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YALE-NUS MODEL
ASEAN 2016
Study guide
ASEAN Ministerial Meeting
on Science and Technology
AMMST
Yale-NUS International
Relations And Political
Association (YIRPA)
Content page
The Dais 2
Topic A: Climate Technology and Ecosystem-based Adaptation 6
Topic background 7
Current Developments 8
Key Issues 10
Bloc Positions 12
Topic B: The Use of Biotechnology in Regional Development 15
Topic background 16
Current Developments 17
Key Issues 17
Bloc Positions 19
Bibliography 21
1 The Dais - AMMST -
The Dais
Lim Chu Hsien
Chair
Email: limchuhsien@yale-nus.edu.sg
Chu Hsien is a sophomore and Life Sciences
Major at Yale-NUS College. She started her
MUN journey as a delegate at PAMUN 2014 and
subsequently participated in NTUMUN 2015 as
a Press Corps member, winning the Best Press
Arvindh Chindambaram Ulagapan
Article award in the process. To gain a more Vice-Chair
comprehensive understanding of the operations
Email: aravindh987@gmail.com
behind organising such conferences, she took
on the role of Under Secretary-General of
Arvindh is in 2nd and final year in the Interna-
Publicity and Design for Yale-NUS Model
tional Baccalaureate Diploma Program at ACS
ASEAN 2015.
(Independent). Arvindh began his MUN journey
with IMUNC 2013 and has continued to take
part in many MUNs in Singapore. After taking
Nicholas Kuek part in a multitude of conferences as a delegate,
Arvindh moved on and became a Chair in
Vice-Chair
IMUNC 2015 and was part of the crisis team at
Email: kuekziwei@gmail.com
UNASMUN 2015. He is currently involved in the
planning of MES 2016 as the Deputy Secretary
Nicholas is currently in his final year of NUS
General. He is also the Vice-President of his
High School. First introduced to the world of
schools MUN CCA, the Young Diplomats
Model UN back in 2013, Nicholas has never
Society where he is actively involved in training
looked back since. Since then, Nicholas has
the next generation of MUNners.
been actively part of the MUN circuit,
participating and chairing in numerous
conferences both local and abroad, having
participated in YMA 2015 as a delegate as well.
Additionally, Nicholas is also heavily involved in
his high school’s very own conference, the
Sustainable Development Youth Convention
(SDYC).
3
ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING
on SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Background Information on Committee
ASEAN is no exception in recognising the importance of a strong Science & Technology (S&T)
foundation in today’s highly competitive climate. Since its establishment in 1967, ASEAN has been
conscious that challenges, such as natural disasters and epidemics, have increasing transboundary
consequences and efforts to tackle such challenges do not rest solely on any particular country (Pixl, 2016).
While ASEAN has been actively working together with its Dialogue and Sectoral Partners as well as
relevant international organisations to enhance S&T progress, ASEAN understands that a strong S&T
foundation ultimately hinges on a regional approach. Over the years, ASEAN has put in place several
initiatives as shown in the timeline below (ASNET, 2016).
Glossary of Terms
AMMST - ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology
APAST - ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and Technology
APASTI - ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation
IAMMST - Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology
4
The mandate for ASEAN’s cooperation in S&T is clearly highlighted in its declaration, states that
“ASEAN shall promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common interest in the
economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields and provide assistance to each
other in the form of training and research facilities in the educational, professional, technical and
administrative spheres” (ASNET, 2016). In fact, a key foundation of ASEAN’s 2020 vision is to build “a
technologically competitive ASEAN, competent in strategic and enabling technologies, with an adequate
pool of technologically qualified and trained manpower, and strong networks of scientific and
technological institutions and centers of excellence” (ASEAN, 2016). However, it has admittedly proved
difficult to ensure that all 10 developing ASEAN countries cooperate to achieve this S&T progress, as
there exists a substantial amount of heterogeneity in their current S&T states.
To address such disparities, ASEAN Ministerial Meeting of Science and Technology (AMMST) was
established in January 1989 to set policies that ensure an effective S&T cooperation that aligned with the
above-mentioned mandate and vision. AMMST’s chairmanship is rotated annually among the ASEAN
countries in alphabetical order, and synchronized with the Chairmanship of the Committee on Science
and Technology (COST). COST focuses on nine areas of S&T cooperation, namely (i) food science and
technology (ii) biotechnology, (iii) meteorology and geophysics, (iv) marine science and technology, (v)
non-conventional energy research, (vi) microelectronics and information technology, (vii) material science
and technology, (viii) space technology and applications, and (ix) S&T infrastructure and resources
development. The recent AMMST on 6 November 2015 also saw the adoption of the ASEAN Plan of
Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) for 2016-2025 as a guiding framework for S&T
cooperation. It ensured that ASEAN member states strategically identified and conceptualized
programmes and projects, which contributed to making ASEAN more “innovative, competitive, vibrant,
sustainable and economically integrated” (ASNET, 2016).
