A virtual launch of the ASEAN Network on Bio-Circular- Green Economy took place on 17 January 2022 as part of the ASEAN Innovation Roadmap: BCG on Global Digital World towards Inclusive and Sustainable Growth organized by the Thailand Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.

The proposal on ASEAN Network on Bio-Circular- Green Economy, or ASEAN BCG Network, was initiated by NSTDA and endorsed by the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI). The network aims to promote sustainable development by serving as a platform for collaboration among ASEAN members and between the ASEAN region and international organizations in the area of BCG. Activities of the network shall include capacity building, technology demonstration, technology localization, technology transfer and joint research in order to facilitate the adoption and implementation of innovative and sustainable technologies in the social and industrial sectors.

Delivering a keynote address at the launch event was Prof. Dr. Yongyuth Yuthavong, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Former Minister of Science and Technology of Thailand. His inspiring talk was titled BCG: Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model and new opportunities for ASEAN. Following the address was a session on “How science, technology and Innovation support the sustainable development goals in ASEAN”. Speakers in this session represented the network member organizations, namely 1) Dr. Iman Hidayat, Chairman of Research Organization for Life Sciences, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia; 2) Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, Executive Director of The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), the Philippines; 3) Dr. Raslan Ahmad, Senior Vice President of Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), Malaysia; and 4) Dr. Worajit Setthapun, Dean of Asian Development College for Community Economy and Technology (adiCET), Chiang Mai Rajabhat University, Thailand.

The network membership is open to academic and research institutes located in ASEAN member countries and involving in BCG in any of the following aspects: research & development, technology transfer and manpower development. To become a member or receive more information, please contact aseanbcg@nstda.or.th.