Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, on 15 February 2026, participated in the Munich Security Conference (MSC) Breakfast Session, themed “Bridges or Battlegrounds? Science Diplomacy between Hard Power and Big Tech.” SG Dr. Kao joined global leaders and experts in high-level discussions on the evolving role of science diplomacy amid intensifying geopolitical competition, the growing influence of big tech, and today’s complex global security challenges. He shared that an ASEAN Member State has expressed interest in establishing an ASEAN Science Diplomacy Centre—highlighting ASEAN’s strong commitment to leveraging science diplomacy as a strategic tool for cooperation, trust-building, and regional resilience.