Philsa, UAE space agency MOU to bolster PHL space ecosystem
THE Philippine Space Agency (Philsa) is set to work with the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA) on space cooperation in many areas, including on research and development, and space data mobilization for disaster management, emergencies, food security and agriculture, among others.
Philsa Director General Joel Joseph S. Marciano Jr. and UAESA Director General Salem Buti Al Qubaisi signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the purpose in Abu Dhabi, UAE, during the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Space Debate on December 5, said Philsa in a news release.
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Hjayceelyn M. Quintana and UAESA Executive Director Ibrahim Al Qasim witnessed the signing.
“The MOU on space cooperation between Philsa and UAESA promotes joint space research and development, capacitybuilding, people-to-people exchange, and space industry-building,” Marciano said.
The “pioneering agreement” between the countries, ushers the Philippines and UAE relations into a new and exciting frontier, he added.
“The UAE has been at the forefront of groundbreaking and ambitious missions in space. These inspire us in our efforts to unlock the benefits of space and bring space capabilities to the fore in addressing present and future sustainability challenges we face on Earth. As we bring our peoples together in these endeavors, we can build a stronger foundation for our domestic space ecosystems,” Marciano explained.
The MOU seeks to promote various areas of collaboration in space development and applications.
They involve space research, development and access to data; space data utilization for various applications, such as climate change, disaster management, and emergency response, food security, and agriculture.
Another are scientific missions on space exploration and access to relevant data; capacity-building activities, such as joint conferences, workshop, and knowledge sharing activities on space science and technology applications and advancement of space education through student exchange programs and graduate studies.
Another area is the utilization of ground stations and infrastructures; and, promotion of space industry and industrial cooperation.