The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) convened the Southeast Asian Space Leaders’ Forum on Nov. 19, 2025, in Cebu, Philippines, to foster regional collaboration in space science and technology applications.
Southeast Asian Space Leaders Convene in the Philippines
The Forum was held alongside the 31st Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-31), which took place from Nov. 18 to 21, 2025. PhilSA co-organized the event with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The Southeast Asian Space Leaders’ Forum provided a platform for leaders to discuss emerging trends, challenges, and future directions in space science and technology applications (SSTA). Participating countries were able to showcase their national space activities and explore ways to strengthen regional and international cooperation in SSTA.
Discussions centered on three key areas: Space Safety, Security, and Governance; Space Economy; and Space Workforce. Space Safety, Security, and Governance focused on sustainable space activities, space debris mitigation, space situational awareness, and international collaboration. The Space Economy discussions examined global trends, policy environments, and public–private partnerships for leveraging space science and technology for economic growth. The Space Workforce discussions highlighted the importance of investing in education, skills development, and youth engagement to build a resilient space sector.
Speakers at the Forum represented the Secure World Foundation, the Australasian Centre for Space Governance, the Australian Space Agency (ASA), Azerbaijan Space Agency (Azercosmos), and SpaceBased Limited. Representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Timor-Leste, Thailand, and Vietnam also participated.
Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez, Officer-in-Charge of PhilSA, welcomed participants and emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to regional space cooperation. Dr. Leah J. Buendia, Undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology and the Philippines’ National Chair to the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI), also delivered a message.
Key takeaways from the Forum emphasized the importance of regional and global cooperation in addressing emerging challenges. Discussions highlighted that space activities are integral to human progress and that innovation and resilience are crucial for developing the space economy. Participants also stressed the importance of strong public–private partnerships to democratize access to space and the foundational role of space literacy and education in developing a skilled workforce.
The Forum concluded with remarks from Dr. Tran Tuan Ngoc of Vietnam, Chair of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Space Technology and Applications (SCOSA), who emphasized the need for collective regional action to ensure Southeast Asia’s success in space endeavors.
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