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ASEAN strengthens science, technology, innovation cooperation with Japan, RoK

The AJCCST-15 and AKJSTIC-7 once again reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN’s cooperation with the two Northeast Asian countries in science, technology and innovation, while reinforcing alignment with the region’s broader vision under its APASTI 2026–2035.

Participants in the 7th Meeting of the ASEAN – RoK Joint Science, Technology and Innovation Committee (AKJSTIC-7) in Vientiane, Laos, on June 24, 2026. (Photo: VNA)
Participants in the 7th Meeting of the ASEAN – RoK Joint Science, Technology and Innovation Committee (AKJSTIC-7) in Vientiane, Laos, on June 24, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vientiane (VNA) – The 15th Meeting of the ASEAN – Japan Cooperation Committee on Science and Technology (AJCCST-15) and the 7th Meeting of the ASEAN – Republic of Korea (RoK) Joint Science, Technology and Innovation Committee (AKJSTIC-7) were held in Vientiane, Laos, on June 24.

The events took place ahead of the 22th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-22), hosted by Laos.

Japan remains one of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s longest standing and most trusted partners in sci-tech cooperation. Over the years, collaboration between the two sides has delivered tangible outcomes across joint research, human resource development, technology transfer and the building of innovation partnerships.

Against this backdrop, the AJCCST-15 served as an important platform for reviewing achievements to date, exploring new opportunities and identifying future directions to further deepen their partnership.

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Participants in the 15th Meeting of the ASEAN – Japan Cooperation Committee on Science and Technology (AJCCST-15) in Vientiane, Laos, on June 24, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Meanwhile, discussions at the AKJSTIC-7 focused on the cooperation plan for the 2025–2027 period. The meeting also advanced the implementation of priority areas under the plan, ensuring consistency and close alignment with the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) for 2026–2035 and the plan of action for the ASEAN – RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during 2026–2030.

In addition, the AKJSTIC-7 reviewed ongoing initiatives and considered new proposals in areas including digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), clean energy technologies, scientific networking and capacity building in science, technology and innovation. These initiatives reflect the shared commitment of the bloc and the RoK to harness science and technology to address regional challenges while promoting sustainable and inclusive growth.

The AJCCST-15 and AKJSTIC-7 once again reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN’s cooperation with the two Northeast Asian countries in science, technology and innovation, while reinforcing alignment with the region’s broader vision under its APASTI 2026–2035./.

VNA
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