UNOOSA Director Visits University of the Philippines, Highlights STEM and Space Law

University of the Philippines (UP) hosted a dinner reception on March 13, 2026, for Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). The event, held at the Executive House, UP Diliman, was led by UP President Angelo Jimenez and attended by officials from both UP and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).

UP’s Contributions to the Philippine Space Sector

During the reception, President Jimenez emphasized UP’s significant role in the development of the Philippines’ space program. He specifically highlighted the university’s involvement in the Philippine Scientific Earth Observation Microsatellite program, which successfully launched the Diwata-1 and Diwata-2 microsatellites – the first satellites designed and built by Filipinos.

UNOOSA Director Emphasizes STEM Education and Space Law

In her keynote address, Holla-Maini underscored the crucial role of universities in promoting access to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and disseminating knowledge related to space law. She stated, “And when these organizations, be they companies, be they space agencies, have the backing and the benefit of the infrastructure and the political support that a university and an academic institution brings, that really sets them on a path to success.”

Space Law Lecture at UP College of Law

Prior to the dinner reception, on March 11, 2026, Rosanna Hoffman, UNOOSA Legal and Programme Officer for Space Law, delivered a lecture at the UP College of Law. The lecture, titled “Space Law Today: Treaties, Obligations, and Legal Challenges in the Contemporary International Order,” focused on existing international laws governing space activities and their legal implications.

UNOOSA’s Mission and Partnerships

UNOOSA, established in 1958, is dedicated to fostering international cooperation in the peaceful exploration and utilization of outer space. According to Holla-Maini, the organization works with UN member states to establish legal and regulatory frameworks for space activities and collaborates with institutions to build satellite infrastructure, particularly in developing countries. UNOOSA aims to promote international cooperation in the peaceful utilize and exploration of space.

Attendees at the dinner reception included UP Vice President for Research and Innovation Joel Joseph Marciano, and PhilSA Ad Interim Director General Gay Jane Perez, alongside Holla-Maini, and Hoffman.