Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work of all my predecessors in streamlining the agenda and scientific program of the Science Council of Asia (SCA) during their respective terms both for the well-being of humans in the Asian region, and for the uplifting of the scientific outputs and the status of the Council among the arena of other similar Science Councils world-wide. Since its inception, SCA has been playing a pivotal role in promoting innovation in scientific and technological productivity in Asia and we need to make this effort a sustainable one.
On the world map, Asia is defined as a region covering both underdeveloped and developing countries. Even though Asia is a dynamic hub of science and technology innovation and bears the potential to be a major driver of global innovation in the coming years, Asian countries and regions are currently facing several challenges and opportunities. While most of the Asian region has very bravely faced and mitigated the COVID-19 pandemic-related issues during the past four years, the concerns related to the impacts of “Global Climate Change” are haunting the doorsteps of the Asian region. A multitude of issues stemming from this global crisis mainly include water scarcity, poor agriculture growth, security, biodiversity, sea-level rise, and many others. The exact nature and severity of these climate change issues can vary widely across the diverse countries and regions of Asia. It is time for the young minds and brains in Asia to excel and align themselves to become at par with similar working groups in developed countries in pursuit of ever-evolving innovative trends in science and technology to mitigate the impacts of emerging hazards of global climate change and others in our region. To combat these challenges, Asian countries and regions need to devise a comprehensive set of countermeasures that require a collaborative effort between governments, industries, civil society, and international organizations.
Above in view, SCA has a role to play. Firstly, and foremost, the talent pool at SCA may facilitate the youth in the region to bridge the innovation gap between developed and developing countries within the region through exchange programs. Secondly, to encourage innovation, SCA may foster efforts at the Government level through the Member Academies in the Asian region to implement robust IP regulations which are essential to incentivize research and development and to protect intellectual property rights. Fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and risk-taking and enhancing cooperation both at regional and international levels is key to facilitating knowledge exchange and innovation.
Despite the above-mentioned challenges, Asian countries and regions are uniquely positioned to lead in emerging fields like artificial intelligence and green technologies, presenting them with immense opportunities for technological advancement and economic growth. To remain at the forefront, Asian countries and regions must continue to invest in research, education, and collaboration, ensuring that Asia remains a global leader in the realm of innovation. I foresee that the ever-evolving innovative Science and technology trends in Asia will not only shape our world but these can help in sustainability, resilience, and human well-being.