Joint Statement of the
32nd Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Meeting

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Supporting the Nagoya Vision through Regional Cooperation and Space Innovation

The 32nd Session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-32) was held in Bangkok, Thailand, under the leadership of GISTDA (Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency of Thailand), MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan) and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency). Participants from governments, space agencies, international organizations, academia, industry, and educational institutions gathered to strengthen regional cooperation and advance the shared goals of the Asia-Pacific space community.

Guided by the revised Nagoya Vision, adopted at APRSAF-30 in Perth in November 2024, APRSAF-32 reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the sustainable use of space, addressing environmental and societal challenges through space applications, strengthening regional capabilities, fostering private-sector growth, and expanding opportunities in exploration and emerging technologies.

Under the theme “Bridging the Asia-Pacific: Advancing a Trusted and Inclusive Space Future,” APRSAF-32 emphasized the imperative of deepening ties, enhancing open dialogue, and expanding access across the region’s growing space ecosystem. Delegates highlighted that establishing transparent governance, trusted partnerships, and secure infrastructure are essential to ensuring that space technologies deliver equitable benefits to all nations. By bridging disparities in regional capabilities and promoting inclusive participation across public, private, and academic sectors, the forum charted a collaborative path toward a resilient and integrated space ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific region.

1. Promoting Space-Enabled Solutions for Environmental and Social Challenges

APRSAF reaffirmed the importance of utilizing integrated space technologies, including Earth observation, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and in-situ data, to support disaster risk reduction, climate change mitigation and adaptation, food security, environmental monitoring, and sustainable development throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The Satellite Applications for Societal Benefit Working Group (SAWG) reported progress in Sentinel Asia, which has grown into a trusted regional disaster management cooperation framework comprising 130 participating organizations. Participants recognized the continuing value of satellite observations, geospatial information, and regional information-sharing mechanisms in enhancing disaster preparedness, emergency response, recovery, and resilience. The forum also acknowledged the significance of the 20th anniversary of Sentinel Asia.

Under the SAFE (Space Applications for Environment) initiative, progress was reported on the Rice Monitoring Project and the CH4Rice Project (Assessment of Methane Emission from Rice Paddies and Water Management). Participants welcomed advances in the use of Earth observation data to support agricultural statistics, digital measurement, reporting and verification (dMRV) of methane emission from paddy fields. In particular, the CH4Rice Project reported significant progress, including publication of findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals, as well as advances in methane emission assessment, climate action, and evidence-based policy development. APRSAF encouraged broader dissemination and practical application of project outcomes to support regional food security, sustainable agriculture and climate commitments.

In the area of GNSS, APRSAF noted ongoing activities under Multi-GNSS Asia (MGA) and emphasized the growing importance of integrating positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services with Earth observation data to address regional socioeconomic challenges, and noted the necessity of strengthening the reliability and resiliency of PNT services. SAWG also initiated discussions on a new GNSS-related initiative aimed at jointly monitoring and addressing threats to PNT services, including jamming and spoofing.

Recognizing that sustainable use of outer space is fundamental to all on-going and future space activities, APRSAF welcomed the launch of the Space Sustainability Working Group (SSWG). Participants exchanged views on developments within UN COPUOS, space debris mitigation, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), and responsible space operations. APRSAF reaffirmed its commitment to contributing to the long-term sustainability of space activities through regional dialogue and international cooperation.

2. Enhancing Human Resources and Space Science and Technology Capabilities

APRSAF confirmed that human resource development remains a cornerstone for sustainable growth of the regional space sector. Participants shared the view that building foundation in education, training, and knowledge exchange is essential for developing future leaders, researchers, engineers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.
The Space Education for All Working Group (SE4AWG) provided a valuable platform for the exchange of experiences and best practices in space education across primary, secondary, and higher education. The Space Education Regional Congress offered a regional perspective on the development of space education, highlighting national approaches, activities, achievements, and common challenges across the Asia-Pacific region. Participants emphasized the importance of project-based learning, digital talent development, youth engagement, diversity and inclusion, and international cooperation in developing the next generation of space professionals. APRSAF welcomed the continued expansion of activities such as the APRSAF Poster Contest, which recorded the highest number of participants ever in the national-level competitions, and the APRSAF CanSat Competition, which was held in Thailand in late October 2026.