Tapping on the strengths of each member state, countries have also been assisting each other in providing
training and research amenities in the professional, technical, educational and administrative spheres.
Towards that end, S&T events, such as ASEAN Food Conference (AFC) and ASEAN Science and
Technology Week (ASTW) are frequently held to catalyst the cooperation between the government, private
industries and the scientific communities. Besides the top-down systemic efforts in ensuring S&T
development across countries, ASEAN also understands the need to instill a greater sense of awareness in
regard to the importance of S&T amongst its people. Such a bottom-up involvement is necessary to foster
a sustainable ecosystem of S&T innovation within the region.
5
Topic A
Climate Technology and Ecosystem-based Adaptation
6Topic A: Climate Technology and Ecosystem-based Adaptation
Topic Background tists – did global warming gain the attention of the
international community (Ibid.).
In the past century, rapid modernisation and
industrialisation saw the massive growth in econo- Since then, the international community has
mies all over the world. However, neglect for the taken collective action to mitigate and adapt to the
environment and exploitation of natural resources effects of global warming. One such initiative is
have since resulted in environmental degradation the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
and global warming. Since the mid 20th century, (IPCC), which aims to review "the scientific,
the global mean surface temperature has in- technical and socio-economic information
creased by 0.78 ± 0.06 °C (Stocker et al. 2014), relevant to understanding the scientific basis of
with each decade warmer than before. risk of human-induced climate change, its
potential impacts and options for
adaptation and mitigation" (Ibid.). The reports
produced by the IPCC serve as a basis and
foundation for governments to implement sound
global and national policies on combating climate
change.
In June of 1992, the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was
signed in Rio de Janeiro with the common aim of
“prevent(ing) dangerous anthropogenic
interference with the climate system”
(Introduction to the Convention, 2016). The
(Source: NASA) UNFCCC also encourages developed nations to
share information, technical assistance and
Climate change in the 20th and 21st centuries has expertise with developing nations so as to enable
been largely attributed to global warming, which all Parties to implement the convention at a
has accelerated in recent years due to the national level (UNFCCC, 2016). In 2010, a
enhanced greenhouse effect. The correlation Technology Mechanism was implemented at the
between the global surface temperatures and COP16 to facilitate technology sharing between
atmospheric CO2 concentrations was established countries (UNFCCC Technology Mechanism,
in 1938 (Le Treut et al. 2007) by Guy Stewart Cal- 2016). In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted as
lendar, which had since influenced scientific an extension to the UNFCCC, committing state
discourse significantly. However, the notion of an parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Kyoto
intensified greenhouse effect causing an increase Protocol, 2016). In addition to treaties and
in the global mean surface temperature was met conventions, agencies such as the United Nations
with mainstream skepticism and was dismissed by Environment Programme (UNEP) work to help
meteorologists (A Brief History of Climate nations implement policies in accordance to
Change, 2013). It was not until the 1980s – after international environmental conventions.
extensive research and repeated calls from scien-
7Topic A: Climate Technology and Ecosystem-based Adaptation
With the Earth’s surface temperature currently centres, networks, organisations and private sector
poised to increase at a rate of 0.2 °C per decade entities (Ibid.), which enables the CTCN to
(Projections of Future Changes in Climate, 2016), provide a wide range of information, vast sources
it is paramount that nations adopt the relevant of technical assistance, and extensive
technologies and practices needed to combat collaboration opportunities for developing
global warming. These are known as Climate countries.
Technologies. As defined by the IPCC, climate
technologies cover the equipment, techniques, Many other bilateral and multilateral networks ex-
practical knowledge or skills for performing a ist today with similar purposes of information-
particular activity that can be used to face climate exchange and promoting the adoption of climate
change (CTCN, 2016). However, this is easier said technologies. For instance, the ASEAN Climate
than done for developing countries which lack the Resilience Network (ACRN) serves as a network
resources and skilled labour to independently for ASEAN member states to cooperate and ex-
develop and implement such technologies and change information for the purpose of ensuring
practices. agricultural and food security at the regional level
(Promotion of Resilience of Rice and Other
One programme that aims to promote the use of Crops, 2016). Another such network is also the
such technology is the Climate Technology Asian Cities Climate Change Resilience Network
Initiative (CTI). Established at the first (ACCCRN), which aims to “build inclusive urban
Conferences of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC, climate change resilience” (About ACCCRN,
the CTI serves to propel the development and 2016).
adoption of “climate-friendly and environmentally
sound technologies and practices” by promoting As a regional body that promotes the cooperation
worldwide collaboration and information-sharing of member states - which are at various stages of
(What is CTI?, 2016). national development - ASEAN faces major chal-
lenges when it comes to taking concrete, collec-
tive action towards promoting climate technology.
