Last week, the ASEAN-U.S. Environmental Biotechnology Policy Study Tour took off in Washington DC, U.S. The study tour, which was held from 10-15 March, was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Office of Multilateral Affairs. The annual study tour is part of the U.S.-ASEAN Science, Technology, and Innovation Cooperation (STIC) Program.
A total of 21 participants from 10 ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat joined the tour in the United States. The tour also included site visits to the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A wide range of delegates with various backgrounds, including policymakers, researchers, academicians, and private sectors, were part of the delegations shortlisted. The Policy Study Tour focused on theory and practices, research and development of environmental biotechnology. It aimed to explore how these practices can be effectively adapted and implemented in the diverse contexts of Southeast Asian nations.
The collaboration and support between ASEAN and the U.S. could enhance STI cooperation, including technology transfer, capacity building, and sharing of best practices in environmental biotechnology and relevant technology for a more environmentally sustainable solution.