​1. Brunei Darussalam demonstrated its continued engagement and involvement in advancing regional cooperation in science, technology, and innovation by attending the 21st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-21), the 87th ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-87), and other related meetings held from 16 to 20 June 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

2. The Brunei Darussalam delegation to the 21st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-21), held on 20th June 2025, was led by Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications. The Meeting was attended by ministers, high level representatives from all 10 ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and was chaired by His Excellency Dr. Laksana Tri Handoko, Chairman of Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). 

3. The 21st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-21), adopted and launched the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2026- 2035, which envisions a unified, innovative, future-ready and resilient ASEAN powered by science and technology in strategic areas such as health, energy, food and agriculture, technology transfer, blue economy, space and talent mobility to enhance regional competitiveness. Efforts are also proceeding to improve equitable access, human capital development, and innovation infrastructure. 

4. AMMSTI-21 also endorsed the 87th ASEAN COSTI report, which outlined the progress of the 2025 Annual Priorities (APs) and Priority Economic Deliverable (PEDs) under the Science, Technology and Innovation sector. These include: 

a. Integrating Artificial Intelligence into ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development (AJSTD) for Advanced Scholarly Analysis, led by Brunei Darussalam. 

b. Building ASEAN High Performance Computing (HPC) Infrastructure for Enabling Research in Advanced Computing, led by Indonesia. 

c. ASEAN Technology Startup Ignite programme, led by Malaysia. 

d. Enhancing Battery Safety in Enabling Energy Transition in ASEAN through ASEAN Battery Safety Network, led by Singapore. 

e. Strengthening ASEAN Research Cooperation on Nuclear Safety and Risk Assessment and Management, led by Thailand. 

f. The Engagement of the ASEAN Talent Mobility (ATM) Community, led by Thailand. 

5. At the same time, the meeting further endorsed two proposed PEDs for 2026, namely the Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Framework on AI For Health; and ASEAN Declaration on Sustainable Outer Space (ADSOS). 

6. In delivering his statement, Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato shared that Brunei Darussalam welcomes the endorsement of APASTI 2026–2035 as we are also currently developing our National Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy. The strategy will help chart our long-term direction by identifying focus areas, strengthening national capabilities, and ensuring our STI ecosystem caters to both domestic needs and regional opportunities. As such, we will also be aligning our national priorities with APASTI 2026-2035 to ensure coherence and complementarity. We also recognize the importance of collaboration in research and development to find solutions and support regional progress. 

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7. Yang Berhormat also reaffirmed Brunei Darussalam’s leadership in managing the ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development (AJSTD) initiative, implemented through University Brunei Darussalam (UBD). Efforts are currently underway to enhance the journal’s visibility and capability through artificial intelligence integration. 

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8. In addition, Yang Berhormat shared that Brunei Darussalam looks forward to operationalise the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change (ACCC), hosted by Brunei Darussalam. He welcomed ASEAN Member States support and envisioned the ACCC playing a key role in advancing climate-related science, promoting collaboration and helping ASEAN respond to climate challenges through innovation and knowledgesharing. 

9. AMMSTI-21 was preceded by the 87th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-87) and other related meetings, held from 16 to 19 June 2025. Brunei Darussalam was represented by Yang Mulia Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC), in his capacity as Brunei Darussalam’s Chair of ASEAN COSTI. The meetings were chaired by Her Excellency Dr. Boediastoeti Ontowirjo, Deputy for Research and Innovation Policy at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of Indonesia. 

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Prepared by: 

Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, 

Brunei Darussalam 

Email: erc@mtic.gov.bn