Since 1977, ASEAN has invested significant
Current Developments
amounts of effort and resources into ensuring en-
vironmental sustainability throughout the region
In recent years, the international community has
via the ASEAN Cooperation on Environment. In
focused predominantly on climate change mitiga-
2009, the Blueprint for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural
tion and adaptation at both the global and re-
Community (ASCC) was launched, outlining ten
gional levels.
priorities of regional importance, one of them be-
ing climate change. As part of the Blueprint, one
The Climate Technology Centre and Network
of ASEAN’s strategic objectives is to develop envi-
(CTCN) was first conceptualised back in 2009,
ronmentally sound technology (otherwise known
before it was formally established as the
as climate technology) to achieve sustainable devel-
operational arm of the UNFCCC Technological
opment with minimal impact on the environment.
Mechanism in 2013 (CTCN, 2016). Similar to the
CTI, the CTCN serves as “a network of national,
regional, sectoral and international technology
8Topic A: Climate Technology and Ecosystem-based Adaptation
Sticking to the international community’s
commitment to help developing countries in
combating global warming, Ecosystem-based
Adaptation (EbA) has emerged as a simple,
cost-effective strategy to do so. EbA serves as an
integrated approach to adapting and mitigating
climate change while improving the livelihoods of
those living in developing countries and rural
communities (Making the Case for Ecosystem-
based Adaptation, 2016) (Ecosystem-based
Adaptation: A Natural Response to Climate
In 2004, the ASEAN Workshop on Change, 2009). Through measures aimed at
Environmentally Sound Technology (EST) and restoring, conserving, and sustaining the
Cleaner Production (CP) was held for member ecosystem, EbA makes use of the existing
states to discuss possible methods in promoting biodiversity and ecosystem services to help
the adoption of EST. Through the Workshop, communities adapt to the harmful effects of
member states agreed upon the creation of an global warming. Not only can these restored
ASEAN-level forum and network to share ecosystems serve as a natural buffer against the
experiences and information as well as to improve impact of climate change that is even more
government-business financial mechanisms to effective than man-made engineering structures
promote investment in EST. (Ibid.), they can also have the potential to mitigate
climate change via the sequestration of carbon
On a national level, countries have taken their (Ibid.). Additionally, EbA has been shown to
own measures in tackling climate change through generate significant economic and social
climate technology usage and development. For co-benefits, especially for countries and
example, Singapore launched the Sustainable communities which rely heavily on the ecosystem
Singapore Blueprint 2015, detailing Singapore’s for their work and lifestyle (Ibid.).
plans to become a more sustainable city-state. As
outlined in the Blueprint, Singapore strives to One such example of EbA is Green Coast (Ibid.), a
become a leading green economy and further coastal rehabilitation programme implemented in
develop “Eco-Smart” Endearing Towns, by the tsunami-affected coastal areas of several
promoting the integration of eco-friendly countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, and
technologies in housing estates and encouraging Malaysia. Through a community-based approach
businesses to adopt such technologies and in restoring and sustainably managing damaged
practices. Singapore also actively seeks to coastal ecosystems, the initiative has since helped
transform itself into a global hub for the business many regain their livelihoods. In addition, the
of sustainable development and climate newly restored coastal ecosystems serve to protect
technology. Launched in 2013, the Centre for the communities from the impacts of climate
Climate Research Singapore was established to change such as flooding and storms. In 2009, a
develop climate science capabilities for Singapore study conducted by the Asian Development Bank
and the region. listed long coastlines, as well as a high
9Topic A: Climate Technology and Ecosystem-based Adaptation
concentration of inhabitants and economic development (R&D) of climate technology.
activities in coastal areas as two of ASEAN’s Hence, technology development and transfer are
greatest vulnerabilities (ASEAN’s Response to key elements in many international climate change
Climate Change, 2016). With EbA, this can frameworks and initiatives.
potentially mitigate these risks and stabilise the
community.
Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most
vulnerable regions to climate change impacts such
as droughts, floods, typhoons, sea level rises, and
heat waves, which can pose a grave threat to the
agricultural sector. According to the International
Rice Research Institute, every 1℃ increase in
temperature can potentially reduce rice yield by up
to 10%. This has become a matter of serious
concern for ASEAN as agriculture is a major (Source: Who Owns Our Low Carbon Future? Intel-
component of many member states’ economies. lectual Property and Energy Technologies)
As a regional body, ASEAN has placed strong
emphasis in promoting environmental However, certain barriers prevent the effective trans-
cooperation amongst member states. Reflected by fer of climate technology to developing countries,
the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint one of which being intellectual property rights.
