THE 20TH ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING
ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION (AMMSTI-20)
7 June 2024, Siem Reap, Cambodia
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT
1. The 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-20) was held on 7 June 2024, in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI), Cambodia.
2. The Meeting congratulated Cambodia on successfully hosting the 85th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-85), which was held from 4 to 5 June 2024, in Siem Reap, Cambodia, in conjunction with AMMSTI-20.
3. The Meeting reaffirmed the commitment to enhance cooperation in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) in ensuring the effective realisation of the ASEAN Community Blueprints 2025 and ASEAN Community Vision 2045, in the face of global and regional challenges.
4. The Meeting noted with satisfaction the implementation progress of the 2024 Priority Economic Deliverable (PED) and Annual Priorities (APs) under the STI Sector, as follows:
i) (PED) Establish an ASEAN Online Education Platform for Industry 4.0, co-led by Lao PDR, Cambodia and Thailand.
- The online platform supports critical skills development and human resource nurturing for Industry 4.0, positively impacting the ASEAN community.
ii) (AP) Establishing the ASEAN Technology Management Hub (Phase III), co-led by Cambodia and Indonesia.
- The initiative will be the first ASEAN-initiated technology transfer matchmaking platform, enhancing access to key technologies within ASEAN.
iii) (AP) Developing the ASEAN Regional Research Infrastructure Strategy (Phase II), led by Thailand.
- The strategy is expected to promote all AMS’s research infrastructure by the end of 2025 and provide a seamless integration in co-sharing the infrastructure to drive meaningful STI development.
iv) (AP) Establishing the ASEAN Startup Initiative, led by Malaysia.
- Serving as a one-stop ASEAN startup ecosystem portal, the initiative provides startup information in ASEAN, related activities related to tech entrepreneurship, and a news section. In addition, the portal allows startups to reach out to investors and vice versa.
v) (AP) Establishing the ASEAN Talent Mobility Community, led by Thailand.
- STI talent circulation can facilitate the exchange of ideas, connect networks as intermediaries, and leverage domestic strengths while enhancing the skills of the talent. The ATM platform system is designed to provide opportunities for ASEAN STI talents to mobilise, collaborate and contribute to the regional growth.
vi) (AP) Implementing the ASEAN Energy Resilience Assessment Guideline:
Capacity Building on Energy Resilience Assessment, led by Thailand.
- AMS will learn to perform energy resilience assessment based on the ASEAN Energy Resilience Assessment Guideline through a project entitled “Training on Energy Resilience Assessment: Towards Climate-Adaptable Energy Systems.”
5. The Meeting noted the progress of 93 STI activities implemented by 9 Subcommittees under COSTI and 68 STI activities supported by Dialogue Partners and other partners. The Meeting also commended the long-term cooperation between ASEAN, its Dialogue Partners and other partners in advancing STI for mutual benefits including advocating for dedicated STI funding.
6. The Meeting endorsed 1 Priority Economic Deliverable for 2025 under the STI Sector, entitled Establishing ASEAN Technology Startup Ignite, led by Malaysia. The PED will enhance science and technology-based innovation and entrepreneurship within the ASEAN region, accelerating technology startups' growth and sustainability through access to crucial resources, such as programs like capacity building, business advisories, mentorship, and regional collaboration opportunities.
7. The Meeting acknowledged the commencement of the groundwork of the upcoming ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2026-2035, which is expected to be reported during AMMSTI-21. The Meeting noted that the ASEAN Foresight Alliance’s document entitled ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Ecosystem Foresight 2035 report led by Malaysia is to be launched in 2025 and should be leveraged for the APASTI 2026–2035.
8. The Meeting agreed that the role of the Board of Advisers to COSTI (BAC) should be strengthened through Public Private Partnerships; and ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Fund (ASTIF) to be reopened for a call for proposal in 2025.
9. The Meeting exchanged views on Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in navigating the future of ASEAN, recognising the vast potential exhibited by the technology in driving economic growth and transformation. The Meeting also endorsed the AMMSTI Statement on AI.
10.The Meeting also commended the Launch of ASEAN COSTI Tracks on AI (ACT on AI) 2024-2025, five AI-related activities initiated by COSTI and supported by Dialogue Partners that would further position ASEAN as a competitive player in the global AI landscape.
11.The Meeting noted that the 21st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-21) will be hosted by Indonesia, tentatively scheduled in June 2025.
12.The Meeting expressed appreciation to the Royal Government and People of Cambodia for the warm hospitality accorded to them and for the excellent arrangements made.
