On 12 August 2025, NXPO took part in the International STI Policy Forum, held as part of the MHESI Fair 2025 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. The event aimed to strengthen Thailand’s international presence, facilitate knowledge exchange, and explore opportunities for bilateral and multilateral cooperation, while fostering strategic partnerships between Thai and international organizations.
Thailand–European Union Cooperation Forum The Delegation of the European Union to Thailand hosted a workshop titled “Promoting Cooperation on Research and Innovation between the European Union and Thailand” under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. The session provided a platform for academia, research institutions, and the private sector to exchange experiences and featured presentations from EU-funded projects such as Horizon Europe and the Southeast Asia–Europe Joint Funding Scheme, focusing on climate change and health.
Representing NXPO, Dr. Pranpreya Sriwannawit Lundberg, Director of the International Policy Partnership Division, joined the panel discussion on “The European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Priorities in Higher Education and Research.” Other panelists included Mr. Gabriel Dayre, Attaché and Programme Manager, Delegation of the EU to Thailand; Prof. Dr. Vissanu Meeyoo, Vice President, Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI); Dr. Uracha Ruktanonchai, Executive Vice President, National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA); and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suramate Chalermwisutkul, Sirindhorn International Thai-German Graduate School of Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok.
Dr. Pranpreya highlighted Thailand’s key higher education, science, research, and innovation (HESRI) policies, the impacts of global trends on the workforce and learning models, and the future directions of science, technology, and innovation. She also discussed opportunities for enhanced Thailand–EU collaboration, particularly under the OECD and ASEAN frameworks, and outlined potential joint initiatives in various fields.
ASEAN Innovation Roadmap Forum
The Office of the Permanent Secretary, MHESI, organized the 6th ASEAN Innovation Roadmap Forum: The Final Chapter of 2025 and the Beginning of Transformation. The session reviewed progress under the ASEAN Innovation Roadmap 2019–2025 and set the stage for a new strategy to advance innovation beyond 2025 in response to emerging global challenges.
In the session “Build a Future-Ready with More Future-Focused and Empowering Action across the Region through Technology and Innovation,” ASEAN representatives shared experiences, including:
- Indonesia – Dr. Boediastoeti Ontowirjo, Chair of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI), National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), presented case studies on innovation projects with potential regional impact.
- Malaysia – Ms. Siti Salmiah binti Haji Dimyati, Deputy, Technology Transfer and R&D Commercialization Division, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), discussed empowering startups and building a sustainable ASEAN startup ecosystem.
- Philippines – Mr. Alvin Retamar, Chief Science Research Specialist, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), highlighted applications of digital innovation to address climate change and reduce social inequality.
- Thailand – Ms. Papawee Nupason, ASEAN BCG Network Secretariat, NSTDA, presented strategies for fostering sustainable research collaboration.
The session was moderated by Dr. Doungkamon Phihusut, Policy Specialist at NXPO.
BAC & SCIRD Roundtable Discussion
The BAC & SCIRD Roundtable Discussion: Way Forward on ASEAN Innovation Agenda – Aligning with APASTI 2026–2035 was convened with participation from the Board of Advisers to COSTI (BAC) and the Sub-Committee on Innovation and Research Development (SCIRD) from ASEAN member states.
Discussions centered on defining ASEAN’s innovation strategies for 2026–2035, strengthening regional STI cooperation, and establishing mechanisms to scale up digital, environmental, and inclusive innovation. The meeting also emphasized the creation of collaborative platforms and innovation frameworks to drive sustainable growth beyond 2025. The recommendations will inform ASEAN’s future research agenda and be further reviewed at COSTI-88, which Thailand will host in October 2025. As Thailand’s representative to the BAC, NXPO presented national priority areas for 2026–2030, including future food, personalized medicine, carbon capture and storage, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. NXPO also proposed feasible cooperation mechanisms to advance these STI areas at the ASEAN level.
