Speech by Ambassador Zhang Yan
Deputy Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat
at the 18th APEC ISTWG Meeting
15 March, 2000
H.E. Mr. Arthit Outrairat, Minster of Science, Technology
and Environment of Thailand,
Mr. Sun Mengxin, Lead Shepherd of the Industrial Science and Technology
Working Group,
Ms. Kobkeao Akarakupt, Director of Policy and Planning, Ministry
of Science, Technology and Environment,
Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It gives me great pleasure and honor to meet all
of you at this 18th IST Working Group Meeting, which affords me
an opportunity to discuss and exchange views with you on issues
before us. Since many of you are prominent experts in science
and technology, this experience will surely deepen my understanding
of the process of and the meaningful work undertaken by this working
group.
Before touching on the substance, I will not miss
the opportunity to express thanks to the Government of Thailand
and the local Authorities of Pattaya for the excellent arrangements
and warm hospitality extended to us since our arrival. Pattaya
is a world renowned resort. I believe that the picturesque scenery
provides a relaxed atmosphere for the IST WG to work out all matters
in a more creative, cooperative and effective manner, thereby
making a fresh start of the work of IST WG in the year 2000.
With the arrival of the new millennium, one can
not but be even more convinced that science and technology will
continue to be the pivotal driving force for the advancement of
mankind in the new century. Fully recognizing this, APEC has attached
and will continue to accord a high priority to science and technology
cooperation. Such cooperation constitutes one of the three important
pillars of APEC, namely economic and technical cooperation, along
with trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and
has contributed to the attainment of APEC’s objectives of enhancing
the economic development and achieving common prosperity for all
member economies.
IST WG has been widely regarded as the primary vehicle
for promoting the objectives of economic and technical cooperation
set by our leaders in Bogor, Manila and successive gatherings.
I believe that this working group will continue to take a leading
role in seizing the new opportunities and tackling new challenges
arising in the age of information and science and new technology
The Asian financial crisis we have witnessed in
the past two years has added more necessity and urgency to the
strengthening of cooperation in the field of science and technology.
At the present, most of the crisis-ridden APEC economies are on
the path to recovery. There has been growing recognition among
member economies of the essential role that science and technology
cooperation can play in the post-crisis economic development,
especially in building up the capacity of member economies which
will enable them not only to consolidate the recovery and embark
upon a sustainable and healthy economic growth, but also equip
them with ways and means to minimize the negative effects of globalization
and prevent recurrence of similar crisis in the future. In this
respect, the IST WG can make its contribution by developing effective
and result-oriented projects and activities, notably those which
can enhance capacity building of the member economies, so as to
help revive the dynamism of the region’s economy.
This year, Brunei, in cooperation with other member
economies, has set three sub-themes under the overarching theme
of "Delivering to the Community," namely "Building
stronger Foundation," and " Creating New Opportunities
through developing science and technology" and" Making
APEC Matter More".
APEC aims to achieve substantial outcomes in each
of these themes. The IST WG can contribute towards meeting this
objective by producing practical and concrete deliverables that
Ministers and Leaders can announce in November this year. In particular,
the second theme relates directly to the activities of the IST
WG. It includes development of a dynamic E-commerce framework,
effective training, broadening access to technology, developing
a knowledge-based economy and nurturing entrepreneurship and venture
capital for small and medium enterprises.
In recent years, the IST WG has made great stride
in promoting science and technology cooperations among member
economies through implementing Agenda for Science and Technology
Industry Cooperation in the 21st Century and Mexico Declaration.
Its initial but meaningful work has been acknowledged by Leaders
and Ministers. I encourage the IST WG to continue its endeavor
with a view to building up the momentum in science and technology
cooperation among member economies.
Before concluding my remarks, I would like to compliment
the working group for establishing an Ad Hoc Task Force on Gender
to examine how gender issues can be integrated in the IST WG’s
work program. I also applaud the positive step taken by working
group to invite the Chair of ESC to this meeting. I am sure that
this will help him gain a first hand perspective of the actual
operation of the WG and assist him in his responsibility for the
coordination of APEC’s Ecotech agenda.
I understand that today and tomorrow the IST WG
will deliberate on many important topics across a wide range of
issues including the environment, medical science and SMEs. As
you map out IST WG’s annual operational plan and develop mid-term
plans, and prepare for the 4th IST Ministerial, it is important
to bear in mind the relevant decisions and taskings arising from
the last year’s Leaders meeting in Auckland and to produce outcomes
that will "make APEC matter more" to the people of our
economies.
I wish you all the best in your deliberation and
in your efforts to advance APEC goals.
Thank you.
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