Committee on Science and Technology


THE ACTIVITIES under Science and Technology from June 1980 to the early part of 1981 can be summarized as follows:


ASEAN Protein Project

The ASEAN Protein Project has been administered and implemented by the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Protein under the guidance of Committee on Science and Technology (COST).

The major objective of the project is to solve the region's problem of malnutrition among the vulnerable groups, namely infants, pre-school children, pregnant and lactating women. The project has been financially supported by the government of Australia through the ASEAN Australia Economic Cooperation Programme (AAECP).

There are three sub-projects of the ASEAN Protein Project:

- Production, development and utilization of high protein, low cost foods;

- Production and utilization of full fat soy flour, consisting of:
    a) improvement of soy souce manufacturing techniques

    b) improvement of culture collection centre

- Nutrition and metabolic evaluation.

The budget for phase 1 (1974-78) was A$ 2.5 million and for phase II (1978-81) was A$ 3 million.

In a view of the success of the project, a second extension of the project was approved by COST for the period 1981 to 1984 (three years) with a total annual budget of A$ 600.000. The annual allocation to the project will allow the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Protein to make long-term collaboration programmes in protein food research and training.

ASEAN Research on Food Technology

This is a new project proposal which is temporarily under the coordination of the Committee on Protein.

The need for research in food technology comes from a recognition of the necessity of improving the quantity and quality of food supply at a rate compatible with the increase in population in the ASEAN region.

The objectives of the research proposal are:
  1. To increase utilization of local food raw materials through improved processing and packaging and distribution;

  2. To develop food processing activities that will help promote gainful employment;

  3. To adapt, develop and apply appropriate technology for the development of food processing industries in ASEAN;

  4. To develop a scientific and technological base for indigenous food processing technology in the ASEAN.

The proposed budget will include equipment, chemicals, training and salaries to the amount of $ 1,500,000 for the duration of three years.

The Fourth Meeting of COST requested the Sub-Committee to submit a comprehensive project proposal for consideration at the Fifth COST Meeting.


Management and Utilization of Food Waste Materials

The Food Waste Materials Project was initiated by the Sub-Committee on Protein and implemented with effect on 1st January 1980.

The utilization and management of food waste materials is an important and permanent concern of all ASEAN countries. These waste materials, which are the major sources of environmental pollution could be converted into useful by- products, such as food, fuel, chemicals. Because of the intensification and diversification of agricultural and food production and processing activities, food waste problems will increase in scope.

The Working Group on Food Waste Materials has identified the problems and the areas of research in food waste utilization and management and has formulated cooperative research problems.

The aim of this project is to improve the management and utilization food waste materials in the ASEAN region in two ways:
  1. to utilize waste materials to eliminate a source of pollution, particularly water pollution;

  2. to convert these wastes into useful by-products by application of the appropriate technology.

There are already two firm commitments of funds for the project. The Australian Government has agreed to provide an immediate allocation of A$ 500,000 and a total allocation of A$ 2,500,000 for the Project


Project on the ASEAN Climatic Atlas and Compendium of Climatic Statistic

The ASEAN Climatic Atlas and Compendium of Climatic Statistics, started in September 1978, is a project by which the ASEAN member countries have agreed to process and analyse climatic data of the five countries and compile their findings into a Climatic Atlas and Compendium of Climatic Statistics. The project is under the Sub-Committee on Climatology and the centre is in Kuala Lumpur.

COST has agreed to the proposed extension of the ASEAN Climatic Atlas and Compendium of Climatic Statistics Project and its revised budget for January 1981 to June 1981.

COST adopted the proposed Map of ASEAN entitled "ASEAN " and decided that there should be no boundaries within ASEAN and its final version of this proposed map would be referred to member countries for approval before submission to the Standing Committee.

