Arya News - The vision behind the initiative is to create an online platform that bridges the gap between university research and the private sector, fostering collaboration to accelerate innovation and support technology transfer.
PHNOM PENH – The ASEAN Technology Management Hub (ASEAN TMH) has taken a major step towards its official launch, scheduled for the 88th ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI) Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this October.
The 6th EU-ASEAN Workshop, held from June 4–5, brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from ASEAN member states, the ASEAN Secretariat, the EU and organisations such as COSTI Indonesia.
The workshop, hosted by the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation in Siem Reap, focused on finalising implementation plans for the online platform, (ASEAN TMH) that will catalyse innovation and technology transfer across Southeast Asia.
First proposed by Cambodia and Indonesia in 2021, the ASEAN TMH was adopted as a priority initiative by COSTI in 2022.
The vision behind the initiative is to create an online platform that bridges the gap between university research and the private sector, fostering collaboration to accelerate innovation and support technology transfer.
By connecting researchers, government bodies, NGOs, start-ups and investors, the ASEAN TMH seeks to address key challenges, such as the lack of infrastructure for scaling up regional innovations.
@The ASEAN TMH is a collaborative platform designed to link university research with private sector entities to maximise societal impact and commercial potential,” said Elrade Rofaani, representative of the COSTI chairperson of Indonesia.
With regional innovation ecosystems still emerging, the platform aims to unlock the potential of ASEAN’s untapped ideas and technologies by providing a structured, connected approach for growth.
Hul Seingheng, undersecretary of state at the science ministry chair of Cambodia COSTI, stressed the need to move from discussion to actionable steps.
“The discussions on the operational roles of the ASEAN TMH working groups and the development of the Functional and Technical Requirements Document (FTRD) are establishing the core operations of this platform,” he said.
He also highlighted the value of EU support through the E-READI project, calling it “a strong foundation for ASEAN to accelerate technology transfer, nurture innovation ecosystems and foster resilient, inclusive growth”.
The ASEAN TMH has garnered crucial support from the EU, primarily through the Enhanced Regional EU-ASEAN Dialogue Instrument (E-READI) project.
EU ambassador to ASEAN, Sujiro Seam, emphasised the importance of this partnership, noting that the TMH is “a collaborative platform for regional needs and aspirations”.
“The ASEAN TMH offers a collaborative platform for regional needs and aspirations,” he said.
“Through E-READI, the EU supported several workshops over the years, with the sixth workshop finalizing the implementation plan for ASEAN TMH,” he added.
He cited the Horizon Europe initiative as a flagship example, with its €95.5 billion ($109 billion) funding from 2021 to 2027 for global science and innovation cooperation.
During the workshop, Zurina Moktar, head of the Science and Technology Division at the ASEAN Secretariat, highlighted the importance of ensuring the technical and financial sustainability of the platform.
“Over 50 percent of GDP growth this decade will be driven by sectors rooted in innovation and technology”, she said.
For ASEAN to stay ahead in the global landscape, it is essential that platforms like the ASEAN TMH are not only visionary but also viable, sustainable and technically sound.
The platform aligns with ASEAN’s broader goals, as outlined in the Draft of the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026–2030.
By enhancing regional cooperation in research and development, the ASEAN TMH aims to serve as a cornerstone of the region’s innovation ecosystem.
Currently, ASEAN member states operate disparate mechanisms for technology transfer, limiting cross-border collaboration.
“Only 15% of ASEAN-based start-ups expand beyond their home markets. Recognising the need for a unified platform to strengthen regional cooperation, ASEAN and the EU have worked together to centralise the region’s innovation efforts,” explained an EU statement.
From February 2023 to May 2024, four workshops were held, culminating in the successful development of a platform prototype and validation of intellectual property safeguards.
The fifth workshop, held earlier this year, provided key feedback for the platform’s continued development, ensuring it meets the needs of ASEAN’s diverse stakeholders.
Igor Driesmans, EU ambassador to Cambodia, commended the progress made by ASEAN in developing the ASEAN TMH, emphasising the mutual benefits of the EU-ASEAN partnership.
“Our partnership transcends dialogue — it’s about creating tangible opportunities to drive innovation across both regions and tackle global challenges”, he said, during the 5th workshop in October 2024.