PhilSA Director General Dr. Joel Joseph Marciano, DFA Assistant Secretary Igor G. Bailen, Professor Steven Freeland from Western Sydney University, Philippine Embassy in Singapore Consul Joyleen E. Santos, Mr. Rocell Nino B. Vicente from PhilSA and Third Secretary to the Philippine Mission in the ASEAN Atty. Melissa Anne M. Telan. (DFA-OTLA photo)
PARAÑAQUE CITY, (PIA) -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) jointly held a virtual launch today for the first ever publication in the Philippines on the national space agenda, entitled “International Space Cooperation and the Philippines: A Compendium of Speeches and Lectures Delivered during the Webinar.”
An offshoot of the webinar, also jointly conducted by the DFA and PhilSA on 02 October last year, the electronic publication features the speeches and lectures of acknowledged experts on international space law, including Director Simonetta di Pippo and Mr. Niklas Hedman from the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs; Professor Kazuo Suzuki from Tokyo University; Professor David Koplow from Georgetown University; Professor Steven Freeland from Western Sydney University; and Professor Guoyo Wang from the Beijing Institute of Technology. Experts from the DFA and the PhilSA also gave a preview of the country’s efforts in space law and diplomacy.
PhiSA Director General Dr. Joel Joseph Marciano emphasized the importance of outer space technologies in national development. Created in 2019, PhilSA began its operations by entering into international agreements concentrated on capacity-building, including exchange programs with foreign universities to enable Filipino scientists to gain technical know-how on satellite building, among others.
Spearheaded by the DFA Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs Assistant Secretary Igor Bailen, the webinar and the e-book are just a few of the DFA’s contribution to PhilSA’s efforts to push forward the national space agenda, including the country’s impending accession to five UN treaties on outer space and other bilateral agreements with Philippines’ strategic partners.
Assistant Secretary Bailen also said that the e-book will serve as an important resource material for a critical mass of policymakers, scientists, educators, lawyers, students, and space enthusiasts alike.
The e-book Compendium may be downloaded for free at the DFA microsite https://sites.google.com/dfa.gov.ph/virtual-launch-space-book/e-book-and-recording. (PIA-NCR)
