LONDON, Nov. 18 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
Bangkok, 10 November 2025- The United Kingdom, in partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat anddeliveredby the NationalCenterfor Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), convened a high-levelsymposium on"Fostering UK-ASEAN Partnerships in Responsible Research and Innovation for Engineering Biology"at Eastin Grand HotelPhayathai, Bangkok.
Theeventpromotescollaboration and knowledge exchange between the United Kingdom and ASEAN Member States in the field ofEngineering Biology (EB), emphasisingResponsible Research and Innovation (RRI)to ensure that applications of engineering biology are safe, ethical, inclusive, and sustainable for society and the environment.Opening remarks were delivered byMr. David Thomas, Charged'Affaires,British Embassy Bangkok;Dr.PunpermsakAruni, Assistant Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), Thailand; andDr. Surina Mokhtar,Head of S&T Division,the ASEAN Secretariat.
Marking the third collaboration between the UK and ASEAN in this domain, and funded by the UK Government, the event brought together over50participantsconsisting of policymakers, funding agencies, academia, startups, and industry representatives from ASEAN Member States and the UK. It served as a platform for experts to exchange insights and define strategic directions forleveragingengineering biology to advance the bioeconomy in ASEAN, while addressing social and ethical considerations.
Key Highlights:
* Day 1 (10 Nov):Focused on the context and significance of engineering biology in the UK and ASEAN, responsible research practices, and standards in EB. Featured speakers includedProfessor Chris Johnson, Chief Scientific Adviser, UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, andDr.KanyawimKirtikara, President ofThailand Academy of Science and Technology.
* Day 2 (11 Nov):Explored gene-editing techniques and agricultural applications, alongside policy discussions, ethical considerations, and investment opportunities in EB.
* Day 3 (12 Nov):Examined EB applications in healthcare and precision medicine, as well as future opportunities and challenges for EB in ASEAN.
The seminar underscored the potential for advancing engineering biology,policy development,and workforce capacity across Thailand and the ASEAN region, while reinforcing UK-ASEAN cooperation to expand future collaborative initiatives.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
