The United States and the Philippines held their first-ever Space Dialogue in Washington D.C. on 02 May 2024, laying the groundwork for expanded cooperation in space exploration and technology.
This inaugural dialogue comes after a call for closer collaboration in a joint leaders’ statement last year. Both countries see this as a significant step forward, aiming to strengthen ties and advance civil space programs.
A key focus of the dialogue was Earth observation, using satellite data for various applications. Discussions included weather forecasting, agricultural planning, disaster response, and environmental monitoring. The possibility of hosting a U.S. Geological Survey Landsat ground station in the Philippines was also explored.
The dialogue also addressed maritime domain awareness, with programs like the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SeaVision holding promise for monitoring Philippine waters and combating illegal fishing. Expanding access to broadband internet in remote areas through PhilSA initiatives with USAID BEACON was another highlight.
Looking towards the future, both countries emphasized the importance of sustainable space exploration. The Philippines is considering signing the Artemis Accords, which promote responsible practices in space travel. In addition, collaboration on space debris mitigation and commercial space ventures was discussed.
Education and training programs also received significant attention. The two countries agreed to build upon existing programs like the Fulbright-PhilSA space science scholarships and explore further initiatives like PhilSA’s AD ASTRA program and NASA’s DEVELOP.
The dialogue concluded with a commitment to continued collaboration. Areas like space industry development were identified for exploration at the next U.S.-Philippines Space Dialogue, which will be held in the Philippines at a later date.
This inaugural Space Dialogue signifies a new chapter in U.S.-Philippine relations, with both countries poised to work together and reach for the stars.