The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed early this month an agreement for space cooperation.
In its announcement of the signed accord, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said the country will collaborate with the UAE Space Agency (UAESA) on space research and development; space data mobilization for disaster management, emergencies, food security, and agriculture, among others.
A memorandum of understanding between the two agencies was signed last December 5 on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Space Debate.
“It is a pioneering agreement involving our countries and ushers Philippines and UAE relations to a new and exciting frontier,” PhilSA Director General Joel Marciano said in a statement.
He added that the UAE, now being at the forefront of historic groundbreaking space missions, inspired PhilSA in its efforts to bring space capabilities to the fore in addressing present and future sustainability challenges.
Capacity-building, people-to-people exchange, and space industry-building are some of the things in the pipeline under the signed agreement.
Other activities in line with the cooperation are scientific missions on space exploration and access to relevant data; joint conferences, workshop, and knowledge-sharing activities on space science and technology applications; advancement of space education through student exchange programs and graduate studies; utilization of ground infrastructures and stations; and, promotion of space industry and industrial cooperation.
PhilSA said stronger ties between the two agencies and maximized opportunities are expected from the agreement and partnership.