(ASEAN Cooperation on Climate Change, 2016) Over the past decade, with climate technology
which aims to ensure environmental sustainability, being increasingly sought after, private corporations
climate change and promoting environmentally have ventured into the field of climate technology
sound technologies are some of the key areas of as a potentially lucrative source of revenue. As a
cooperation in ASEAN. result, there has been a steep increase in the
number of climate-related technology patents filed
(Lee et al. 2009). This is a worrying concern for
Key Issues developing countries, as these climate technologies
are in the hands of private, for-profit corporations.
Reluctant to freely share their climate technologies
Climate Technology Transfer
with developing countries in a timely fashion, these
According to the Fourth Assessment Report of the
corporations impose high licensing fees and
IPCC, in order for the rise in global average
transfer outdated climate technologies instead,
temperatures to remain below 2°C, global
imposing various conditions to be met (Climate
greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2020
Change & Technology Transfer: Addressing Intellec-
and be reduced by 50-85% below 2000 levels
tual Property Issues, 2016). This has served as a
before 2050 (Technical Summary: IPCC, 2007). This
roadblock for various information-sharing
requires the acceleration of the worldwide
initiatives such as the CTCN and CTI, preventing
deployment of climate technology so as to reduce
them from freely sharing and implementing
greenhouse gas emissions. However, developing
patented knowledge and technologies.
countries lack the technical expertise and political
will to conduct their own research and
10Topic A: Climate Technology and Ecosystem-based Adaptation
While it has been argued that climate technology How can ASEAN empower developing countries
patents are rarely granted in developing countries, and promote access to climate technology in a
other barriers still remain. Between 1980 to 2009, sustainable manner?
less than 1% of the climate-related technology
patent applications were filed in Africa (Ibid.). Institutional Integration
However, the fact remains that developing While climate technology has been widely
countries are unable to independently develop acknowledged to be a necessary measure that
and produce climate technologies due to their needs to be adopted, it is not easily achievable
existing limitations. As a result, developing especially in developing countries. Many private
countries may be forced to turn to the patent- corporations do not have the necessary means to
owning foreign corporations to help them develop do so, such as the lack of expertise and monetary
and manufacture the technology – at a high cost funds. In addition, developing countries may be
(Ibid.). reluctant to facilitate the adoption of climate
technology as there is the concern that doing so
Hence, the effectiveness of climate technology might hamper the economy’s growth and national
transfer comes into question as developing development due to increased costs and delays.
countries are not given the adequate resources
and technical expertise to even implement them. Implementing an Ecosystem-based Adaptation
How can ASEAN break down these barriers and (EbA) approach demands extensive cooperation
implement provisions to incentivise private, and collaboration between many stakeholders –
patent-owning corporations to transfer climate technical experts, government ministries, commu-
technology to developing nations under nities, and the private sector. With each
reasonable conditions? stakeholder operating independently of each
other, this makes EbA an extremely difficult task
Climate Technology Development to implement and coordinate (Making the Case for
Today, climate technology development is mostly Ecosystem-based Adaptation, 2016). In addition, it
spearheaded by private corporations based in is important to consult and communicate the
developed countries (Ibid.). As mentioned earlier, community in order to fully understand their
developing countries do not have the necessary needs, lifestyle, and culture. This is to help tailor
means to develop climate technology, and hence an optimised EbA approach that would be for the
have to rely on developed countries and maximum benefit of the community and
corporations for sharing of technology and environment (Ibid.). However, this can be
technical expertise. However, this begs the hampered by a lack of knowledge and
question of potential over-reliance on foreign understanding on both sides, which can
assistance. potentially result in misunderstandings, conflict
and delays in implementation. As a result, it is
In order for a developing country to truly become simply not viable for EbA to be implemented on a
self-sustaining, financial assistance and resource national level across the entire country given the
empowerment is necessary. By providing the massive coordination needed on the part of the
developing country with the necessary means to organiser.
carry out its own R&D, dependency on developed
countries and corporations can be vastly reduced.
11Topic A: Climate Technology and Ecosystem-based Adaptation
With that in mind, how can the implementation of involving a greater number of ministries and stake-
EbA and adoption of climate technology be holders. As a developing country, Cambodia lacks
further streamlined and integrated into national the human capital and economic power to fund
policy, while ensuring that developing countries climate technology R&D, hence Cambodia will
are not placed at a disadvantage? need to depend on external sources to pitch in.
