UAE Space Agency signs MoU with Philippine Space Agency

Ibadan, 6 December 2022. – The UAE Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Philippine Space Agency (PhiSA) to enhance cooperation in scientific research, space exploration and knowledge exchange to serve common interests and promote international partnerships supporting science and knowledge exchange in the outer space industry, according to the Emirates News Agency. This partnership is part of the UAE Space Agency’s goals to strengthen cooperation with international partners in space science and the peaceful exploration of outer space.

The parties signed the MoU on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Space Debate by Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi, Director General of the Space Agency, and Joel Joseph S. Marciano Jr., Director General of the Philippine Space Agency, in the presence of several representatives from both sides. The MoU intends to accelerate the development of space technologies and sciences in the UAE and contribute to providing research and explorations that serve humanity. Furthermore, it aims to strengthen and develop areas of cooperation between the two agencies, per the relevant laws and regulations and the national policies in both countries, based on the principle of mutual benefits.

As a result of the agreement, both agencies will strengthen bilateral cooperation in priority space fields, including exploration, scientific and technological research, aerospace, education, and others. Furthermore, it allows the two parties to conduct joint research and development in space, to serve common interests and accelerate the growth of the space sector, related sciences, technologies and applications.

The MoU also enables the exchange of spatial data to support shared interests, such as climate change, disaster management, emergency response, food security and agriculture. This will strengthen the two agencies’ contribution to the environmental sustainability process. The agencies will also participate in scientific missions aimed at space exploration and access to relevant data and hold joint conferences, workshops and knowledge-sharing activities on space science and technology applications. The UAE Space Agency and the Philippine Space Agency will collaborate to support space education through student and graduate exchange programs.