OINT MEDIA STATEMENT OF
THE SEVENTEENTH ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING ON SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY(AMMST-17)
20 October 2017
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

1. The Seventeenth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology (AMMST-17) was held on 20 October 2017 in Nay Pyi Taw,Myanmar. It was chaired by H.E.Dr. Myo Thein Gyi,Union Minister of Education of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
2. The Ministers congratulated Myanmar for the successful hosting of various events in conjunction with the celebration of the 10th ASEAN Science,Technology and Innovation Week prior to the convening of the 17th AMMST.These events include the ASEAN Science,Technology and Innovation Conference; the ASEAN Science,Technology and Innovation Exhibition; the ASEAN Open Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum; the 51st Meeting of Sub-Committee on Science and Technology Infrastructure and Resources Development; the 4th Meeting of Board of Advisors to Committee on Science and Technology; the 73rd Meeting of ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology; the 8th ASEAN-Russia Working Group on Science and Technology; the 7th ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Science and Technology; and the 7th ASEAN-U.S Consultation on Science and Technology.
3. The Ministers endorsed the final version of the ASEAN Declaration on Innovation for the adoption by the ASEAN Leaders at the 31st ASEAN Summit in the Philippines.
4. The Ministers welcomed the approval of 12 proposals to be funded by the ASEAN Science,Technology and Innovation Fund (ASTIF) under the 1st Call for Proposals for the implementation of actions indicated in the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science,Technology and Innovation(APASTI) 2016-2025.
5. The Ministers welcomed the pledge of USD 1 million each by Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to the ASEAN Science,Technology and Innovation Partnership Contributions,which Thailand and the Philippines during the last ministerial meeting had individually pledged USD 1 million.The Ministers agreed to look into practical research themes to advance social development.
6. The Ministers we repleased to note the furthering of ASEAN regional scientific cooperation with the establishment of the ASEAN Large Nuclear and Synchrotron Network and the ASEAN Network for Nuclear Power Safety Research,and the approval of the ASEAN Hydroinformatics and Climate Data Centre(AHC) for the exchange and access of information related to water and weather and for forecasting with applications including crop optimisation and disaster risk reduction.
7. The Ministers welcomed 2018 as the ASEAN-China Year of Innovation.
8. The Ministers expressed appreciation to the enhancement of the ASEAN-India Science andTechnology Development Fund(AISTDF)from USD 1 million to USD 5 million by India,and was pleased to note the launch of the ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship and the ASEAN-India Collaborative R&D Program.
9. The Ministers welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN-Russia Plan of Action on Science,Technology and Innovation (ARPASTI) 2016-2025 by ASEAN COST and Russia Federation.
10. The Ministers were pleased to note the sustaining of the ASEAN-US Science and Technology Fellows programme as ASEAN Science and Technology Fellowship programme with ASEAN Foundation as the administrator of the programme.
11. The Ministers underscored the importance to support the local MSMEs through initiatives facilitating technology transfer,diffusion,adoption and adaptation, for inclusive and equitable growth.The Ministers also agreed to lookin to the development of policies to facilitate technology start-up.
12. The Ministers congratulated the recipients of the ASEAN Young Scientist and Technologist Award (AYSTA); the ASEAN Out standing Scientist and Technologist Award (AOSTA);the ASEAN Meritorious Service Award (AMSA); the ASEAN Plus Three Centre for the Gifted in Science’s Da Vinci Award & Scholarship; and the ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women.

LIST OF ASEAN MINISTERS

The Meeting was attended by:

1. H.E. Dato Seri Paduka Mohd Roselan Mohd Daud,Deputy Minister(Corporate, PENGGERAK and Economy) at the Prime Minister’s Office,Brunei Darussalam (representing Honorable Pehin Dato(Dr.) Mohammad Yasmin Bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy and Industry at the Prime Minister’s Office, Brunei Darussalam)
2. H.E.Dr.CHAMP rasidh, Senior Minister and Minister,Ministry of Industry and Handicraft,Kingdom of Cambodia
3. H.E.Prof.Ainun Na’im,Secretary General of the Ministry of Research,Technology, and Higher Education (MoRTHE) (representing H.E.Prof.Dr.Mohamad Nasir, Minister for Research,Technology,and Higher Education (MoRTHE),the Republic of Indonesia)
4. H.E.Mr. Houmphanh INTHARATH,Vice Minister of Science and Technology (MOST) (representing H.E.Prof.Dr.Boviengkham VONGDARA, Minister of Science and Technology,the Lao People’s Democratic Republic)
5. Hon.Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau,Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Malaysia
6. H.E.Dr. Myo Thein Gyi,Union Minister of Education,the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
7. H.E.PROF.FORTUNATOT.DELAPEŇA, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology(DOST),the Republic of the Philippines
8. H.E.Dr.Raj.Thampuran,Managing Director of Agency for Science,Technology and Research (A*STAR)(representing H.E.S.Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry(Industry),the Republic of Singapore)
9. H.E.Dr.Atchaka SIBUNRUANG,Minister of Science and Technology,the Kingdom of Thailand
10. H.E.Dr Pham Cong Tac, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology (representing H.E.Mr.Chu Ngoc Anh, Minister for Science and Technology,the Socialist Republic of VietNam)
11. H.E.Dr.Lim Hong Hin,Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community,ASEAN Secretariat(representing H.E.Le Luong Minh, Secretary- General of ASEAN)