The annual forum, the largest of its kind in the region, focused on how space technologies can strengthen connectivity, bolster disaster management and support climate resilience across the Asia-Pacific.
Enrico Palermo, head of the Australian Space Agency, said APRSAF continues to prove its value as the region’s premier platform for collaboration.
“For over three decades, APRSAF has fostered cooperation across government, industry and academia,” he said. “Australia is dedicated to working with our regional and ASEAN partners to unlock the potential of space technologies, driving resilience, innovation and shared prosperity across the Asia-Pacific.”
He added that the agency remains committed to demonstrating how space capabilities can improve lives across the region.
Australia’s delegation was led by Palermo, who joined plenary sessions alongside leaders of major space agencies and senior officials. Representatives from Geoscience Australia and CSIRO were also part of the delegation, with both organisations alongside the Bureau of Meteorology set to chair the Forum’s next Committee on Earth Observation Satellites.
During the APRSAF Leaders’ Roundtable, Palermo emphasised equitable access to satellite data and Australia’s support for capacity-building in Pacific Island countries to strengthen disaster resilience.
Australia also took part in the first Southeast Asian Space Leaders’ Forum, held on the sidelines of APRSAF, highlighting Canberra’s intent to deepen cooperation with ASEAN partners and expand commercial collaboration between regional space industries.
The forum took place against the backdrop of rapidly advancing space capabilities across the Asia-Pacific, with national satellite programs and privately driven innovation reshaping the regional landscape over the past three decades.
Australia said it aims to empower neighbouring countries by promoting responsible space practices, sharing expertise and strengthening partnerships, building on its role as co-host of APRSAF-30 in Perth last year alongside Japan’s JAXA and the Western Australian government.
That event drew more than 700 delegates and included major side events such as the Indo-Pacific Space and Earth Conference and the Andy Thomas Space Education Forum.
At this year’s gathering, Australian officials contributed to multiple working group discussions, including outlining Australia’s regulatory framework to the Space Policy and Law Working Group as part of broader talks on harmonising licensing standards across the region.
Other engagements in the Philippines included:
- Bilateral meetings with partner space agencies.
- Progressing cooperation on JAXA’s Martian Moons Exploration mission and exploring opportunities linked to Japan’s 9.8 billion yen Space Strategy Fund.
- Supporting a new collaboration agreement between the University of Southern Queensland and the Philippine Space Agency.
APRSAF-31 concluded with a keynote address by Philippine President Bongbong Marcos Jr, who urged the region to scale up space-enabled solutions for climate resilience and sustainable development, stressing that “space must serve the people”.