TOKYO, Japan (27 Jan 2015):
Malaysia proposed for a stronger cooperation with Japan in future biofuels programme in line with ASEAN-Japan leaders commitment to enhance cooperation in energy security. This proposal was made by Dato’ Sri Dr. Noorul Ainur Mohd. Nur, Secretary General of Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) and also Head of Delegation for the 6th Meeting of ASEAN-Japan Cooperation Committee on Science and Technology (6 AJCCST) and the 8th Meeting of ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology Plus Three (8 COST + 3) held in Tokyo, today.
Subsequently, Japan also welcomed the proposal from Malaysia to further develop biofuel technologies in ASEAN, starting with the consultation exercise amongst ASEAN Member Countries on the lifecycle analysis of biofuels. Malaysia is the country coordinator for the ASEAN Biofuel Flagship programme, which is one of the six (6) Flagship Programmes initiated under the Krabi Initiative 2010.
ASEAN-Japan Cooperation on STI
The AJCCST meeting also discussed new initiatives between ASEAN and Japan such as the formulation of ASEAN-Japan Plan of Action on STI Cooperation. Malaysia proposed that Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) dialogues amongst policy makers be enhanced by strengthening the networking between ASEAN and Japan’s policy makers. Moving forward, ASEAN and Japan agreed to embark on modalities of collaboration in science and technology via policy dialogues, accelerating human resource development and talents and cooperation in research projects.
During the meeting of the 6th AJCCST, Heads of Delegation from ASEAN and Japan exchanged views on various issues concerning ASEAN-Japan cooperation in the field of science and technology, including on the progress development of ASEAN Plan of Action on Science Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2015-2020. To keep abreast with the cooperation between ASEAN and Japan, the meeting also deliberated on the progress of on-going projects between ASEAN and Japan, such as e-ASIA Joint Research Program, Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) and Japan East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS 2.0).
The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Sadayuki Tsuchiya, Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (MEXT) and H.E. Dr. Teguh Rahardjo, representative of ASEAN COST Chairman cum Senior Advisor to the Minister on Security and Defense Technology, Indonesia. The organisation of the meetings were timely ahead of the ASEAN Summit, scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur in April 2015.
Other Initiative
In addition to this Meeting, the Malaysian delegation is also scheduled to visit the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) as well as the temporary container house village in Onagawa, Miyagi to learn the best practices from Japan in handling and providing post-disaster reliefs to its people, who were affected by Tsunami in 2011. The knowledge would assist Malaysia in formulating our action plans for disaster risk management.
