Singapore - Singapore is hosting the 67th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST-67) from 21 to 25 April. Attended by nearly 200 prominent policy makers, scientists and academics, the Meeting, organised by Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) will see senior officials from the 10 member states discussing strategies to strengthen and enhance the capacity of ASEAN in Science & Technology (S&T). Minister (Prime Minister’s Office), Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry, S. Iswaran, will be Guest-of-Honour at the ASEAN COST Opening Ceremony held on 23 April.
The 67th Meeting of the ASEAN COST will focus on reviewing the ASEAN Plan of Action for Science, Technology and Innovation 2015-2020, which will serve as the blueprint and implementation framework for the next phase of ASEAN’s S&T efforts. The eight Subcommittees under the purview of ASEAN COST[1], which met on 21 to 22 April, will also present their progress reports and update separately on areas such as biotechnology, sustainable energy research, microelectronics and information technology, and marine science and technology.
The Meeting will also discuss key areas, including talent mobility initiatives to encourage young talent to take up STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers and the harmonisation of technical standards across ASEAN.
Since it was established in 1978, ASEAN COST has provided platforms for member states to identify common challenges and forge collaborations in research and development (R&D). In recognition of its significant economic role, the ASEAN COST will be placed under the aegis of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council from next year onwards.
“On behalf of Singapore, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all delegates of the 67th COST Meeting. The meeting is an important platform for member states to come together to promote partnerships in science, technology and innovation. A deep commitment to science and technology raises the competitiveness of companies in the region and creates quality jobs,” said Dr. Raj Thampuran, Singapore COST Chairman and Managing Director of A*STAR.
ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) Chairs or Representatives and Mr. S. Iswaran, Minister (Prime Minister’s Office), Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry, Singapore, doing the traditional ASEAN Handshake at the Opening Ceremony of the 67th Meeting of the ASEAN COST.
From left to right:
Dato’ Paduka Awang Haji Suhaimi Haji Gafar
Permanent Secretary (Technical & Professional), Ministry of Development, Brunei Darussalam COST Chair
H.E. Dr. Tung Ciny
Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Industry and Handicraft (MIH), Cambodia COST Chair
Dr. Teguh Rahardjo
Senior Advisor to the Minister on Security and Defense Technology, Indonesia COST Representative
Mr. Malaithong Kommasith
Director of the Department of Planning and Cooperation, Ministry of Science and Technology, Lao PDR COST Representative
Dato’ Dr. Rosli Mohamed
Secretary General, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), ASEAN COST Chair & Malaysia COST Chair
Mr. S. Iswaran
Minister (Prime Minister’s Office), Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry, Singapore; Guest-of-Honour
Mr. Kyaw Zwa Soe
Director General, Department of Advanced Science and Technology –DAST, Ministry of Science and Technology, Myanmar COST Chair
Dr. Amelia P. Guevara
Undersecretary for Research and Development, Department of Science and Technology, The Philippines COST Chair
Dr. Raj Thampuran
Managing Director, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore COST Chair
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Weerapong Pairsuwan
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Thailand COST Chair
Dr. Tran Quoc Khanh
Vice-Minister, Science and Technology, Vietnam COST Chair
Dr. Alexander A. Lim
Head, Science and Technology Division, Cross-Sectoral Cooperation Directorate, ASEAN Secretariat
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For media queries and clarifications, please contact:
Tang Xin Ning
Senior Officer, Corporate Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
Tel: +65 6826 6452
Email: tang_xin_ning@a-star.edu.sg