Exchange Powerful Catalyst for Co-creation

Hem Vanndy shares his views on how the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) represents a novel paradigm for equitable science, technology and innovation (STI) cooperation.

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

Ministers from 41 countries convened to participate in the second Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange (BRST). The message conveyed was unequivocal: a resounding affirmation of support for this initiative, which is designed to facilitate technology transfer, foster knowledge sharing, and strengthen global cooperation in the realm of innovation and technological development. Cambodia stands among the numerous nations firmly committed to this vision.

In addition to endorsing the initiative, Cambodia has proposed four forward-thinking, actionable pathways to catalyze progress: the Lancang-Mekong Innovation Corridor, shared innovation platforms, inclusive technology governance, and the ASEAN framework.

In my opinion, the BRI in the field of science and technology represents a novel paradigm for equitable STI cooperation, empowering emerging economies to actively influence the trajectory of innovation.

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

In 2020, Cambodia launched its STI Roadmap 2030, emphasizing five key pillars: governance, education, research, collaboration, and ecosystem development. Cambodia has opened up cooperation on STI at both the regional and international levels. In my opinion, science should be positioned as a means to facilitate human development through cooperation. Furthermore, I encourage every leader to consider the importance of science diplomacy.

In collaboration with China, Cambodia has adopted a dual-track approach in working with our partners. This approach ensures that innovation outcomes are both locally impactful and globally integrated. Here's how we're achieving this delicate but vital balance:

We focus on demand-driven project design. This means we prioritize joint initiatives that directly align with our national development goals. Consider projects such as digital infrastructure, AI, data science, food, and biotechnology — projects that address the real needs of our people and economy.

We emphasize local capacity building. Technology transfer under the BRI is not solely about importing hardware; it is also about investing in our people. This includes robust training programs, S&T people-to-people exchange programs, and crucial R&D partnerships designed to build long-term local expertise within Cambodia.

Finally, we champion multi-stakeholder governance. To ensure transparency and mutual benefit, we have established joint committees with our Chinese partners. These committees are crucial because they involve not only government officials but also local businesses, academia, and communities directly involved in the project-planning process.

With the fast Chinese technology development, taking into account Cambodia's local contextual knowledge, we are confidently turning Belt and Road cooperation into a powerful catalyst for sustainable development. This approach respects our unique needs while simultaneously keeping Cambodia competitive on the global stage.

What are your expectations for future Belt and Road scientific exchanges?

It's exciting to look ahead at the future of the BRI's scientific exchanges. We see these exchanges evolving into a powerful catalyst for co-creation, moving beyond simple collaboration. Our expectations center on the following transformative shifts: From technology transfer to joint innovation and institutionalizing science diplomacy.

Our ultimate vision for the BRI is an ecosystem where every participating nation brings its unique strengths whether that's raw materials, exceptional talent, or niche expertise to a shared innovation environment.

Source: Science and Technology Daily