The Philippines has formally joined the ranks of nations committed to the peaceful and transparent exploration of outer space with its signing of the Artemis Accords on 27 October 2025, at the sidelines of the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The signing, led by the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), marks a historic step for the country as it strengthens its role in global space governance and underscores its growing presence in international scientific and technological collaboration.
The Artemis Accords, established by the United States and partner nations in 2020, set forth a framework of principles for the responsible exploration and use of celestial bodies such as the Moon, Mars, and beyond. These principles build upon the 1967 Outer Space Treaty — the foundational international agreement governing space activities — and emphasize transparency, sustainability, and cooperation among nations.
By becoming a signatory, the Philippines joins a community of countries dedicated to ensuring that space exploration remains peaceful, inclusive, and beneficial to all humankind. The Accords promote interoperability between spacefaring nations, encourage the sharing of scientific data, and seek to prevent harmful interference in future missions.
PhilSA Officer-in-Charge Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez, who represented the Philippines at the signing ceremony, emphasized the significance of this milestone for the nation’s emerging space sector.
PhilSA noted that the country’s participation in the Artemis Accords aligns with its national space development goals and its adherence to both international agreements and domestic space laws. The move reinforces the Philippines’ vision of using space technologies and research — collectively known as Yamang Kalawakan — to benefit all sectors of society.
This milestone also paves the way for deeper cooperation with global space agencies and private industry players, potentially opening new opportunities for scientific collaboration, technology transfer, and education in space sciences.
The Philippines’ signing of the Artemis Accords will also be highlighted at the 31st Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-31), scheduled to take place in Cebu from 18 to 22 November 2025. The event will bring together regional leaders, scientists, and policymakers to discuss advancements and partnerships in space technology and exploration.
With this development, the Philippines solidifies its standing as an emerging spacefaring nation — one that upholds the values of peace, cooperation, and sustainability in humanity’s collective journey to the stars.