The Second Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers of Science and Technology was held in Jakarta in November, 1983 to review ASEAN cooperation in science and technology and give guidance to the Committee on Science and Technology (COST). The COST held its Ninth and Tenth Meetings in September, 1983 in Phuket, Thailand and in March, 1984 in Baguio City, Philippines, respectively.
I. ON-GOING PROJECTS
The Protein Project
The Protein Project, initiated in 1974 and coordinated by Thailand, was in its final phase of implementation. The Project received a total of A$ 7.3 million from Australia.
The success of the Protein Project had led to COST's decision to establish an ASEAN policy on the commercialization of the technologies developed.
Management and Utilization of Food Waste Materials
Initiated in January 1980, the Food Waste Materials Project during its four years of operation has developed promising technologies that could be applied to industries namely:
- organic tanning of shark skins to shark leather; - production of biogas from solid waste materials such as banana peelings, cassava and pineapple residue; - technology of animal feed production utilizing food waste such as palm oil mill waste or banana peelings; - production of live food for tropical ornamental fish; - pineapple juice concentration by reverse osmosis; - recycling of waste water from softdrink industry by membrane process; and - citric acid production from food waste materials.
An Industry Information Brochure containing information on the technologies developed would be distributed to the relevant industries.
Food Technology Research and Development (FTRD) Project
The FTRD Project, started in July 1982, receives financial assistance from Australia. The Project covers the following activities;
- ASEAN food products, which include analytical work on
aflatoxin, carcinogenic compounds heavy metals,
microbial quality, vitamins A, B1, B2, and C, and nitrates
and nitrosoamines;
- improving utilization of local food raw materials as various
starches in cassava, sweet potato, banana and their evaluation
for human potential food;
- improving the processing technology for ASEAN traditional food
products as cakes, dried fish, fish paste, tempe, tahu, etc; and
- analysis of the composition and characteristics of foods as
fruits, fishes and starches from local sources.
The overall objective of the project is directed towards the modification of product formulations, processing procedures, packaging techniques and storage of ASEAN food products based on scientific methods to attain the goal towards improving and developing the nutritional quality (food standard), wholesomeness, as well as improving the market value of ASEAN food products.
ASEAN Climatic Atlas and Compendium of Climatic Statistics
The completed publication of the Atlas and Compendium of Climatic Statistics will be distributed within and outside ASEAN. COST is also publishing a manual on the use of the ASEAN Atlas and Compendium.
Non-conventional Energy Research
Non-conventional energy projects under the masterplan on energy research were adopted by COST for regional and third country cooperation and are in various stages, of implementation. Australia, the United States and the ADB were in active collaboration with ASEAN in this field.
ASEAN-Australia energy cooperation is centered on three programme areas namely, Biomass for Heat and Power, Coal Technology, and Energy Conservation.
ASEAN - U.S. energy cooperation covers the following: Coal Training, Energy Conservation in Buildings, and Water Pumping Technology. The objectives of the first two sub-projects has been achieved. ASEAN has requested the US further assistance for the same area of cooperation.
ASEAN is exploring possible assistance from Canada for the Biogas Technology and Solar and Wind Assessment projects and from New Zealand for the Wind Energy and Geothermal Energy projects.
A project on Coal Development Studies with ADB funding began in January 1984.
ASEAN Project on Environment
The ASEAN Environment Programme (ASEP) receives major financial support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The activities include areas under environment management and assessment, nature conservation, industry and environment education training, environment information and environment data, marine environment, and remote sensing.
ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development
The first issue of the "ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development" was published in January 1984.
The Journal reports on science and technology policies, programmes and research activities undertaken by ASEAN.
II. NEW COST PROJECTS
ASEAN Cooperation on Materials Processing
The project proposal on Materials Processing focussed on Low Cost Building Materials and their Applications. The sub-project were classified under two broad areas, namely: mineral-based building materials and forest and agricultural-based building materials
Other areas on materials processing considered for cooperation were: projects on minerals and metals; materials for chemical and medicines; and standardization and performances of materials.
The scope of the projects include exchange of information and experience in materials processing, in plant training within or outside the ASEAN region, and research and development.
ASEAN Programme on Marine Science
The project has received positive responses from Australia, Canada and the United States.
Australia hosted a project development meeting on Marine Sciences in March 1984 in Manila. Two areas, were intensified namely: Studies on Tides and Tidal Phenomenon and Studies on Living Resources with Emphasis on Mangrove and Coral Reef Ecosystem.
The ASEAN - U.S. cooperation programme on Marine Sciences has been formulated for consideration by the U.S. The Project covers coastal resources development and management which include the following components: remote sensing on environmental resources, effective development and management of fisheries resources and training requirements in both fields.
ASEAN Science and Technology Week
The project is aimed at bringing together key people and top professionals including those from the commercial and industrial sectors of ASEAN countries and their dialogue partners, as well as international organizations.
Science and Technology Week will be held bienially, on a rotation basis among member countries, with the first scheduled for mid-1986
Feasibility Study of Solar and Wind power Energy Potential in the ASEAN Region
To help solve problems arising from increased energy utilization, COST has focussed interest on a feasibility study, of solar and wind power as possible sources of non-conventional energy in the ASEAN region. The project proposal would be further consolidated for possible funding by dialogue partners. A project development meeting, financed by Canada was held in Manila in September 1983.
ASEAN Cooperation on Corrosion
Following the ASEAN - EEC Inter-Regional Course Seminar on Marine Corrosion and its Control, held in Indonesia, in September, 1983, ASEAN agreed that at the initial stage, cooperation would be concentrated on marine corrosion.
Environment Impact Assessment of Coal-Based Electric Power Plants and Industries
The World Coal Study of 1980 had estimated that coal would provide up to two-thirds of additional fuel needed globally for the next two decades. Its use, mainly for electric power generation and in important industries, like production of iron and steel, basic metals, cements and bricks could create a basic environmental problem.
The Project was aimed at achieving environmental protection from pollution made by gas/fly ash emitted from coal use. The Project included analysis of existing models or methodologies already developed to assess the environmental impact of coal-based electric power plants and industries with a view towards identifying those methodologies which might be employed in the ASEAN region. An analysis of existing trends and strategies in coal-use in the ASEAN member countries would also be mad to give a comparative picture of the practices and prospects among ASEAN countries.
Food Habits
The problem of nutrition in the ASEAN region is mainly affected by various social, cultural, economic, demographic, ecological and political factors. The Sub-Committee on Protein has initiated the project on Food Habits.
The main objective of the Project is to increase the understanding of the role of food habits in improving nutritional status in the ASEAN region so that policies and programmes may be more effectively designed and implemented. This Project will support the accomplishment of the Protein Project in terms of furthering the application and utilization of developed technologies and food products. The end-effect of the project is to provide for the greater majority of the ASEAN people access to the right quantity of food, right quality-and the right price.
Australia has committed A$ 2 million to finance the project.
Research and Application of Microprocessors
The project is as a joint proposal for establishing a pathway for ASEAN to acquire practical knowledge in the field of micro- electronics
ASEAN Regional and Technical lnformation Services
The objectives of the project are: to develop an information system or systems and data bases in areas of specialization, with special emphasis on the application of computers to support effective research development and planning activities in ASEAN and to promote capability and self-reliance in information within ASEAN.
For more information, please refer to the project details
