News Straits Times Press, 30 August 2006

Asean to get latest data on R&D conducted by Japanese scientists

KUANTAN: Asean has reached another milestone in its co-operation with Japan on science and technology matters.

Through an initiative known as "Matsuda’s Initiative", Japan has agreed to grant access to its enormous database.

This would enable Asean member countries to get the latest information on research and development (R&D) conducted by Japanese scientists.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said Asean ministers had accepted the offer made by Japan’s Science and Technology Minister Iwao Matsuda during a meeting here.

The meeting was held in conjunction with the two-day 4th Informal Asean Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology which ended yesterday.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Jamaludin said the respective countries would also link their R&D databases with Japan’s to enable scientists in the region to collaborate and minimise overlapping research.

The collaboration is part of the four flagship programmes under a five-year Asean action plan on science and technology which will kick off next year.

The flagship programmes will see co-operation in environment and disaster management; new and renewable energy; open source software; and food safety and security.

Jamaludin said Asean would also link up its database with other dialogue partners, including India, in ICT (information, communication and telecommunication) technology, biotechnology, advanced materials and space technology applications.

India and Asean would also share their data and technology on early warning systems for tsunami and earthquake.

On the funding for the action plan, Jamaludin said most of it would come from Japan which was Asean’s main dialogue partner. Apart from Japan, Asean’s other dialogue partners are Australia, China, India, South Korea and New Zealand.

All of them were represented by either their ministers or deputy ministers at the meeting.