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INAUGURAL PH-ROK JOINT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MEETING HELD

In this photo: Assistant Secretary Leah J. Buendia leads the Philippine delegation in the inaugural Philippines – Republic of Korea Joint Science and Technology Committee Meeting. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega also joined the meeting. Forming part of the Philippine delegation are the following officials: Dr. Esperanza O Cayanan, Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, and Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora.

SEOUL, 4 MAY 2022 - The Philippines and the Republic of Korea held the inaugural Joint Science and Technology Consultation Meeting in hybrid format on 28 April 2022.

The inaugural Joint Science and Technology Consultation Meeting was led by Dr. Leah J. Buendia, Philippine Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Republic of Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT Director General of International Cooperation Mr. Kim Seong-gyu.

Both sides noted that the two countries have a great potential for cooperation in science and technology, especially in smart agriculture, climate change, and oceanography. The said topics will also be the initial focus for the expansion of partnership and proposed cooperation for both sides.

In her remarks, Assistant Secretary Buendia conveyed that scientific cooperation between the two countries firmed up early on when the Basic Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation was signed on 07 July 1981. Since then, both sides have seen significant progress in science, technology, and innovation (STI). The signing of the MOU on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the DOST and MSIT in 2018, and the ongoing partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), and Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), among others, exhibit the Philippines' continuing fruitful STI cooperation with the Republic of Korea.

Ambassador Theresa De Vega also extended her congratulations on the convening of the inaugural PH-ROK JSTC and expressed that the 1st JSTC marks another milestone in our bilateral ties, as both sides seek to deepen PH-ROK relations through science, technology, and innovation. She likewise expressed high hopes for the invaluable partnership that will arise from the Philippines' excellent science and technology quality talent and the ROK's technical and digital competitiveness in the sciences.

At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to implement two (2) projects related to climate change and smart agriculture. The projects are expected to commence in September 2022 with DOST and MSIT providing total funding of USD 96,000 (approximately PHP 5M) for three (3) years.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul congratulates the DOST and the MSIT on forging intensified Philippines and Korea Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) relations. The next JSTC shall be conducted in mid-2024 to be hosted by the Philippines.

END

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