U.S., Philippines Forge Stronger Space and Maritime Partnerships in Landmark Dialogue

By ROY C. MABASA

The United States and the Philippines have advanced their cooperation in maritime domain awareness through the U.S. Department of Transportation-led SeaVision program, which focuses on monitoring the Philippines’ territorial waters and combating illegal fishing.

This collaboration was a key outcome of today’s inaugural bilateral Space Dialogue in Washington, D.C., following the May 2023 U.S.-Philippines Joint Leaders’ Statement.

The dialogue aims to enhance cooperation and exchanges in civil space matters, including maritime domain awareness and space situational awareness.

Keynote speakers at the event, including 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 confidence that the dialogue would deepen space cooperation.

The U.S. delegation was led by Rahima Kandahari, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the State Department’s Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, while Gay Jane Perez, Deputy Director General for Space Science and Technology of PhilSA, headed the Philippine delegation.

The dialogue prioritized Earth observation, discussing satellite programs for weather forecasting, agricultural and infrastructure planning, climate change monitoring, disaster response, natural resource management, and telecommunications.

The Philippines expressed interest in hosting a U.S. Geological Survey Landsat ground station and expanding cooperation through the USAID-NASA SERVIR program.

Discussions also focused on expanding satellite-enabled broadband to remote areas of the Philippines, leveraging U.S. commercial low-earth orbit communication satellites.

Both sides reviewed efforts to promote the sustainability of outer space activities, including participation in the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and regional forums.

The Philippines is considering signing the Artemis Accords. They agreed to continue communication on commercial space ties and space situational awareness, particularly as responsibilities shift from the Department of Defense to the Department of Commerce.

The dialogue also highlighted joint efforts in education and training programs related to Earth observation, space technologies, and space science, including the launch of Fulbright-PhilSA space science scholarships and the AD ASTRA scholarship program. They agreed to enhance exchanges and explore collaborative education efforts through various programs.

The next U.S.-Philippines Space Dialogue will be held in the Philippines at a future date.