By Zymar P. Bandola (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Development Cooperation) and Charlene U. Basig (International Technology Cooperation Unit)

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently concluded a successful four-day mission in Paris, France, where it participated in key dialogues, meetings, and events at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Led by Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr., the DOST delegation, supported by Assistant Secretary for Development Cooperation Rodolfo J. Calzado, Jr., and officials from the Philippine Embassy in France, engaged in fruitful discussions aimed at advancing science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies. These include the Japan-ASEAN High-level Roundtable on Science, Technology, and Innovation, OECD Multistakeholder High-Level Dialogue, and the Ministerial Meeting of the OECD Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy (CSTP).

Secretary Solidum (middle) and Assistant Secretary Calzado (left) with Mr. Jerry Sheehan, Director of the OECD Science, Technology, and Innovation Directorate (right).

Secretary Solidum and Assistant Secretary Calzado join Ambassador Junever M. Mahilum-West and other Officials of the Philippine Embassy in France in an informal courtesy meeting.

Japan-ASEAN High-level Roundtable on Science, Technology, and Innovation 22 April 2024

The Roundtable served as a platform for ministerial-level discussions between ASEAN and Japan, aimed at promoting closer STI collaborations. These discussions underscored the shared commitment to fostering sustainable partnerships and co-creating innovative solutions to address regional and global challenges.

Coinciding with this, Japan announced the launch of its landmark ASEAN initiative, NEXUS: Networked Exchange United Strength, aimed at catalyzing joint research and fostering human capital development, paving the way for a resilient, interconnected regional innovation
ecosystem. The initiative will leverage a US$100 million fund administered by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). As part of this initiative, DOST and JST will jointly host a Workshop on Water Security on 08-09 May 2024 in Metro Manila, Philippines. As an
outcome of the workshop, a maximum of five collaborative research projects will receive support from the NEXUS fund, with DOST contributing ₱10 million for each approved joint project for a three-year implementation.

Additionally, DOST highlighted the significance of the Philippine-led project under the Subcommittee on Meteorology and Geophysics entitled “Converging towards the Development of an ASEAN Platform on Science, Technology, and Innovation for Disaster and Climate Resilience”, a timely initiative for both ASEAN and Japan.

Ministers of Science and Technology from all 10 ASEAN Member States witnessed the announcement of the landmark initiative NEXUS: Networked Exchange United Strength (Photo Courtesy of ASEAN Secretariat).

OECD Multistakeholder High-Level Dialogue and CSTP Ministerial Meeting 23-24 April 2024
At the OECD Multistakeholder High-Level Dialogue and CSTP Ministerial Meeting held on 23-24 April 2024, Secretary Solidum delivered key interventions, emphasizing the country's commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Secretary Solidum poses for a photo prior to the CSTP Ministerial Meeting at the OECD Headquarters in France.

In support of the country’s sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development, the Secretary highlighted several enabling national policies, including the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2038, the 2018 Innovative Startup Act, and the DOST Strategic Plan 2023-2028. This strategic plan focuses on achieving four outcome pillars – Human Well-being, Wealth Creation, Wealth Protection, and Sustainability.

In line with this, the Secretary underscored the practical application of technology solutions for pressing social, economic and environmental challenges. Key initiatives particularly under the sustainability pillar of the DOST Strategic Plan include the development of eco-friendly alternatives to plastics and non-renewable materials to support industries comply with the 2022 Extended Producers’ Responsibility Act (EPR). Alongside these programs, other flagship initiatives of DOST that enable societal engagement in STI for green and just transitions were also highlighted. These include the DOST OneLab Network, the Local Government Unit Performance Excellence in STI Awards, Knowledge, Innovation, Science, and Technology (KIST) Parks, and the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP). “Guided by the Philippines’ 2023-2028 Development Plan, the Department of Science and Technology stands at the forefront of harnessing STI in providing solutions and opening opportunities for a sustainable and futureproof society—one that meets the pressing demands of the present, while anticipating the needs of future generations. As such, we adopted a new Strategic Plan built upon four pillars: Human Well-being, Wealth Creation and Protection, and Sustainability, which directly respond and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals,” Secretary Solidum stated.

The Ministerial Meeting concluded with the adoption of the joint ministerial OECD "Declaration on Transformative Science, Technology and Innovation Policies for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future" which was adhered to by OECD Members, the European Union and interested non-Members, including the Philippines.

Secretary Solidum delivering the Philippines’ intervention during the CSTP Ministerial Meeting.

Secretary Solidum joins in a family photo with fellow ministers from OECD Members, the European Union and other participating ministers of non-Member countries (Photo Courtesy of OECD).

Courtesy Meeting with UNESCO Assistant Directors-General for Sciences 25 April 2024
The UNESCO Assistant Director-General (ADG) for Social Sciences and Human Sciences, Ms. Gabriela Ramos, and ADG for Natural Sciences, Ms. Lidia Arthur Brito, hosted a courtesy meeting with the DOST delegation and the Philippine Embassy in France. The meeting, held at UNESCO headquarters, provided an opportunity to exchange information on ongoing initiatives and explore of potential collaborations.

During the meeting, Secretary Solidum shared details on the DOST Strategic Plan as well as ongoing programs and projects in line with it. The UNESCO ADGs shared initiatives and publications that could serve as convergence points for joint collaboration such as the UNESCO’s Open Science Toolkit, Readiness Assessment Methodology: a tool of the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, Futures Literacy Laboratory Playbook, Programme on the Promotion of Scientific Freedom and the Safety of Scientists, Inclusive and Resilient Societies, among others.

UNESCO further shared that 2024-2033 has been declared by the United Nations as the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (Sciences Decade), solidifying further collaborations between UNESCO and DOST towards operationalizing the country’s STI Foresight document PAGTANAW 2050 with the vision of harnessing the talent and tools in science and technology to innovate towards a prosperous, archipelagic, maritime nation by 2050.

Secretary Solidum with UNESCO Assistant Directors General Gabriela Ramos (left) and Lidia Arthur Brito (right).

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