APRSAF also welcomed the establishment of the Space Talent Co-creation Working Group (STCWG), which aims to strengthen collaboration and co-creation among governments, universities, research institutions, and industry. Participants recognized the value of international talent networks and practical capacity-building initiatives that enable participants to develop collaborative solutions to societal challenges through the use of space data and emerging technologies.

Furthermore, APRSAF acknowledged the continued success of Kibo-Asian Beneficial Collaboration through “Kibo” Utilization (Kibo-ABC) initiative’s activities aboard the International Space Station (ISS), including the Kibo Robot Programming Challenge (Kibo-RPC), Asian Try Zero-G (ATZG), and other educational initiatives that provide hands-on opportunities for students and young professionals throughout the region.

3. Promoting the Growth of the Private Space Sector

APRSAF reaffirmed the increasing importance of industry participation in achieving sustainable growth of the regional space economy. Participants recognized that stronger cooperation among industry, government, academia, and international organizations is essential to unlocking economic opportunities and accelerating innovation.

Space Industry Connect (SIC) provided a dedicated platform for business matching, networking, and partnership development. Participants welcomed opportunities for engagement and exchange among established companies, startups, investors, public institutions, and international stakeholders. APRSAF encouraged continued efforts to strengthen regional industrial ecosystems and promote private-sector-led space activities that contribute to socioeconomic development.

APRSAF also noted growing opportunities for commercial utilization of space infrastructure, including the Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” aboard the International Space Station, small satellite deployment services, and emerging space economy initiatives across the region.

4. Expanding Space Frontiers and New Areas of Exploration

APRSAF reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation in space exploration, such as future lunar and Mars exploration, space science, and advanced technologies as drivers of innovation, inspiration, and long-term development.

The Space Frontier Working Group (SFWG) reported ongoing achievements in the utilization of the ISS Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” and discussed future opportunities beyond the International Space Station era. With partial participation from representatives of the Moon Village Association, participants exchanged views on future lunar and Mars exploration, including space food production, habitat biology and human habitation technologies, shared space research infrastructure, and international collaboration frameworks. SFWG also discussed ways to strengthen the space economy and foster a vibrant space startup ecosystem in preparation for the forthcoming commercial low Earth orbit destination era.

APRSAF also welcomed discussions held within the Space Policy and Law Working Group (SPLWG), including the fourth phase of the National Space Legislation Initiative (NSLI), the Inter-Regional Space Policy Dialogue between the Asia-Pacific and Europe, and the special session on Planetary Defense which was organized for the first time as part of APRSAF. Participants recognized the importance of strengthening legal, policy, and governance frameworks to support safe, secure, and sustainable space activities. APRSAF welcomed newly planned collaboration between NSLI and the Global Space Law Project undertaken by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and endorsed the extension of NSLI for an additional year until APRSAF-34 in 2028.

Particular attention was given to international developments in space exploration, including opportunities for broader regional participation in future exploration such as the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission led by JAXA, as well as growing cooperation related to planetary defense and asteroid awareness activities leading toward 2029.

5. Conclusion

APRSAF-32 reaffirmed that regional cooperation remains essential to achieving the objectives of the revised Nagoya Vision and looked forward to continuing discussions of the next annual meeting, APRSAF-33, scheduled to be held in Fukuoka, Japan, from 23 to 26 November 2027. Guided by the overarching theme of “Bridging the Asia-Pacific: Advancing a Trusted and Inclusive Space Future,” participants expressed their shared intent to build transparent, reliable partnerships and broaden equitable access to space capabilities across all members. By advancing practical collaboration in space applications, human resource development, industry growth, sustainability, exploration, and policy development, the forum underscored that trusted governance frameworks and inclusive regional participation are vital to unlocking the full potential of space for the entire Asia-Pacific. APRSAF further affirmed its determination to continue serving as a bridge between diverse stakeholders such as governments, industry, academia, international organizations, and future generations, across the region.