Yahya Ibrahim Yusop

Science chiefs across the Southeast Asian region urged the elevation of science, technology, and innovation to make ASEAN countries a ‘global innovation powerhouse’ during the 21st Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-21) on June 20 in Jakarta, Indonesia.


Initiated by the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI), Chair for 2025, H.E. Dr. Laksana Tri Handoko, Chairman of Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), along with ASEAN Secretary General H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, gathered science leaders to discuss the challenges and potential prospects to advance science, technology, and innovation in the region.

The Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary, Renato Solidum Jr., was among the science leaders represented, along with delegates from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In the summit, the ASEAN Secretary General, Kao Kim Hourn, considered funding as one of the main issues, acknowledging the “critical reality” of support to development within the region. 

He added that research and development investment remains below one percent of the gross domestic product, while noting that ASEAN is “substantially behind” in funding, at an average of two percent spent by countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Moreover, based on ASEAN’s internal review data, he stated the failure of the Southeast Asian countries to establish partnerships with the private sectors on science, technology, and innovation-related projects in nine percent. 

Amidst these challenges, and despite being the world’s fifth-largest economy, ASEAN countries have yet to unlock their full potential for innovation to contribute to economic growth and address environmental and agricultural problems.

Kao, on the other hand, encouraged science leaders to further establish public-private partnerships, navigate global megatrends like artificial intelligence, and amplify human capital development. 

With this year’s theme, “Empowering ASEAN’s STI Ecosystem: National Commitments for Regional Impact,” the summit was set to adopt the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2026–2035, aiming to implement concrete measures toward an inclusive and future-ready ASEAN innovation ecosystem.