand satellite-enabled broadband Internet services to remote areas of the Philippines were also highlighted, including a PhilSA initiative in cooperation with USAID BEACON, leveraging U.S. commercial low-earth orbit communication satellites.
Both countries reviewed joint efforts to promote the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. This includes work in the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) and other UN bodies, and in regional forums such as ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF). The Philippines expressed that it is considering signing on to the Artemis Accords, which establish guidelines to ensure safety and responsible behavior in outer space as countries explore the Moon and beyond.
The two countries agreed to stay in close communication on expanding commercial space ties and space situational awareness (SSA), as U.S. responsibilities for civil and commercial SSA shift from the Department of Defense to Department of Commerce. Both sides recognized the importance of addressing space debris.
Both countries agreed to work together to expand bilateral exchange and training programs on the use of Earth observation satellite data, development of space applications and technologies, and other space science skills. They highlighted the launch of Fulbright-PhilSA space science scholarships, agreeing to enhance exchanges under that agreement. Collaborative education and capacity building efforts through PhilSA’s Advanced Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D and Applications (AD ASTRA) scholarship program, NASA’s DEVELOP program, and U.S. State Department exchange programs were also discussed.
Both countries agreed to continue working together in these areas and explore further collaboration such as space industry sector development at future U.S.-Philippines Space Dialogues.
