Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations in New York, hands over the Philippines’ Instrument of Accession to the UN Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space to Mr. David Nanopoulos, Chief of the Treaty Section at the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs.  (Photo Credit: New York PM)

 

UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 14 May 2024 — Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, deposited the Philippines’ Instrument of Accession to the United Nations Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space (Registration Convention), at the Treaty Section of the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs on 14 May 2024.

Mr. David Nanopoulos, Chief of the Treaty Section, received the Instrument of Accession on behalf of the UN Secretary General. The Instrument of Accession was signed by President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. on 25 March 2024.

The Registration Convention contributes to the promotion and the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. Establishing and maintaining a public register reduces the possibility of the existence of unidentified space objects.

Under the Registration Convention, a central register of objects launched into outer space is established and maintained, on a mandatory basis, by the United Nations. It also provides for means and procedures to assist in the identification of space objects.

States and international intergovernmental organizations that agree to abide by the Registration Convention are required to establish their own national registries and provide information on their space objects to the Secretary-General for inclusion in the United Nations Register. Responsibility for maintenance of the Register was delegated by the Secretary-General to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).

As required under the Convention, UNOOSA publicly disseminates the information provided as United Nations documents. Based on UN data, to date approximately 88% of all satellites, probes, landers, crewed spacecraft and space station flight elements launched into Earth orbit or beyond have been registered with the Secretary-General.

The Registration Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 12 November 1974 and entered into force on 15 September 1976. With respect to the Philippines, the Convention will enter into force on the date of the deposit of the Instrument of Accession, on 14 May 2024.

Following the deposit, Ambassador Lagdameo said, “The Mission stands ready to support the Philippine Space Agency, the central government agency addressing all national issues and activities related to space S&T applications, in pursuing the country's primary strategic roadmap for space development. “

Accession to the Registration Convention is in line with Philippine state policy, as set out in the Philippine Space Act (Republic Act No. 11363), that the Philippines shall abide by the various international space treaties and principles promulgated by the United Nations and is an active participant in the international space community, including international rules and procedures concerning the Outer Space Treaty and Liability Convention, among others.

Joining Ambassador Lagdameo at the deposit ceremony are First Secretary and Legal Adviser Ms. Azela Arumpac-Marte, and Ms. Zenia Clemente, Adviser, of the Philippine Mission. END.