Bangkok: The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), in partnership with the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI), recently hosted the USABC Innovation Showcase on the sidelines of the 88th COSTI Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. In a statement, USABC said the showcase highlighted how science, technology, and innovation are accelerating sustainable and inclusive growth across Southeast Asia.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the event brought together ASEAN policymakers, United States private sector leaders, and regional innovators to exchange best practices and spotlight US-ASEAN partnerships in driving innovation across key sectors. ‘Innovation is not just about new ideas; it is about creating practical solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities throughout ASEAN. By maintaining strong cooperation between governments and the private sector, we can strengthen the innovation ecosystem. This in turn boosts prosperity and enhances the lives of citizens,’ said USABC senior vice president and regional managing director Ted Osius, a retired ambassador.
The showcase featured presentations from Corteva Agriscience and Illumina, two leading US companies driving innovation in agriculture and biotechnology. Corteva Agriscience presented its sustainable innovation framework, underscoring the role of green chemistry and innovations, including gene editing, biologicals, and biofuels in sustainable farming. ‘We are committed to ensuring that our sustainable innovation helps farmers solve tough challenges while protecting our natural resources,’ said Government and Industrial Affairs Lead for ASEAN at Corteva, Somsak Samanwong.
Meanwhile, Illumina showcased its sequencing technologies and their applications in national genomics initiatives, including Singapore’s National Precision Medicine programme, highlighting how precision genomics could strengthen healthcare systems and support ASEAN’s broader digital transformation. ‘Illumina is focused on making DNA sequencing faster, simpler, and more accessible for our customers,’ said Illumina’s vice president of Singapore Research and Development (R and D), William Ng. The event reaffirmed the council’s leadership in advancing science-based collaboration and private-sector innovation to drive ASEAN’s sustainable growth.