In the Conference, the representatives focused on dialogues about issues in order to strengthen more cooperation on science, technology and innovation in ASEAN region, move toward the establishment of ASEAN Common Community and vision after 2015.
The participants also discussed about formalities and contents to develop ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation for the 2016- 2025 period (APASTI), including review of restructuring COST, promoting strategic tasks appropriate with orientation objectives and vision of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) after 2015.
Currently, ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology has been in the process of urgently completing the draft APASTI and Implementation plan, so that it can be approved in the Conference of 70th ASEAN COST and 16th ASEAN Ministerial Conference on S&T (expected in November 2015 in Vientiane, Laos).
At the Opening ceremony, Thailand’s Minister of Science and Technology, representative for the hosting country affirmed Thailand’s commitment to continue with ASEAN member countries and partner countries to contribute into ASEAN mutual-benefited projects. Currently, Indonesia has taken the role of rotating President of ASEAN COST 2014-2015.
In the discussions, Viet Nam actively contributed its comments on the draft APASTI. Viet Nam also prepared a report on ASEAN-EU cooperative relationships (Viet Nam is a member country of ASEAN COST, which monitors cooperative and dialoguing relationships with EU), presented the introduction and invited ASEAN member countries and dialoguing partners to attend International Techmart 2015, expected from October 01 to 04, 2015 in Ha Noi.
Before, the meetings were organized before the Conference of COST-68 as follows (i) ASEAN Special Meeting on the draft APASTI; (ii) 25th Meeting of Advisory Board on ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology (ABAPAST - 25); (iii) 22nd meeting of Advisory Board of ASEAN Science and Fund (ABASF - 25); (iv) 3rd Workshop on ASEAN Talent Movement (ATM-3); (v) Meetings of Sub-committees under ASEAN COST including the Sub-committee on S&T Infrastructure and Resources Development (SCIRD), Sub-committee on Space Technology and Application (SCOSA), Sub-committee on Information Technology (SCMIT), Sub-committee on Food Science and Technology (SCFST), Sub-committee on Meteorology and Geophysics (SCMG), Sub-committee on Materials Science and Technology (SCMST), Sub-committee on Marine Science and Application Technology (SCMSAT), Sub-committee on Biology (SCB).
It can be said, through ASEAN COST cooperation mechanism, Viet Nam has strengthened cooperative relationship on science, technology and innovation with ASEAN country members and other dialoging partners as Japan, Korea, EU, India, the US, Russia, ASEAN+3 (China, Korea, Japan)...at the same time, it has also promoted cooperation inside ASEAN. Consequently, these have contributed important part in promoting exchange, linkages of Viet Nam’s scientific community with those of ASEAN country members and dialoguing partners, trained staff, strengthened S&T potentials and contributed to promote Viet Nam’s international integration into the region and the world.