Last December 6, 2010, country coordinators of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Network for Drugs, Diagnostics and Vaccines Innovation (ASEAN-NDI) held its 2nd meeting at the Dusit Thani Manila Hotel, Makati City.
35 participants attended the event, including 10 country Focal Points of the ASEAN Subcommittee on Biotechnology (SCB) and delegates from respective countries’ Ministries of Science and Technology and Ministries of Health.
The meeting reviewed and consolidated the ASEAN R&D landscape mapping results; share the lessons learned from other innovative networks being established from the other parts of the world, such as the African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation (ANDI) and other regional networks; and discuss 2011-2012 plans for funding opportunities for future activities.
Dr. Carol M. Yorobe, Focal Point for the Philippines of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Science and Technology Infrastructure and Resources Development, and Undersecretary for Regional Operations of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and H.E. Mr. Lim Kong, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Mines and Energy in the Kingdom of Cambodia graced the occasion.
Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) Executive Director, Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, lead coordinator of the mapping activity and Focal Point for the Philippines for the ASEAN Subcommittee on Biotechnology, led the discussions.
The group was joined by Dr. Bernadette Ramirez, scientist of the World Health Organization Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (WHO-TDR) and Mr. Jun Nakagawa, Technical Officer from the Western Pacific Region Office (WPRO).
Dr. Ramirez called for convergence in R&D activities in the ASEAN; she said, “It is very important for us to work together, to be linked together, because as a group, we can do bigger and greater things.” ASEAN can learn from ANDI, and use these lessons in the ASEAN context. Rachel Ann Doreen D. Nadal, PCHRD
