In adopting the 1994 Plan of Action for Science and Technology at the Sixth Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers for Science and Technology in Manila from 2 to 3 February 1994, the S&T Ministers requested the ASEAN Secretariat to draft the operational plan and work programme for the Plan of Action for consideration at the subsequent COST Meeting. The Ministers also requested COST and the ASEAN Secretariat to work out the details of the financing schemes for ASEAN S&T projects based on the guidelines provided by the Meeting.
The ASEAN Secretariat has since submitted the draft operational plan consisting of a work programme and financing schemes/cost sharing projects at the 30th and 31st COST Meetings as well as at an Ad-Hoc Experts Group Meeting for review and comments. The revised draft is expected to be ready for submission to the 32nd COST Meeting for endorsement at the Seventh Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers for Science and Technology to be held from 28 to 29 August 1995 in Bangkok.
COST's various cooperation programmes with the Dialogue Partners continue to make satisfactory progress and several new phases or initiatives were started during the year. In the case of the ASEAN-Australia Economic Cooperation Programme (AAECP) Phase III most of the projects involved S&T in areas such as food science and technology, non-conventional energy, marine science and information technology.
Following the completion of the S&T Desk Stud, commissioned by New Zealand to operationalise future cooperation with ASEAN in the S&T field, it as agreed that the initial focus would be in biotechnology and materials science but New Zealand has expressed willingness to also consider project proposals outside the two focal areas. The terms of reference for the design studies in the two areas are being finalized.
Besides its on-going S&T collaborative programmes with ASEAN, the EU has recently announced its Fourth Framework Programme on Research and Technological Development (RTD) which became operational on 1 January 1995 and where opportunities exist for the development of future collaboration with ASEAN in the S&T area. This matter was further discussed during the ASEAN-EU High- Level Meeting between EU and ASEAN S&T officials in mid-May 1995.
The ASEAN-UNDP Sub-regional Programme for the Fifth Cycle (ASP-5) which began in July 1994 includes a sub- programme on Technology that covers four components, namely: (1) operationalisation of the 1994 ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology, (2) development of ASEAN science and technology management information system, (3) enhancement of public-private collaboration in regional science and technology development, and (4) the promotion of ASEAN regional cooperation in addressing technology and environment issues. Substantial progress has been made in the first component while implementation of the second component has commenced.
Under the ASEAN-India Sectoral Dialogue, science and technology cooperation was launched with the convening of the First Meeting of the ASEAN COST-India joint Collaboration on Science and Technology from 6 to 10 February 1995 in New Delhi, India. The Meeting agreed on a plan of action for the development of activities in the three identified areas of S&T cooperation, namely; (1) advanced materials, (2) biotechnology and (3) information technology. The proposed activities for the first year include return visits by Indian scientific officials to ASEAN Member Countries and workshops to identify specific topics and develop the project proposals for collaboration. These events are expected to take place around the Fourth ASEAN Science and Technology Week scheduled to be held in Bangkok from 28 August to I September 1995.
Meanwhile, under the ASEAN-China Consultative Relationship, science and technology cooperation as also initiated with the holding of the First Meeting of the ASEAN-China joint Science and Technology Committee (JSTC) on 21 March 1995. The JSTC Meeting concluded and signed the Terms of Reference and the Procedural Guidelines of the JSTC and also considered cooperative projects in the areas of remote sensing, meteorology aid earth sciences, among others.
Cooperation in food science and technology ,as further enhanced through workshops, seminars and conferences organised during the year. The Fifth ASEAN Food Conference as successfuIly held from 26 to 29 July 1994 in Kuala Lumpur. The ASEAN-EU Workshop on Membrane Technology in Agro-based Industry was held concurrently during the Fifth ASEAN Food Conference and was attended by 15 participants from ASEAN countries, 16 from EU countries and ten from the private sector. The ASEAN-Canada Seminar/Workshop in Standard Methods for Pressure-Driven Membrane Processes was held in Ottawa, Canada from 24 October to 4 November 1994 and attended by two representatives from each ASEAN Member Country.
Two AAECP Phase III projects, "Wastewater Treatment Technology Transfer and Cleaner Production Demonstration Project" and "Quality Assurance for Fresh ad Processed Tropical Fruits Project", are awaiting 'Implementation around mid-1995. The ASEAN Food Workshop o. Food Composition Data System and the ASEAN Workshop on Functional Foods are being submitted to Japan while the "Development of Shrimp Feed Technologies in ASEAN" is being forwarded to the Republic of Korea for funding consideration. In the meantime, New Zealand has agreed to consider the possibility of funding the project on Sensory Evaluation: �Cross-Cultural Approach Amongst ASEAN".
The ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) which became operational in January 1993, already has scientists attached to it from Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore. The remaining ASEAN Member Countries have identified their scientists for attachment to the Centre pending approval from their respective authorities.
