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The 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-20), The 85th ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-85) and Other Related Meetings, Siem Reap, Cambodia 3-7 June 2024

Brunei Darussalam participated in the 20th ASEAN Ministers Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-20), which was held on 7th June 2024, the 85th ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI-85) and other related meetings, which took place from 4th June to 6th  June 2024, in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The Brunei Darussalam delegation to the 20th ASEAN Ministers Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-20), was led by Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications. During the meeting, Yang Berhormat, Minister of Transport and Infocommunications shared the view that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play an important role in shaping ASEAN’s future and highlighted its transformative potential in driving innovation and economic growth.
This year, the AMMSTI-20 was chaired by His Excellency Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI) of Cambodia. Among the matters discussed during the meeting was the endorsement of the report from the 85th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-85). The report outlined several outcomes achieved, including;

1. The implementation status of 2024 Priority Economic Deliverable (PED) and Annual Priority Projects (Annual Priorities – AP) under the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) sector, namely;

  1. (PED) Establish an ASEAN Online Education Platform for Industry 4.0
  2. (AP) Establishing the ASEAN Technology Management Hub (Phase III)
  3. (AP) Developing the ASEAN Regional Research Infrastructure Strategy (Phase II)
  4. (AP) Developing the ASEAN Regional Research Infrastructure Strategy (Phase II)
  5. (AP) Establishing the ASEAN Startup Initiative
  6. (AP) Establishing the ASEAN Talent Mobility Community.
  7. (AP) Implementing the ASEAN Energy Resilience Assessment Guideline: Capacity Building on Energy Resilience Assessment.

2. Commencement of work in preparing the ASEAN Science, Technology and Innovation Action Plan (APASTI) 2026-2035, which is expected to be reported during AMMSTI-21.

3. Endorsement of a Priority Economic Deliverable (PED) for 2025 under the STI sector, entitled Establishing ASEAN Technology Startup Ignite.

4. The launch of the ASEAN COSTI Tracks on AI (ACT on AI) 2024-2025 during the opening ceremony of the AMMSTI-20, namely five AI-related projects supported by Dialogue Partners which will further strengthen ASEAN as a competitive player in the global AI landscape.

5. The AMMSTI-21 will be hosted by Indonesia and tentatively scheduled for June 2025.

The Meeting also exchanged views on “AI Applications: Navigating the Future” and endorsed the “AMMSTI Statement on AI,” which emphasizes fostering cooperation in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The AMMSTI Statement on AI highlighted the importance of investing in AI infrastructure to support the advancement and deployment of responsible AI applications and services throughout ASEAN. Additionally, the Statement underscored the need for robust data governance frameworks to safeguard data privacy, security, and integrity while promoting data sharing and innovation within AI applications. These steps are crucial to ensuring that AI technologies contribute to the inclusive and sustainable development of the region.
During the exchange of views session, Yang Berhormat Minister of Transport and Infocommunications shared insights on the development of AI in Brunei Darussalam where AI has been used in the health sector to analyze large amounts of health-related data, assisting the Ministry of Health in modelling overall population health which is utilized for informed policy decisions and ensure cost effective spending.
In his remarks, Yang Berhormat Minister of Transport and Infocommunications also emphasized the importance of AI Governance, that strikes a balance between innovation and responsible AI use, ensuring that AI systems are developed and deployed in a way that aligns with societal values, benefits society while minimizing potential risks and negative impacts.
In this respect, Brunei Darussalam supports and fully endorses the principles laid out in the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics which was adopted during the 4th ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting in February 2024. Using this ASEAN document as reference, we are working towards setting up our own national guidelines and working on developing a border AI Strategy Framework that will structure existing programs and develop new initiatives to support AI development. This would include supporting regulations, enabling infrastructure, research and innovation, as well as workforce development and overall awareness.
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The AMMSTI-20 was preceded by the 85th ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI-85) and other related meetings, which took place in Siem Reap, Cambodia from 4 June to 6 June 2024. These meetings were attended by Yang Mulia Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC), serving as the Chair of Brunei Darussalam for ASEAN COSTI. The COSTI-85 and other related meetings this year were chaired by His Excellency Dr. Hul Seingheng, Deputy Secretary of State, Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MISTI), Cambodia.
Prepared by:
Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, Brunei Darussalam​