The Philippines has become the latest country to sign the Artemis Accords with the United States, a landmark agreement establishing common principles for the responsible exploration and use of outer space. Malaysia also joined the accord, bringing the total number of signatories to 59, according to the US State Department.

“The Philippines and Malaysia have committed to principles of safe and transparent space exploration by signing onto the Artemis Accords. The United States is continuing our long tradition of leadership in space exploration,” the State Department said Tuesday on X.

According to NASA, the Artemis Accords reinforce signatories’ adherence to the Outer Space Treaty, the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as global best practices and norms for civil space exploration.

The signing follows the first bilateral space dialogue between the Philippines and the US in Washington in 2024. The two countries discussed collaboration on satellite programs to improve weather forecasting, agricultural and infrastructure planning, climate monitoring, disaster preparedness, natural resource management, and telecommunications services.

Officials also explored the potential establishment of a US Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat ground station in the Philippines.

Expanded cooperation may include maritime domain awareness through the US Department of Transportation-led SeaVision program, which aims to monitor vessels in Philippine territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone, ensure mariner safety, protect the marine environment, and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Both nations also highlighted the importance of addressing space debris and committed to expanding bilateral exchanges and training programs in satellite data use, development of space applications and technologies, and other space science and skills.

The Artemis Accords mark a significant step forward in the Philippines’ participation in international space initiatives and its alignment with global standards for safe and responsible space exploration.