A proposal titled "ASEAN Workshop on Climate Change" has been submitted to UNEP for funding consideration in mid- 1994 and the response from UNEP is awaited. A proposal for the establishment of an ASEAN Earthquake Information Centre is t. be resubmitted to Japan for funding support following ,reformulation by the project proponent. The project has been revised into the following three modules :
b) ASEAN Network for Rapid Exchange of Strong Earthquake Data (ASNET- RESED)
c) New Edition of Seismology Series in ASEAN Countries
Satisfactory progress has also been achieved in the Feasibility Study on Climate Monitoring and Impact and the Plate Motion and Crustal Deformation Deduced from Space Geodetic Measurement for the Assessment of Related Natural Hazards in Southeast Asia projects.
The "AAECP-Phase II - funded "Micro- electronics Design and Application Project" was completed in June 1994. Most of the sub-projects have reached the prototype stage and some have reached the commercial stage. An end-of-phase conference was held from 9 to 11 August 1994 in Bangkok where 32 papers from ASEAN and Australian researchers and eight papers from invited Australian experts were presented.
The "Feasibility, Design Study for the AAECP-Phase III Telecommunications Cooperation Training Project" took place in October-November 1994. The project design document ,as received by the ASEAN side in early 1995 with implementation of the project expected to be around mid-1995.
The Seminar , Resource Development in the Electrics Field was successfully organised in Surabaya, Indonesia from 24 to 28 January 1995 with financial support from Japan under the IATEP scheme.
Three project proposals are pending submission to Dialogue Partners for funding support. These .e "Workshop on Microelectronics Technology to the Republic of Korea", "Seminar on Silicon Processing Technology to the European Union" and a reformulated "Workshop on Information Technology to India".
A Study Tour/Visit to Canadian Institutions on Microelectronics by a delegation of ASEAN officials will take place once Canada has identified the Canadian Executing Agency for the proposed activity.
ASEAN Member Countries and New Zealand have agreed that the three project poposals submitted earlier by COST will be considered in the formulation of a broader project on materials science and technology. These proposals are "Corrosion Prevention of Infrastructure and Equipment", "Development of Polymeric Composites and Adhesive Technology" and "Development of Porous and Membrane Ceramics for Industrial Applications". The ASEAN side has also forwarded to New Zealand its comments on the draft Terms of Reference for the Design Study on Materials Science. A response is being awaited.
The project proposal on "Development of Advanced Coating Materials for High Performance Engineering Applications" is pending submission to the Republic of Korea. for funding consideration. At the First Meeting of the ASEAN COST-India Joint Collaboration on Science and Technology held in February 1995 in India, both sides agreed that in the field of advanced material,, project proposals will be developed on the topics of surface engineering technologies and industrial magnetic materials.
The ASEAN-Australia Biotechnology Project was completed in June 1994. A wrap-up meeting for the project was held from 26 to 28 June 1994 in Bangkok where the project members presented the final reports of their respective activities, The achievements made in the project are also highlighted in a book entitled "Biotechnology for Development" while another publication entitled "ASEAN- Australia Biotechnology Directory" contains the names, addresses as well as contact persons of all organisations which have been involved in the project.
Several project proposals are being considered by Dialogue Partners for funding consideration and among these are the "Collaborative Project on the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases by Japan' and "Workshop on Biosensor by the European Union". The Sub-Committee on Biotechnology is also in the process of developing cooperative programmes and activities in biotechnology with the Republic of Korea, New Zealand and India.
A number of projects underwent transition in phases during the year. Phase 11 of the ASEAN-Australia Energy Project under the AAECP was completed in June 1994. The five-year programme involved a total of 17 institutions in ASEAN and Australia and consisted of 27 sub-projects in the three categories of Energy Conservation in Industry, Energy Conservation in Buildings and Fluidized Bed Combustion. The project has been successful in meeting its objectives and the experience gained and networks established ill promote close cooperation and transfer of know-how in the future. The feasibility design study for the AAECP-Phase III project n Energy from Biomass Residues Supplemented by Fossil Fuels was conducted in mid-1994. Pending the finalisation of project-related documents by ASEAN and Australia, the project is expected to commence in the latter half of 1995.
Phase I of the ASEAN-EU COGEN Programme was officially completed towards the end of 1994. Accomplishments during this phase 'include sectoral studies/ reports on biomass resources in ASEAN, development of databases and business lines, construction of Full Scale Demonstration Projects (FSDPs) in ASEAN countries and Europe-based activities. The agreement for Phase 11 of the Programme with a duration of two years was signed in January 1995 and the activities include implementation of FSDPs and supporting measures to ensure the replication and sustainability of the FSDPs upon completion of this phase.
The ASEAN-New Zealand Natural Gas Utilisation in Transport (NGUT) Programme successfully concluded its first year of activities. Brunei Darussalam officially joined the programme in March 1995 with additional funding provided by New Zealand. New Zealand has also agreed to consider allocating additional funds for the participation of Vietnam in the project. It has also been agreed that the project will be extended by one year to 1997/98 and provided with funding allocation.
