The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) was honoured to participate in the Dialogue Partners Session titled “Towards Formulating an ‘ASEAN’ Roadmap in Science Diplomacy” on 19 June 2025, held in Jakarta, Indonesia. The event was organised in conjunction with the 21st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on STI (AMMSTI-21) and the 87th ASEAN Committee on STI Meeting (COSTI-87).
The event convened Southeast Asian policymakers, researchers, and institutional partners to explore how science diplomacy can support ASEAN’s sustainable development agenda and lay the groundwork for an ASEAN Science Diplomacy Roadmap.
ASEF’s Director of Education, Réka Tózsa, was invited as a distinguished speaker in the Dialogue Partners Panel, joining experts Dr Engin Koncagül (UNESCO Jakarta), Dr Arvin Diesmos (ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity), and Datuk Dr Mohd Nor Azman Hassan (MOSTI). The panel was moderated by Prof. Mohamad Osman, Director of the International Institute for Science Diplomacy and Sustainability (IISDS), UCSI University.
Science Diplomacy as a Tool for Regional Cooperation
The event, jointly organised by the International Institute of Science Diplomacy and Sustainability, UCSI University (UCSI-IISDS), the Malaysian Industry-Government on High Technology (MIGHT), and the National Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), underscored the growing recognition of science diplomacy as a strategic tool for regional collaboration.
In her intervention, Réka Tózsa shared key insights from ASEF’s recent research initiative, the Asia-Europe Report on Science & Technology Diplomacy Mapping, which analysed science diplomacy strategies and ecosystems across 41 countries in Asia and Europe, including 9 ASEAN Member States. Conducted in partnership with young researchers and policy experts from each country, the project offers a comprehensive comparative lens on the diverse ways SD is practiced, institutionalised, and leveraged.
Key Messages from ASEF
Réka’s remarks highlighted several major findings of the report and reflections:
- Science Diplomacy is on the rise, but is most often integrated into broader frameworks such as foreign policy, innovation, or sustainable development strategies. Only a few countries currently have standalone SD strategies.
- Top priorities of SD in Asia include enhancing economic competitiveness, building R&D capacity, and accessing global infrastructure; objectives that resonate strongly with ASEAN’s vision.
- Technology Diplomacy is a fast-growing focus, particularly with the rise of critical technologies (e.g., AI, biotech, quantum computing), often driven by the private sector. Réka emphasized the need for new approaches that engage not only states but also industry and academia across borders.
- Space Diplomacy, Science for Peacebuilding, and Multilateral Collaboration on Global Commons (like biodiversity and oceans) also emerged as key domains where ASEAN could lead through science diplomacy.
- Réka also pointed to the European Union’s recent efforts to develop a European Science Diplomacy Framework, noting several shared priorities with ASEAN, including foresight capacity, training of future science diplomats, and support for multistakeholder cooperation.
Building a Shared Science Diplomacy Vision for ASEAN
ASEF believes that ASEAN is well-positioned to become a global leader in science diplomacy by drawing on its strengths such as peacebuilding, multilateral regional collaboration, and people-centred approaches. ASEAN policymakers could consider developing institutional structures such as:
- An ASEAN Roadmap on Science Diplomacy
- A regional foresight and science advice platform
- Training schemes to empower the next generation of science diplomats
- Enhanced cooperation with civil society and private sector actors in this space
She added: “Science diplomacy offers ASEAN the means to not only respond to global challenges but help shape the joint solutions.”
ASEF’s Role in Promoting Asia-Europe Science Diplomacy
ASEF’s participation in the Dialogue reflects its ongoing commitment to strengthening Asia-Europe cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. As a unique intergovernmental platform bridging both regions, ASEF looks forward to continuing this collaboration with ASEAN stakeholders and supporting efforts to shape a shared roadmap for science diplomacy in the region.
Learn more about ASEF’s work in Science Diplomacy here.
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