Thailand pledges $1m to kick off ASEAN science development fund
Thailand will invest an initial US$1 million to establish a Science, Technology and Innovation Development Fund for ASEAN. After the first ASEAN Science & Technology Innovation Forum, held in Bangkok last week, Science and Technology Minister Pichet Durongkaveroj said the forum had come up with three plans to stimulate education in science and technological development in the region. “As host of the event, Thailand proposed providing $1 million in initial investment capital to set up a Science, Technology and Innovation Development Fund for ASEAN, so that ASEAN countries will have a tangible plan to direct responsible development of science and technology,” he said. After Thailand’s proposal, representatives of other ASEAN countries responded to the idea and will ask for their governments to approve budgets for contributing to the fund.
