PH accedes to UN convention on registration of space objects

The UN Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space or simply the Registration Convention contributes to the promotion, exploration, and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. (Pexels photo)

MANILA – The Philippines government has deposited the instrument of accession to the United Nations (UN) Registration Convention, a treaty that calls for the registration of all objects launched into outer space.

Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN in New York Antonio Lagdameo handed over the instrument to UN Office of Legal Affairs Treaty Section chief David Nanopoulos on May 14 (New York time).

The UN Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space or simply the Registration Convention contributes to the promotion, exploration, and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

In depositing the document, the Philippine Mission in the UN recognized the need to establish and maintain a public register to reduce the possibility of having unidentified objects in space.

The convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1974 and requires the registration of objects launched into earth orbit or outer space by an appropriate national space agency.

Under this, information concerning the space object, including the date and location of launch, basic orbital parameters, and its general function must be communicated to the UN Secretary-General as soon as practicable.

Manila’s accession comes as it bolsters its exchanges on space development through the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA).

In a statement Wednesday, Lagdameo highlighted PhilSA’s role as the primary agency addressing all national issues and activities related to space science and technology (S&T).

“We support PhilSA, the central government agency addressing all national issues and activities related to space S&T applications, in advancing the Philippine strategic roadmap for space development, particularly in international cooperation,” he said.

Earlier this month, the Philippine government held its inaugural Space Dialogue with the United States and agreed to explore ways to expand collaboration, including on space industry sector development.