Kuala lumpur: Malaysia has proposed the establishment of an ASEAN Centre for Science Diplomacy, which would be the first regional hub in the country focusing on the role of science in public policy and cooperation among ASEAN nations. The proposal was initiated by UCSI University and the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT), and fully supported by the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Institute for Science Diplomacy and Sustainability (UCSI-IISDS) at UCSI University Founding Director and MIGHT Co-Chairman (Government), Tan Sri Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid, stated that the hub would serve to mobilise all efforts in ASEAN to champion science diplomacy issues, with Malaysia leading the establishment of the hub. He emphasized the hub’s importance in addressing issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution among others, which are deeply rooted in science. Dr. Zakri spoke to Bernama and RTM after attending the ‘International Conference on Science Diplomacy for Regional Prosperity in ASEAN’.
Zakri, who is also the recipient of the 13th National Academic Figure Award, disclosed that a proposal paper has been prepared, and initial discussions with the ASEAN Secretariat have started, including several town hall sessions with ASEAN member states. He mentioned that one session was held in Jakarta two months ago, where the proposal received strong support. He highlighted the need for more time for one-to-one negotiations between governments and expressed the desire for Malaysia, through Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to signal support for this initiative for endorsement at all ASEAN levels.
The proposal marks a pioneering move within the ASEAN community, as Western countries already have such hubs, and this would be the first initiative of its kind in the developing world, particularly within a Global South country. Dr. Zakri encouraged Malaysia to take the lead in pushing for the hub’s establishment.
Earlier, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang, in his officiating speech, noted Malaysia’s serious exploration of establishing the centre, which will serve as a hub for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and policy coordination. The two-day conference, which began today, brings together policymakers and academics from ASEAN and beyond to discuss the challenges of science diplomacy as a mechanism to foster regional cooperation among ASEAN member countries.