The Philippines and United Arab Emirates (UAE) are taking "another step closer" in establishing cooperation that will make use of space technology in various purposes such as food security and disaster mitigations.
Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) Director General Joel Joseph S. Marciano Jr. and UAE Space Agency Director General Salem Butti Salem Al Qubaisi had their first face-to-face meeting on Oct. 27, to discuss bilateral space cooperation.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 72nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC) held in Dubai, which further solidifies the initial commitment made by both countries to work together. It came after their initial remote talks on Aug. 19, 2021.
“This meeting takes the Philippines and the UAE another step closer towards deeper engagement in space cooperation,” Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Hjayceelyn M. Quintana said.
Quintana disclosed that during the bilateral meeting, PhilSA and UAESA pledged to work towards the signing of a memorandum of understanding that will focus on applications of space technology in ensuring food security, mitigating natural disasters, among others. It is also aimed at inspiring Filipino and Emirati youth to aspire for careers in science and technology.
The PhilSA delegation was also in Dubai to participate in the Space Week at the Expo 2020 Dubai where Marciano was one of the panel speakers.
Marciano was also the featured speaker at the first Embassy Bangkóta Apex Speaker Series inaugurated on Oct. 29 at the Philippine Pavilion at the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.
During the two town hall forums, the director general provided an overview of the PhilSA and the many different applications of space technology in everyday life. The audience got a chance to see a miniature replica of micro-satellite Maya-1 which was put on display at the top of the Bangkóta Pavilion.