Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid, Joint Chairman of the Malaysian Industry–Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT)/ Founding Director of International Institute of Science Diplomacy and Sustainability (IISDS-UCSI), on the sidelines of the 39th Asia-Pacific Roundtable, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The discussion centred on the way forward on Malaysia’s proposal to establish an ASEAN Centre for Science Diplomacy (ACSD), aimed at advancing science-informed policymaking, strengthening capacity-building, and promoting knowledge exchange across ASEAN Member States. The meeting also underscored the importance of science diplomacy as a bridge for regional cooperation, in alignment with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2026–2035. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to harnessing science diplomacy as a strategic tool for regional resilience, sustainability, and inclusive development.