Malaysia
Bloc Positions Malaysia has made strides in reducing greenhouse
emissions, as part of its plan to pursue green
growth for sustainability and resilience. Numerous
Singapore
projects have been implemented, such as
As a city-state with limited land area, Singapore
household recycling and promoting the use of
has been heavily dependent on fossil fuels for
renewable energy. In its Intended Nationally
energy production. Despite this, Singapore has
Determined Contribution (INDC) submission to
committed to reducing its emissions intensity by
the United Nations, Malaysia has committed to
36% from 2005 levels by 2030. Singapore has since
reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 35%
switched from fuel oil to natural gas, a cleaner
unconditionally and by a further 10% upon receipt
form of fossil fuel. The island-nation has also
of financing, technology transfer, and capacity
promised to commit more funds to low-carbon,
building from other countries. Under the Tenth
climate technology research. Most recently, the
Malaysia Plan which details Malaysia’s approach to
Cambridge Centre for Carbon Reduction in
various issues over the course of five years from
Chemical Technology (C4T) was set up in the
2011-2015, the government has introduced
National University of Singapore with the purpose
national standards for the energy performance of
of reducing the carbon footprint of chemical
electrical appliances and a Green Technology
processes via carbon capture and other methods,
Financing Scheme (GTFS) amongst other
emerging as a regional hub for climate technology
measures, actively promoting the use of climate
research. Singapore will have to balance the costs
technology.
and benefits between encouraging climate
technology sharing and attracting more foreign
climate technology corporations. Indonesia
In 2009, Indonesia committed to the target of a
26% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Cambodia
by 2020 unconditionally. As part of Indonesia’s
Cambodia’s economy relies heavily on the
efforts, the National Action Plans for GHG
agricultural sector. Hence, climate change is a
Emission Reduction and Climate Change
major concern for Cambodia. In 2006, Cambodia
Adaptation are currently being implemented and
established the National Climate Change
integrated into national policy, setting sector-
Committee (NCCC), reaffirming its commitment to
specific goals and actions to be taken. In addition,
reducing greenhouse emissions. The NCCC serves
the Indonesian Climate Change Trust Fund
as a platform for inter-ministerial coordination
(ICCTF) was established to promote and develop
with regards to tackling climate change. The
expertise, institutional integration, and
recent establishment of the National Council for
Sustainable Development (NCSD) in 2015 has
since largely replaced the NCCC, with the NCSD
12Topic A: Climate Technology and Ecosystem-based Adaptation
implementation of climate-friendly technologies. actions include electricity tariff reforms, energy
However, the ICCTF’s relatively low capital has efficiency standards, and financial incentivisation.
hampered the effectiveness of the fund. Brunei also commits to strengthening its efforts
by promoting the cooperation of various stake-
Philippines holders through the integration of action plans
In response to calls for action towards the into a “national holistic and coordinated plan”.
mitigation of climate change, the Philippines
passed the Climate Change Act of 2009, Thailand
establishing the Climate Change Commission In Thailand, the Office of Natural Resources and
(CCC) under the Office of the President. The role Environmental Policy and Planning (through the
of the CCC is to “coordinate, monitor and evaluate Office of Climate Change Coordination) is the
the programs and action plans of the government nation’s main control centre when it comes to
relating to climate change”. The CCC aims to taking action with regards to climate change at
further streamline intra-governmental both the state and national level. Several national
coordination and cooperation by formulating a policies regarding climate change have been
framework strategy and synchronising the action passed, including the National Strategy on
plans of various government agencies and non- Climate Change and the Thailand Climate Change
governmental organisations. The CCC also plays Master Plan 2012-2050. These policies provide a
an active role in supporting the Low Emission framework of integrated action plans that aim to
Capacity Building (LECB) programme, an tackle climate change without impeding the
initiative of the United Nations Development national economy. Proposed actions include the
Programme. Since the establishment of the CCC, creation of a financial mechanism to help
the Philippines has developed Nationally- organisations cope with the adoption of climate
Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) and Low technology and other practices, and imposing a
Emission Development Strategy (LEDS) Sectoral Carbon Tax.
Roadmaps along with Measurement, Reporting
and Verification (MRV) Systems and other actions Laos
to adequately ensure that the Philippines is able As 75% of its population depends on natural
to meet its committed GHG emission reduction resources for their livelihood, the effects of
target. climate change pose a severe threat to the
population and economy of Laos. Laos first began
Brunei with the initial goal of raising awareness of
In 2014, Brunei targeted a 63% reduction in its climate change within the nation. Subsequently,
total energy consumption by 2035. As part of its Laos has taken more concrete action with the
“Wawasan Brunei 2035” national vision, Brunei approval of the National Strategy on Climate
aims to implement a sustainable economy that Change (NSCC), which identifies multiple areas of
emphasises on climate technology and focus. Tackling climate change was also a major
eco-friendly practices. Brunei’s planned climate component under consideration for the drafting
change mitigation efforts have been focused of Laos’ Seventh National Socio-Economic
primarily on energy-related policies, promoting Development Plan (2011-2015). Laos has yet to
the use of energy-efficient technologies and engage in projects that promote the adoption of
renewable energy sources. Examples of such climate technology apart from areas such as water
13Topic A: Climate Technology and Ecosystem-based Adaptation
and agriculture, instead focusing on disaster risk vulnerable to climate change. Through the GCCA,
reduction. Myanmar is expected to draft and implement a
national strategy across all sectors, mainstreaming
Vietnam climate change into policy development.
