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APASTI key to driving innovation, sustainable growth within ASEAN: Lao official

Souksavath Sihapanya, Director General of the Department of Science under the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports, stressed that science, technology and innovation should be regarded not only as tools for development but also as a key pillar for building a stronger, more competitive and inclusive ASEAN.

Delegates pose for a group photo at the 89th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-89) in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo: VNA)
Delegates pose for a group photo at the 89th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-89) in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo: VNA)

Vientiane (VNA) – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should step up knowledge-sharing, cross-border technology transfer, bridge the digital divide, and strengthen human resource capacity so that the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) can serve as a core mechanism for driving economic growth and addressing the bloc's environmental challenges sustainably, a Lao official has said.

Speaking at the 89th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-89) in Vientiane on June 23, Souksavath Sihapanya, Director General of the Department of Science under the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports, said the meeting aimed to build on previous achievements and accelerate the implementation of APASTI by translating strategic goals into concrete actions.

He stressed that science, technology and innovation should be regarded not only as tools for development but also as a key pillar for building a stronger, more competitive and inclusive ASEAN.

Souksavath called on participants to engage in open, strategic and forward-looking discussions, with a particular focus on applying technologies to tackle climate change, strengthen food security and speed up the transition to renewable energy across ASEAN. He highlighted the need to enhance the regional innovation ecosystem to support the safe adoption of artificial intelligence, strengthen cybersecurity, promote smart city development.

The Lao official also suggested deepening collaboration with ASEAN's dialogue partners and the private sector to translate scientific research into commercial applications.

He expressed his belief that the meeting's outcomes will generate practical strategies to reinforce regional solidarity and ensure that no one is left behind.

Co-chaired by Souksavath and Nagulendran Kangayatkarasu - a senior official from Malaysia's Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, COSTI-89 brought together delegates from all 11 ASEAN member states, along with representatives of private enterprises and the ASEAN Secretariat./.

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