Science
and technology ministers discussed strengthening co-operation at the 14th Asean
Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology (AMMST) in Ho Chi Minh on
Saturday.
"Vietnam fully recognises the importance
of science and technology and considers it a key to the success of its process
of modernisation over the next 10 years," Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen
Thien Nhan said in his opening address.
He added that science and technology was a
crucial area for regional co-operation that would ensure sustainable
development within the bloc and improve the region's capacity to cope with
climate change.
Participants discussed ways to strengthen
scientific and technological co-operation among Asean countries and reviewed
the results of co-operative programmes since the last informal AMMST in
December 2010 in Krabi, Thailand.
The "Krabi Initiative" was
considered a strategic direction for raising competitiveness to achieve a
sustainable and inclusive Asean using science, technology and innovation by
synchronising technology, establishing a sub-committee on metrology (the study
of measurements) and setting up an Asean earth observation satellite
The plan of action for 2012-17, which includes
six Asean flagship programmes-food safety, an early warning system to reduce
losses due to natural calamities, bio-fuel, application and development of
open-source software and climate change-was passed.
According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Science
and Technology, Vietnam has been an active participant in scientific and
technological activities in the region, especially in Asean co-operative
projects. It has also made significant contributions to the Asean Science Fund
(ASF).
Vietnamese Minister Nguyen Quan said the
biggest obstacles to scientific and technological co-operation in the region
were the huge differences in development levels among Asean member countries.
However, he expressed confidence in the
success of the Krabi initiative, citing the fact that Asean countries shared a
common will and a good relationship, and there is a strong consensus among
their top leaders.
The 62nd Asean Committee for Science and
Technology (COST 62) and the consultative meeting on Asean-the US scientific
and technology co-operation were also held as part of the AMMST on November
23-25.
Vietnam will chair COST in 2011-12, which
provides it a good opportunity to retain its high profile after successfully
ending its tenure as the Asean chair last year.
The News Desk in Ho Chi Minh/Viet Nam News |
ANN
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