The ASEAN Experts on the Environment

The ASEAN Experts on the Environment have identified the following priority areas:

A. Urgent Priority Areas
    (i) ASEAN Regional Seas Programme

    (ii) Environment Impact Assessment

    (iii) Urban Water and Urban Air Quality Monitoring

    (iv) Pollution Control Technology

B. Other Priorities
    (i) Habitat, Rural and Urban Development

    (ii) Environment Education

    (iii) Environment Planning and Development

    (iv) Marine Environment

    (v) Social aspects in Environmental Development

    (vi) Nature Conservation

COST at its Fourth Meeting on 27-29 August 1980, Singapore, considered and adopted the report and recommendation of the Third Meeting of ASEAN Experts on the Environment held in Manila, 19-23 May 1980.

The priority areas identified by ASEAN countries and found to be of possible interest to UNDP include:
    a) UNEP Regional Seas Programme including Marine Pollution Control Training

    b) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Methodology, including EIA for ASEAN industrial complementation projects

    c) Wildlife Management and Training

    d) Development of appropriate technologies for pollution control

    e) Low Waste and Non-Waste Technologies

    f) Survey of Air and Water Quality in Urban Areas

    g) Soil Erosion Control Programme

    h) Environment Planning Methodologies

    i) Recycling of Waste.

The overall recommendation decided upon by the Working Group on Environment was to formulate a Framework Plan for ASEAN Environmental Programme which would incorporate all the elements agreed upon in all the Experts Group Meetings and that the plan should include a description of the status, funding, and schedule of the project.

ASEAN Programme Proposal on Marine Science

The idea of establishing a cooperation in marine science among ASEAN countries was initiated at the 6th COST Meeting, Kuala Lumpur, December 1976 and further elaborated at its 7th Meeting, November 1977.

The three proposals submitted were:
  1. Assistance in developing expertise in conducting studies on tides and tidal streams;

  2. Studies on tides and tidal currents;

  3. Technical assistance programme in marine sciences in ASEAN countries.

The proposals under this programme were finally integrated in two main components by the Working Group under this project, for reconsideration by COST. The two components are:

- ASEAN Cooperative Studies on Tides and Tidal Phenomena; and

- ASEAN Cooperative Programme on Oceanography.

The objectives of the ASEAN Cooperative Studies on Tides and Tidal Phenomena are:
  1. To develop the capabilities of the ASEAN countries to undertake studies on tide, tidal current and other tidal phenomena studies;

  2. To make it possible for ASEAN countries to utilize tidal data for port and harbour development, navigation, marine pollution control, coastal development and marine resources management, tsunami warning, tidal energy development, weather forecasting and other;

  3. To share and compare data and information on tide and tidal phenomena within the ASEAN region as they relate to coastal development and management.

Non-Conventional Energy Research

The Fourth Meeting of COST considered the recommendations of the First Meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Non-Conventional Energy Research, September 1979, Bangkok, with two proposals, namely:
  1. Setting up of an ASEAN Cooperation Programme on Non-Conventional Energy;

  2. Formulation of a Sub-Committee on Non- Conventional Energy

The ASEAN Working Group on Non-Conventional Energy Research in Bangkok on 18-20 November 1980, has formulated an integrated ASEAN Plan on Non-Conventional Energy Research based on the areas approved by the Third and Fourth COST Meeting. At that meeting the priority areas have been formulated into an integrated ASEAN non-conventional energy research master plan including focal points.

Research Areas Focal Points
1. Solar refrigeration and air-Conditioning Singapore
2. Solar electric power system Thailand
3. Solar drying Malaysia
4. Solar pumping Malaysia
5. Bio-energy conversion Philippines
6. Coal technology Indonesia
7. Wind energy Thailand
8. Geothermal energy Philippines
9. Energy inventory and assessment Indonesia
10. Micro-hydro energy Indonesia


ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology for Development

The Fifth Meeting of COST adopted the Plan of Action on Science and Technology for Development containing five major programme areas which are as follows:
  1. Food Science and Technology

  2. Energy and Natural Resources Development

  3. Manufacturing Industries, Transportation and Communications Development

  4. Health and Social Development

  5. Science and Technology Infrastructural Development.

Contributions to the Trust Fund for the above programme could come from third countries and the UN interim fund.

For more information, please refer to the project details