Activities under the AAECP Programme on Marine Science - Phase II were officially completed in June 1994 with the exception of the Regional Ocean Dynamics (ROD) component which was completed in June 1995. The AAECP-Phase III project on Coastal Zone Environment and Resources Management has commenced during the year with some initial training activities.
With respect to the ASEAN-Canada Cooperative Programme on Marine Science - Phase II, a mid-term technical review conference a, held in Singapore in October 1994 where more than 60 scientific papers were presented. The conference also prepared technical workplans and budgets for the varions studies in 1995. Several workshops and training activities were also conducted during the course of the year at various locations with. ASEAN. In addition, a number of ASEAN scientists are undertaking graduate studies or short-term training in Canada under the auspices of the programme. A newsletter called SEAHAB has also been produced.
The EU has commissioned the International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) to conduct a study entitled "Interdisciplinary Scientific Methodologies for the Sustainable Use and Management of Coastal Resource Systems". The study stated in May 1994 for a period of 18 months. The objective of the study is to develop generic tools and guidelines for the integrated management of coastal systems and will include development of a software to facilitate cross- section and transect analysis. A project workshop will be held in early August 1995 in Penang, Malaysia to discuss the results of the study and the development of a follow- on project on integrated coastal -one management.
Under the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Cooperative Programme on Marine Sciences, a preparatory workshop was held from 14 to 16 June 1994 in Penang, Malaysia to develop a collaborative project on "Industrial Uses of Marine Biological Resources". The project proposal is being reformulated by the Sub-Committee on Marine Science.
Meanwhile, a Trainig Workshop on MuIti-Species Resources and Multi-Gear Fisheries is being considered by Japan for funding support.
Following the successful conclusion of the first workshop held in April 1994 in Seoul for the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Cooperation Programme on National S&T Strategy and Policy for Promoting the Industrial Competitiveness in ASEAN, the second workshop was held in Jakarta in May 1995 to further review and assess the progress made in the project. Country reports prepared by the ASEAN and Korea. experts were discussed and future plans of cooperation on the subject matters were discussed.
Under the ASEAN-EU Project on Improvement of Natural Resources Management and Environment Monitoring through the Use of ESA-ERS-1 Satellite Capabilities in ASEAN, the installation of various information processing facilities has taken place in several ASEAN countries. Several pilot projects have also bee. implemented and training programmes have been conducted.
The Sub-Committee on S&T Infrastructure and Resources Development (SCIRD) has also agreed to be the implementing entity for the ASEAN-UNDP ASP-5 Sub-programme on Technology - Element II: ASEAN Science and Technology Management Information System. The Sub- Programme will serve as the basis for developing the various information networking activities contemplated by SCIRD and by COST. An experts group is being formed to assist SCIRD in its task of implementing the project.
SCIRD has also submitted two projects which have been approved for submission to Dialogue Partners for funding consideration. The first on "Cooperation in Technology Transfer and Commercialisation of R&D Results" will be considered by New Zealand while the second on "ASEAN Convention on the Performance and Prospects of Technology Incubators and Science Parks" is to be considered under the AAECP Phase III - Linkages Stream.
COST adopted a set of editorial policy guidelines for soliciting advertisements for the ASEAN journal on Science and Technology for Development and agreed to certain recommended changes in the membership of the Editorial Advisory Board of the journal and also approved an additional US$ 10,000 for the publication. Two issues of the journal were published during the year. COST also agreed that there should be more promotional campaigns to seek additional subscriptions and invited articles from Dialogue, Sectoral Dialogue and Consultative Partners as well as observers of ASEAN for the journal.
Preparations are underway for the Fourth ASEAN Science and Technology Week which will be held from 28 August to 1 September 1995 in Bangkok with the theme "Science and Technology: The Future of ASEAN". The event will feature a series of conferences on several S&T topics, various awards for noted scientists and technologists and an exhibition to highlight the achievements and developments of science and technology in the region and elsewhere. The host country, Thailand, has agreed to financially support the participation of four scientists from each of the eight subcommittees of COST and ,p to a total of 32 scientists from each ASEAN Member Country. ASEAN's Dialogue Partners have also bee invited to participate in and contribute to this event and some expressions of interest have been received.
The 30th COST Meeting held from 12 to 16 September 1994 in Chiangmai, Thailand adopted the following guidelines for the use of the ASEAN Science Fund (ASF): (1) science and technology policy studies, including convening and hiring of experts for this purpose; and (2) support for S&T information exchange and dissemination. The Meeting endorsed the allocation of US$ 10,000 for the publication of the ASEAN journal on Science and Technology for Development.
As of 28 February 1995, the total amount of ASF stood at US$ 394,145.34 of which US$ 15,114.27 was in the form of interest that can be utilised for funding approved S&T activities.