PhilSA champions regional collaboration during the Southeast Asian Space Leaders’ Forum

Posted by: Philippine Space Agency
23 December 2025

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) successfully convened the Southeast Asian Space Leaders’ Forum on 19 November 2025 at Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu.

This was held on the sidelines of the 31st Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency forum (APRSAF-31),which took place from 18 to 21 November 2025,and was co-organized by PhilSA,Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan,and the Japan aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

The Forum served as a strategic platform for Southeast Asian space leaders to exchange insights on emerging trends, shared challenges, and future directions in space science and technology applications (SSTA). It also enabled participating countries to showcase thier national space activities and exchange perspectives on strengthening regional and international cooperation in SSTA.

Discussions focused on three priority areas shaping the region’s space future. Space Safety, Security, and Governance emphasized the importance of sustainable space activities, effective space debris mitigation, enhanced space situational awareness, and closer international collaboration.Space Economy examined global trends, enabling policy environments, and the expanding role of public-private partnerships in leveraging space science and technology for economic growth. Space Workforce highlighted the need to invest in education, skills advancement, and youth engagement to build a resilient and future-ready space sector.

The Forum featured insights from distinguished speakers representing the Secure World Foundation, the Australasian Centre for Space Governance, the Australian Space Agency (ASA), Azerbaijan Space Agency (Azercosmos), and SpaceBased Limited, complemented by country representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Thailand, and Vietnam.

PhilSA Hosts Successful Regional workshop on Space Situational Awareness

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) recently hosted a highly productive Regional Workshop on Space Situational Awareness (SSA) from November 28 to December 1, 2023, in Tagaytay City. The workshop brought together representatives from Brunei, Malaysia, myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing in this critical area of space operations.

The workshop aimed to enhance the capabilities of participating countries in monitoring and understanding the space habitat, a vital component for the safe and sustainable use of space. Discussions centered around the challenges and opportunities in SSA, including data sharing, threat assessment, and the development of regional SSA capabilities.

Participants included (L-R): Dk Siti Saihalina binti Pg Hj Ibrahim of Brunei, Ms. Norizan Abdul Patah of Malaysia, Dr. Myo Thant of Myanmar, Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez of PhilSA (Philippines), Ms. Tiana Desker of OSTIn (Singapore),Dir. norizan Abdul Patah of GISTDA (Thailand), Mr. Leonel da Costa Xavier of Timor Leste, and Dr. Tran Tuan Ngoc of Department of National Remote Sensing (Vietnam).

A key highlight of the workshop was a presentation by Ms. Krystal Azelton of the Secure World foundation,who shared valuable insights on the global landscape of SSA and the importance of international cooperation.

The workshop underscores PhilSA’s commitment to regional leadership in space technology and its dedication to building a collaborative space ecosystem in Southeast Asia. The event is expected to pave the way for future joint initiatives and strengthen the region’s collective ability to ensure the safety and security of space assets.

Philippine Space Agency Hosts International Space Governance Forum

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) successfully hosted the International Space Governance Forum on December 9,2025. This event brought together leading experts to discuss the evolving landscape of space activities and the importance of responsible behavior in space. It’s a crucial step for the Philippines as it develops its national space program.

panel 3 speaker: Dr.Cassandra Steer,CEO,Australasian Centre for Space Governance

The forum addressed key challenges,including space debris mitigation,sustainable space exploration,and the responsible use of space resources. Participants explored how international cooperation and national policies can ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities. PhilSA emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to contributing to a safe, secure, and sustainable space environment.

Dr.Cassandra Steer, CEO of the Australasian Centre for Space Governance, was a featured speaker. Her insights on international space law and policy were notably valuable.Other experts from various space agencies and organizations shared their perspectives on the growing commercialization of space and the need for updated regulatory frameworks.

This forum isn’t just a discussion; it’s a vital step in building the Philippines’ capacity in space governance. PhilSA plans to use the insights gained to inform the development of national space policies and regulations. This will help the country participate responsibly and benefit fully from the opportunities space offers. You can find more data about PhilSA’s initiatives on their official website: https://philsa.gov.ph/