ASEAN+3 science ministers meet in RoK

Science ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Republic of Korea (RoK), China and Japan, met in RoK’s central city of Daejeon on October 20 to discuss ways to form a network of cooperation in science and technology..

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) conference for science and technology. The RoK invited the ASEAN members to the event to seek shared growth among different regions.

Addressing the ASEAN+3 meeting, the host country’s Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning Choi Yang-hee said science and technology have fueled economic development in ASEAN, China, Japan and the RoK, adding that the trend will continue in the future.

He highlighted the meeting as an opportunity to share past efforts and achievements and explore ways to accelerate ASEAN's science and technology development.

OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria held that the ASEAN members have been playing a greater role in the global economy, especially in the ICT segment.

During the meeting, the host proposed that countries must join forces in coping with global issues, such as climate change and other countries should help the Southeast Asian region invest more in science and technology.

The discussions at the ASEAN+3 meeting will be reported to the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology gathering slated for November in Laos.-VNA