The significance of science, technology and innovation (STI) in addressing regional challenges including the responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) was highlighted by Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) Ir Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof as the National ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI) Chair for Brunei Darussalam during the 84th ASEAN COSTI (COSTI-84) Meeting in Bohol, the Philippines.
He while underlining the progress made in the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI), noted the importance of the ASEAN Science, Technology, and Innovation Fund (ASTIF) and stressed the role of STI in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainability. He also emphasised the commitment to enhancing collaboration in climate and disaster resilience, with a focus on local communities as vital defence lines.
Key highlights of the meeting included: update on the status of the ASTIF; discussion on the report from the advisory board to COSTI (BAC) and the chairmen of the COSTI sub-committees and also the chairmen of the High Performance Computing Task Force; development of APASTI 2026-2035: Phase II, which will focus on the draft APASTI 2026-2035; and the Underwriter’s Laboratories-ASEAN-US Awards Ceremony Science Prize for Women 2023. Brunei submitted two entries for the award but was not selected as a finalist. The winner of the senior scientist category was Thailand and the winner of the mid-career scientist category was the Philippines; launch of Policy Brief: Strengthening ASEAN Women’s Participation in STEM; a progress report on the development of the proposed annual priorities for STI approved during the COSTI-83 Meeting and took note of three proposed new initiatives; special session on the development and use of responsible generative AI in ASEAN; and agreement on the arrangements and schedule of the COSTI-85 Meeting, to be hosted by Cambodia.
Prior to COSTI-84, the COSTI sub-committees and the board of advisors to COSTI (BAC-15) met from October 16-18 to deliberate and formulate strategies that would further elevate STI integration across ASEAN.
Following COSTI-84, the first meeting of the ASEAN-UK Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation (AUKDSTI-1) convened on October 20, co-chaired by Ir Haji Mohammad Nazri and UK Ambassador to ASEAN Sarah Tiffin.
Discussions encompassed the review of the ASEAN-UK Plan of Action, the progress of ASEAN-UK science, technology and innovation cooperation, as well as future areas of ASEAN-UK collaboration.
Subsequently, the 11th meeting of the ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation (AEUDSTI-11) was held, also following AUKDSTI-1. The meeting was co-chaired by Ir Haji Mohammad Nazri and Deputy Director General from the European Commission Joanna Drake. Discussions centred on ASEAN and EU research and infrastructure policy priorities and the future focus of the E-READI dialogue instrument.
The meeting on October 19-20, saw the attendance of delegations from ASEAN member countries and the ASEAN Secretariat.
