Scientific Cooperation Reshapes Global Innovation Landscape

Belt and Road scientific cooperation is reshaping the global innovation landscape and creating significant opportunities for developing countries to participate in international science, technology, and innovation (STI) governance. This is the message from Supamas Isarabhakdi, as she sits down with S&T Daily for this exclusive interview.

How do you see the role of Belt and Road science cooperation?

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is playing a significant role in building a global network of STI collaboration, especially by providing developing countries with access to advanced knowledge and technologies.

For example, cooperation in joint laboratories for smart agricultural technology and the development of natural disaster early warning systems in Southeast Asia reflect efforts to share benefits and create a new balance in global STI governance.

How is Thailand working with Chinese partners to ensure that BRI innovations directly address local development needs while maintaining global objectives?

Thailand emphasizes establishing a framework for STI cooperation that responds to national-level needs while aligning with global trends and objectives. In collaboration with China, joint working groups have been established in both education and STI development to promote close coordination between relevant agencies from both countries.

Moreover, this cooperation not only focuses on exchanging and transferring needed technologies but also considers elevating the roles of Thailand and China in co-creating knowledge and innovations to address global challenges such as climate change, food security, energy, space technology, and natural resource management. Thus, it is not merely about receiving technology from China, but rather about jointly developing new knowledge applicable within both Thai and Chinese contexts, with potential for regional and international scalability.

What mechanisms has Thailand found most effective for translating scientific cooperation into tangible benefits for people?

Thailand has identified several key mechanisms that effectively translate scientific collaboration into tangible public benefits, such as poverty alleviation through STI.

China announced its success in eliminating poverty domestically in 2021 and is willing to share its knowledge and models with other countries in Southeast Asia. Thailand has initiated joint poverty alleviation cooperation with China. When implemented in alignment with Thailand's policies, these mechanisms ensure that BRI-related STI cooperation delivers truly sustainable and inclusive positive impacts to the general population.

What are your expectations for future BRI scientific exchanges?

I expect that scientific exchanges under the BRI framework will expand collaborative efforts in frontier technology research areas such as AI, biotechnology, and clean energy, as well as foster cooperation to tackle increasingly severe global challenges like climate change and food security.

Furthermore, the BRI should enhance its role as a cooperative network linking sub-regional cooperation goals with global networks such as UNESCO and the World Economic Forum to advance STI partnerships that are inclusive and ethical.

Supamas Isarabhakdi is Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of Thailand.

Source: Science and Technology Daily