Vietnam is one of the world’s most vulnerable
countries to climate change due to its high
population densities in river deltas and coastal
areas. In recent years, the government of Vietnam
has made strides in tackling climate change by
implementing strategies and related programmes
such as the National Target Plan to Respond to
Climate Change (NTP-RCC), and the National
Climate Change Strategy. Respective government
ministries have also drafted their own target plans
to implement such as the Ministry of Industry and
Trade. As outlined in the NTP-RCC, Vietnam aims
to develop an advanced R&D programme, raise
awareness, promote capacity building, and
integrate the NTP-RCC’s aims into all other
government ministries’ plans. Vietnam has also
passed laws mandating energy efficiency
standards, energy conservation, and
environmental protection.
Myanmar
The National Commission for Environmental
Affairs (NCEA) was set up in 1990 to set the
national direction for climate change actions. In
2011, the NCEA was revamped into the National
Environmental Conservation Committee (NECC),
which is in charge of developing climate change-
policies and actions, such as the National
Adaptation Programme of Action to Climate
Change. Myanmar has since set up an
Environmental Performance Assessment
mechanism to evaluate the effectiveness of
government policy and actions related to climate
change. In 2007, the Global Climate Change
Alliance (GCCA) was set up by the European
Union to promote cooperation and provide
economic support to developing countries
14TOPIC B
The Use of Biotechnology in Regional Development
15Topic B: The Use of Biotechnology in Regional Development
Topic Background
The investment in biotechnological progress as
one of the main goals in ASEAN’s S&T
Cooperation is clearly reflected through the
creation of the Sub-Committee of Biotechnology
(SUB) in 1989. Defined as “the use of living
systems and organisms to develop or make
products, or "any technological application that
uses biological systems, living organisms or
derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or
processes for specific use" by the United Nations
Convention on Biological Diversity, Art.2 (UNEP),
biotechnology has undoubtedly contributed
significantly to various areas, such as national Besides that, one prominent example highlighting
security, environmental protection and healthcare. ASEAN’s successful commitment to promoting
the use of biotechnology is through its
SUB was conceptualised to enhance regional participation in the UNEP-Global Environment
cooperation and development of biotechnology in Facility Coordination National Biosafety
the following areas (ASTNET, 2016) : Frameworks Development Project (UNEP-GEF
1) betterment and production of specific NBF) from 2002-2006 (Napompeth, 2010). This
biomaterials in agriculture and industry; 2) bio- NBF was made up of “policy, legal, administrative
technology application to increase the quality and and technical instruments that were set in place to
production of plants, animals and their product; address safety for the environment and human
3) pilot scale design and computer controls of health in relation to modern biotechnology”
biological reactor; 4) medical advancement; and (UNEP). SUB has also been continuously striving
5) enhance human resources in developing to promote technology transfer and licensing as
biotechnology. Since then, SUB has been well as exploring potential joint ventures with
committed to growing the regional network on counterparts in the private sectors.
biotechnology for best practices to be shared in
more integrated and systematic manners by
organising various seminars and workshop with
funding supports Dialogue Partners (Table 1) (Tam-
bunan, 2012).
16Topic B: The Use of Biotechnology in Regional Development
Current Developments project also managed to groom several students to
win scholarships such as “SIDA scholarships to
Throughout the years, SUB’s priorities have study at the Asian Institute of Technology,
shifted according to the needs of the region. UNESCO International Postgraduate Course in
While past priority areas for 2007-2011 included Biotechnology, scholarships to study in Germany
food and horticultural crops, improvement of and Canada”(HRD, 2016).
livestock production, bioremediation,
bioprospecting, value-addition to natural products
and bioinformatics, priority areas for 2012-2015 Key Issues
are more focused on agri-biotechnology;
healthcare biotechnology, emerging technology as Food Security
well as bioprocessing (ASTNET, 2016). Under the ASEAN is a region where most countries
ASEAN Plan of Action on Science and primarily rely on local agriculture, or that of their
Technology for 2007-2011, cost-shared projects neighbours, for food and economic growth.
