PH becomes first Southeast Asian country to host international space forum

The Manila Times

PH becomes first Southeast Asian country to host international space forum  Gabriella Arrigo, president of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), tells The Manila Times on Dec. 4, 2025  that the Philippines secured the bid to host the seventh International Space Forum after a 'friendly competition' among Southeast Asian nations. Meanwhile, Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) Officer-in-charge Dr. Gay Jane Perez said that the hosting also came at 'a very timely opportunity,'  with the agency marking its sixth year. She noted that the Philippines’ active participation in ASEAN’s sub-committee on Space Technology and Applications and its chairmanship of ASEAN next year helped build momentum for the country’s hosting. The Philippine is the first country in Southeast Asia to host the forum.  VIDEO BY ALLEN LIMOS  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe Visit our website at [https://www.manilatimes.net](https://www.manilatimes.net/)  Follow us: Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion  Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital  Check out our Podcasts: Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcher Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein  #TheManilaTimes #TMTNews #SEA #Philippines

Transcript

00:00Do you want to start first?

00:02Oh, just an introduction, yes.

00:04Thank you for your question.

00:05So, good morning, everybody.

00:07So, why Philippines?

00:09Indeed, the International Space Forum is a unique space platform for dialogue,

00:18but a regional dialogue to promote space technology and related applications and services.

00:29And so, this initiative was created in 2016 jointly by International Astronautical Federation and the Italian Space Agency.

00:42And we organized seven editions of the forum in different regions of the world.

00:53And this year in Manila, Philippines. Why?

00:57Because, indeed, IF had several relations and contact with South Asia countries.

01:10And we discussed with other countries of the region in the last two years.

01:16But last year, and this year in particular, the Philippines Space Agency offered us the hospitality of the forum.

01:28So, we had a sort of friendly competition.

01:33And so, again, IF accepted the candidacy of the Philippines Space Agency.

01:41And, okay, now we are here together and we are very happy.

01:45And we thank the Philippines Space Agency and you today.

01:51Please.

01:53Just to add to what Gabriella said, the Philippines Space Agency became a member of the International Astronautical Federation last year only.

02:02And then, when we learned about this opportunity through our Embassy first.

02:20exhibition, the Moon to Mars exhibit, which we did earlier this year.

02:25So this sorts of build into this, or lead to where we are now.

02:30We learned about the opportunity to host the International Space Forum.

02:34We raised our hand. We said, yes, we want to do it.

02:38Why? Because this is a very timely opportunity for us.

02:43The Philippines Space Agency is celebrating six years, so we are very young.

02:49But we are given the opportunity to have this voice in the region,

02:56to share what we are doing here at the Philippines for our space programs.

03:02So this platform will amplify that voice.

03:06We are also active in the ASEAN through our Subcommittee on Space Technology Applications.

03:13And as Gabriella said, we are all friends among the ASEAN member states.

03:19The space agencies, space offices, and organizations with space activities among ASEAN member states have a tight community.

03:29We are like family.

03:31So when given this opportunity to host this meeting, we are confident that we will get the support of the ASEAN member states.

03:39And we are ready.

03:41We are also hosting, as you know, we are chairing ASEAN next year.

03:46So having this international space forum here now will help build the momentum for next year's chairship of the Tuning Peace.

03:58And I'll see you soon.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended