As a continuing effort in reinforcing the role of science and technology in the ASEAN region, the 13th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology (AMMST) was held last 06-07 November 2009 in Singapore. The ASEAN S&T Ministers reviewed and discussed the progress of the various projects stemming from the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology (APAST) and other initiatives that contribute to the building of the ASEAN region.

The APAST identifies Flagship Programmes and their respective lead countries, namely: Biofuels (Malaysia), Early Warning System for Disaster (Indonesia), Open Source System (Indonesia), Functional Food (Thailand), Health (Singapore), and Climate Change (Philippines/Viet Nam).

The Ministers lauded the efforts of the lead countries in finalizing the roadmaps. They tasked the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) to develop the groundwork for its implementation. Moreover, the Ministers directed the ASEAN COST to use the ASEAN Science Fund (ASF), which currently has reached 93% of the total expected target of USD 10 million to support the implementation of the roadmaps.

The 13th AMMST, chaired by H.E. S. Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry of Singapore, was attended by S&T Ministers and Senior Officials from the 10 ASEAN Member Countries. H.E. Dato’ Misran Karmain, Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN, also attended the meeting. It was held back to back with the 58th Meeting of the ASEAN COST and its different Sub-Committees.

The Ministers are set to meet in the 6th Informal AMMST to be held in Thailand in November 2010.