have enabled countries to share resources and Hence, it remains unmistakable that ASEAN’s
achieve maximal output that will in turn benefit efforts to develop the use of biotechnology have
the entire region. Researchers involved in such been strongly connected to ensuring food security
projects are able to transfer their knowledge and as is especially pertinent for the survival of this
know-how with their respective local region. Coined in 1996 during the World Food
counterparts, thereby creating a sustainable Summit, food security exists when all people, at
system of information sharing. all times, have physical and economic access to
sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets
One interesting case study to consider is a their dietary needs and food preferences for an
shared-cost project called, “Human Resource active and healthy life (WHO). Since 1967,
Development in biotechnology for Cambodia, ASEAN has been working on regional food
Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam” (CLMV). It was security through cooperation in exchanging
initiated in 2011 with Thailand serving as the information, crop production, postharvest and
infrastructural base. By targeting the roots that handling, training and extension, R&D as well as
caused the shortage of skilled human resource in trade promotion in the areas of crops, livestock,
biotechnology in CLMV, this project addressed fisheries and forestry (AMAF). The ASEAN-
problems such as the “lack of facilities, Australia Cooperation Project-Phase I and II:
equipment, technical know-how, limited R&D in Plant Extracts and Carbohydrate Biotechnology
biotechnology; and inadequate training facilities Project, completed in 1994 also saw many food-
and equipment” (HRD, 2016). Young and budding related objectives being met. Some examples were
researchers are given basic and advanced training, adding value of starchy products such as cassava
in courses such as “plant biotechnology, food and sago to glucose sugar and developing
safety analysis, biodiversity and bio-resource therapeutically and biologically active substance
utilization”(HRD, 2016). The success of this from plants (Tambunan, 2012).
project is clearly reflected in the increased in
number of applicants, which grew from 40 in 2003 In fact, the 1998 Hanoi Plan of Action (HPA), one
to 74 in 2008. Besides receiving positive feedback of the most impactful regional action plans that
from both the trainers and the trainees, this have since served as a guideline for the
17Topic B: The Use of Biotechnology in Regional Development
implementations of activities under the SCB, reserves as a regional public good, particularly for
zoomed in specifically on food, agriculture and rice, a major staple throughout Asia. However, in
forestry products besides science & technology practice, there remains much to be done for such
and the environment (Tambunan, 2012). ASEAN international food reserves to live up to their
members agreed to conduct collaborative research initial expectation (Roehlano, 2011).
to develop novel technologies for “food,
agriculture and forestry production, post-harvest G e n e t i c a l l y M o d i fi e d C r o p s ( G M O )
and processing activities” and share their results Since 2001, ASEAN has been contributing to the
with each other. They also highlighted the harmonised guidelines on risk assessment of
pressing need to develop innovative solutions to agriculture-related Genetically Modified
reduce costs for the inputs for food, agriculture Organisms (GMO) under the UNEP-GEF National
and forestry production. Biosafety Frameworks (NBF) Development Project
(UNEP). Such a framework has also facilitated the
In 2007-2008, when world food prices dramatically establishment of a National Authority on Genetic
increased, a widely-believed reason for this crisis Modification in each member country (UNEP),
was interestingly attributed to the growth of the which oversees regulations in regard to GMOs.
middle class in Asia. This increased in Asian ASEAN has also been involved in many policy-
affluence had resulted in a change in lifestyle and making mechanisms that are related to food and
eating habits, which included a demand for agriculture production, such as the FAO regional
greater variety of food. This demand, put against Project on Capacity Building in Biosafety of GM
the already high demand by western nations for Crops in Asia from 2003-2005 (Napompeth, 2010).
already strained agricultural resources, drove food
prices up (BBC, 2008). Specifically for ASEAN, The significance of agricultural biotechnology as a
this crisis was worsened by a huge drop in rice tool to sustainably enhance food productivity is
exports by Myanmar due to neglect in maintaining recently highlighted through the establishment of
infrastructure essential to rice production the ASEAN Genetically Modified Food Testing
(irrigation, warehousing etc). Cyclone Nargis on Network (ASEAN GMF Net). On 28-29 July 2015,
3rd May 2008 worsened the agricultural scene by ASEAN GMF Net was organised with the aim of
ruining large areas with salt water. The ruling pooling in resources to assist member states
military regime was (and is) said to continue to increase their capabilities to carry out scientific
export rice at the same rate without assisting the evaluations of agriculture-related GMOs. This
local rice crisis. Philippines ran risks of food riots highlighted that ASEAN clearly recognises the
in April 2008 (United Press International, 2008) as key role of having scientifically validated
the government strove to convince the World frameworks and risk assessment regulations in
Bank to exert pressure on rice exporting countries evaluating its food products for safe and effective
to end export restrictions (Al Jazeera, 2008). In consumption.
response to this crisis, the 14th ASEAN Summit
set Food Security as a ‘permanent and high policy However, some countries currently do not have
priority’ in 2009. They established a long-term established policies in regard to the
mechanism for the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency implementation of GMOs for direct consumption
Rice Reserve (APTERR) and put in place a sound or processing. For example, in Vietnam, labelling
theoretical basis to justify emergency food regulations of GM soybeans and maize are still in
18Topic B: The Use of Biotechnology in Regional Development
the process of being developed and enforced. Thailand and Malaysia (ASEAN Plan, 2013). Due
There remains a pertinent need for more to limited scientific resources, very little is known
resources to be pumped into the detection, of the microorganisms existing in respective
handling, identifying, monitoring and assessing environments. Using approaches such as DNA
the risk of GMO. Intricately connected to such isolation, cloning and transformation, this project
health concerns is in regard to GMO food seeks to build a genomic library consisting of
labelling. In Singapore, the Agri-Food & microbes from extreme environments, such as hot
Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and springs, deep sea and volcanic soil (ASEAN Plan,
Genetic Modification Advisory Committee 2013). In addition to that, the development of
(GMAC) have had significant dealings with reverse genetics-based vaccines against highly
addressing such concerns. Since many of its food pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses is
products are imported from countries that use another initiative that is funded by various
GMO crops, such as USA and Canada, countries, such as Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam
Singapore’s food products that have corn and and Malaysia (ASEAN Plan, 2013). This project
soybean are most likely contain genetically has improved ASEAN’s ability to withstand a
modified parts too. Although AVA has ensured H5N1 regional outbreak.
that all imported food have passed their health
and safety requirements, citizens are still
demanding for GMO food labelling so that they Bloc Positions
can make better choices.
Thailand
Overall, the above-mentioned situations in the Thailand is one of the most advanced ASEAN
respective ASEAN countries suggest that a countries in terms of S&T. Since 1983, Thailand
fundamental scientific consensus on the safety of has set up the National Center for Genetic
GMO together with its benefits and costs remains Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), which
key for the adoption of GMOs food products. has become a core centre spearheading
biotechnology developments. In fact, BIOTEC
Research and Development prepared the National Biotechnology Policy
To facilitate the trade and research of Framework from the years 2004-2009 (Napompeth,
biotechnology among ASEAN member states, 2010). In regard to GM crops, Thailand has
existing policies regarding biotechnology and recently banned the production of GMO crops in
biosafety under different national authorities in the country via bill passed on 15 December 2015.
each member state of ASEAN should be (The Phuket News, 2015) However, it remains
standardized. Given ASEAN’s highly difficult to ensure the removal of imported GMO
heterogeneous R&D development across the crops from the existing market and thereby,
region, this would allow member states to remain suggests the need for a stricter national enforce-
competitive in the international arena. ment.
One example of a collaborative R&D project by
SUB is related to the construction and analysis of
metagenomics libraries of extreme environments
and involves the collaboration between Indonesia,
19Topic B: The Use of Biotechnology in Regional Development
Malaysia Singapore
It is well established globally that Malaysia is an With a highly progressive biotechnology
active biotechnology hub in the Asia Pacific development, Singapore is undoubtedly leading
region. In fact, it is ranked fourth internationally the way in the region, especially in the areas of
for Biotech Enterprise Support in the Scientific medical and health innovations. This can be
American report (Malaysia, 2015). Biotechnology observed with the increasing presence of global
Corporation (BiotechCorp), Malaysia’s lead multinational pharmaceutical companies who are
biotechnology agency is increasingly dominating leveraging on Singapore’s biotechnological
the ASEAN market ; ASEAN’s pharmaceutical progress, such as Medtronic, GlaxoSmithKline,
market demand in the region reached $21.3 Novartis and Takeda (EDB, 2016). Singapore is
billion in 2014. Malaysia is also set to host the also well known for its cutting edge biomedical
upcoming BioMalaysia & Asia-Pacific Bioeconomy research, which is primarily spearheaded by the
2016 for industry experts to congregate. In regard Agency for Science, Technology and Research
to GMO, instead of banning them, Malaysia (A*Star) among many biomedical institutions.
approves eight GM maize/corn and six GM However, although a massive amount of
soybean products, under the National Biosafety investment has been poured into funding such
Act 2007 (Idris, 2015). However, international biotechnological research, the discovery rate of
bodies have warned Malaysia to take more medicine has not kept up with it. More
precaution with respect to GMOs as there remains collaborative effort from pharmaceutical
much unknown health risks associated with them companies, health authorities and government
(Idris, 2015). within ASEAN is needed for the development of
novel solutions to treating both acute and chronic
Philippines diseases (EDB, 2016).
By establishing the National Committee on
Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP), Philippines
has been set the record as the first ASEAN
country to start a biotechnology regulatory system.
This has since paved the way in the production of
agricultural biotechnology crops for its
neighboring countries in the region to model
after. Despite that, the nation is still facing many
challenges in regard to regulating GMO food
products. In November 2015, environmental
groups such as Greenpeace, Magsasaka at
Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura
(MASIPAG) and Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya
(Sibat), urged the government to reconsider the
policy integration that favoured GMO
development, as there remained legal objections
from its local community (Eco-Business, 2016).
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