The 90th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-90) and related events opened in Vietnam's central coastal city of Da Nang on Otober 13, with the Ministry of Science and Technology acting as its host.
The event, which runs until October 15, marks a key step in implementing the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation for 2026-2035 (APASTI 2026-2035).
COSTI functions as ASEAN’s senior officials-level mechanism in science, technology, and innovation, supporting the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI) in executing regional cooperation frameworks.
Taking place during the initial implementation phase of the APASTI 2026-2035, COSTI-90 provides a forum for member states to operationalize cooperation priorities and consolidate regional research and innovation capabilities.
The program comprises seven official meetings, including sessions across five specialized sub-committees, the 21st Meeting of the COSTI Advisory Council (BAC-21), and the COSTI-90 plenary session. This marks the inaugural meeting of the five sub-committees following a structural consolidation from nine sub-committees aimed at enhancing coordination efficiency and implementation.
On October 13, five sub-committees convened concurrently, covering Science, Technology and Innovation Ecosystems; Deep and Emerging Technologies; Biotechnology and Food Science; Materials and Energy Technology; and Earth, Ocean and Space Sciences. The BAC-21 meeting is scheduled for October 14, while the COSTI-90 plenary session will commence on October 14 and continue through October 15.
Delegates are expected to review progress on AMMSTI conclusions and APASTI 2026-2035 implementation, evaluate priority initiatives and cooperation projects, and receive updates on partnerships with dialogue partners and international organizations. Based on reports from sub-committees and the Advisory Council, COSTI will deliberate on strategic directions and implementation activities for the upcoming period.
Vietnam aims to drive APASTI execution focused on measurable and practical outcomes, promoting joint research, shared infrastructure utilization, and scientific exchanges. Vietnam is also working to bridge universities, research institutes, enterprises, and investors to develop the ASEAN innovation ecosystem, bringing regional cooperation closer to the practical needs of citizens, businesses, and the research community.
On the sidelines of the main meetings, a workshop on engineering biology survey results in ASEAN is scheduled for October 14. Supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and led by Universiti Putra Malaysia, the workshop will assess collaboration capabilities and contribute inputs toward drafting the ASEAN engineering biology roadmap.
On October 15, the Ministry of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the UL Research Institutes (the US), plans to host an international workshop titled "Women Innovators for ASEAN: Shaping the Future through Science and Technology." The event aims to connect female scientists, facilitate knowledge sharing, and encourage participation among women and youth in STEM disciplines.
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