EU, ASEAN sustain collaborative efforts in advancing the ASEAN Technology Management Hub (TMH)

Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 22 November 2023 – Over 50 experts from the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) brainstormed on how technology solutions could best be linked to address global challenges.

The 3^rd EU-ASEAN Technology Management Hub (TMH) workshop kicked off on Tuesday (21 Nov), reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the ongoing ASEAN TMH initiatives. The event highlighted the exchange of knowledge and best practices on the most recent advancements in establishing comparable platforms and managing cross-border technology transfer.  The workshop was also aimed at drafting the proof of concept note for the ASEAN TMH, linking national technology transfer systems in ASEAN and translating inventive concepts into technically viable solutions, capable of addressing global challenges such as the climate crisis, food and health security, pandemics and economic inequality.

The EU and EU Member States have made significant investments in building effective innovation ecosystems, technology management platforms and digital innovation hubs. They are designed to support the scaling of companies, encourage innovation, and stimulate cooperation among national, regional and local innovation actors including universities, public research agencies, governments and companies. These platforms share many of the same goals and ambitions as the ASEAN TMH.

In February this year, the 1^st EU-ASEAN Workshop on the ASEAN TMH took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, followed by the 2^nd EU-ASEAN Workshop on the ASEAN TMH in Siem Reap, Cambodia in March.  These workshops were organised with the support of Enhanced Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (E-READI) in coordination with the European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), and the ASEAN Committee of Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI), supported by the Science and Technology Division of the ASEAN Secretariat.  This 3^rd ASEAN TMH workshop marks the continuation of these collaborative efforts to develop a comprehensive online platform that matches commercially viable university research with an innovation-driven private sector to accelerate research, catalyse innovation, foster knowledge sharing and promote technology transfers in ASEAN.  

At the opening of the 3^rd workshop, H.E. Igor Driesmans, EU Ambassador to Cambodia congratulated ASEAN on developing its regional TMH. “Both ASEAN and the EU could benefit enormously from joining forces in the development of the ASEAN TMH which has the potential to accelerate knowledge sharing and research cooperation between the two regions and jointly develop innovative solutions to the global challenges we are all facing,” he said.

H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation of Cambodia emphasised the significance and benefits of the ASEAN TMH for the region: “The Royal Government of Cambodia stands ready to work hand in hand with ASEAN Member States and dialogue partners to address our common issues by harnessing the potential of science, technology, and innovation (STI). These initiatives are wisely aligned with the ASEAN Action Plan on STI 2015-2025.”

H.E. Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community said: “The Technology Management Hub aims to address the distinct needs of ASEAN. This initiative is tailored specifically to benefit the diverse population of over 600 million in our region, recognising unique requirements and challenges that may differ from established hubs worldwide."

COSTI Cambodia Chairperson H.E. Dr. Hul Siengheng presented the concept of the Technology Management Hub for ASEAN and encouraged attendees to contribute their experiences for a concise concept note, outlining an ideal cross-border technology transfer model. H.E. Dr Ir. Boediastoeti Ontowirjo, Chairperson of COSTI Indonesia added: "We prioritise technology transfer, especially in energy transition and digital transformation. These efforts require significant investment and collaboration, highlighting the need for partnerships. Hence, this Technology Management Hub is a pivotal platform enabling efficient interactions among stakeholders in a research and innovation ecosystem."

In addition to the ASEAN TMH, the EU, through E-READI, has been supporting the EU-ASEAN Dialogue on High-Performance Computing (HPC), the development of an ASEAN Regional Research Infrastructure (RRI) strategy, as well as the EU-ASEAN Dialogue on Talent Mobility. These dialogues, which are mutually reinforcing activities, constitute a holistic approach in the EU-ASEAN cooperation in science and research. 

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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967. The ASEAN Member States are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. On 31 December 2015, the ASEAN Community was formally established. The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta.

The European Union (EU) is the economic and political union of 27 Member States. Together, the European Union has built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development while maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedom. In 2012, the European Union was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advancing the goals of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. The European Union is the world's largest trading bloc, and the world's largest source and destination of foreign direct investment. Collectively, the European Union and its member countries are the largest donors of Official Development Assistance (ODA), providing more than half of ODA globally. The 27 Member States of the European Union (in alphabetical order) are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology & Innovation (COSTI) is responsible for operationalising and translating the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology (APASTI) strategic thrusts into specific actions, coordinating activities of its subsidiary bodies, creating public awareness of regional Science & Technology activities and their contribution to economic development and reviewing overall progress of collaboration, including the relations with ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners and external collaborators.

The Enhanced Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (E-READI) is an EU-financed development cooperation programme that facilitates cooperation and dialogue between the EU and ASEAN in policy areas of joint interest. Drawing on the EU’s experience of regional integration, E-READI further strengthens both the ASEAN regional integration process as well as the overall ASEAN-EU strategic partnership.