President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday emphasised the essential position of house science and expertise in strengthening local weather resilience, catastrophe response, and sustainable growth as he addressed the thirty first Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-31) at Shangri-La Mactan in Cebu.
“Space must serve the people,” President Marcos mentioned, urging delegates to share experience, have interaction in significant dialogue, and implement accountable house methods that profit the Asia-Pacific area.
“At the 31st Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum, we are reminded of how deeply space exploration touches and transforms the lives of our people,” the President added.
President Marcos careworn that for over three many years, APRSAF has served as a significant platform for regional collaboration in house, enabling nations to change insights, strengthen partnerships, and advance collective capabilities.
The Chief Executive famous that the Philippines’ second internet hosting of APRSAF, after 2016, displays the nation’s rising position and dedication to regional house growth.
Under the theme, “Empowering the Region through Space Ecosystem in Action,” APRSAF-31 highlights discussions on functionality enhancement, house exploration, and trade growth.
“This is how we translate our shared commitment into action: by expanding space science and technology and ensuring that outer space remains a domain of responsible stewardship,” President Marcos mentioned.
The Chief Executive underlined the significance of the discussion board amid the intensifying local weather disaster, more and more complicated disasters and widening growth gaps.
“These challenges weigh even more heavily on us because of where we stand on the map. Situated along the Pacific typhoon belt and the Pacific Ring of Fire, our country endures an average of 19 to 20 Tropical Cyclones each year as well as an average of 20 recorded earthquakes per day,” the President mentioned.
President Marcos mentioned Asia-Pacific nations are turning to house science to enhance governance, defend the atmosphere, and promote inclusive growth.
The President then expressed gratitude to the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for organizing the occasion.
The President acknowledged PhilSA’s work over the previous six years in selling house science and expertise, together with its position in catastrophe threat mitigation and prevention.
“They regularly generate and distribute satellite data to national and local governments, researchers, and the private sector. These are used to aid disaster risk reduction and management as well as monitor the country’s maritime domain, among others,” President Marcos mentioned.
The President additionally expressed his enthusiasm for the impending completion of the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) satellite tv for pc, which is ready to be the nation’s largest earth statement satellite tv for pc.
President Marcos likewise talked about the unveiling of the Copernicus Data Centre final yr by PhilSA and the European Commission by the National Copernicus Capacity Support Action Programme for the Philippines.
“It is the first Copernicus Earth Observation data storage and processing facility in Asia. Through its pilot services, we bring data into the hands of Filipino experts and decision-makers,” the President mentioned.
The APRSAF-31 is being held in Cebu from November 18 to 21, bringing collectively main specialists, policymakers, and stakeholders in house science and expertise from over 40 nations to debate space-driven options and strengthen regional cooperation.
Established in 1993, APRSAF is the Asia-Pacific’s largest space-related convention, serving as a vital platform to share information, strengthen regional partnerships, and pursue joint house actions that profit communities throughout the area. | PND