March 22, 2024
On March 21, 2024, the 3rd Symposium on Science and Technology Diplomacy, co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), was held at the JST Tokyo Headquarters.
- At the opening session, Mr. FUKAZAWA Yoichi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, stated that, under the current international situation, which can be seen as a turning point in history, the importance of science and technology is also increasing in the field of diplomacy, and that science and technology diplomacy is also at an important turning point. He also stated that MOFA will use its resources to further promote science and technology diplomacy, drawing on the expertise of Prof. MATSUMOTO Yoichiro, Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and The Advisory Board for Promoting Science and Technology Diplomacy.
- The session on ‘Trends of Science and Technology Diplomacy’ was opened by a keynote speech by Dr. HASHIMOTO Kazuhito, the President of JST and Science and Technology Advisor to the Cabinet, and followed by an overview of the recent developments in science and technology diplomacy in the US, ASEAN and EU by Dr. Patricia GRUBER, Science and Technology Advisor to the US Secretary of State, Dr. Orakanoke PHANRAKSA, Senior Advisor for International Affairs, Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) and Dr. Jan Marco MÜLLER, Coordinator for Science Diplomacy and Multilateral Relations, DG Research & Innovation, European Commission.
- In the following session on ‘Science and Technology Diplomacy in the Future’, Prof. Matsumoto gave a keynote speech on future science and technology diplomacy in light of the current international situation surrounding science and technology.
- In addition, a panel discussion was held on the future of science and technology diplomacy. And Dr. KOTANI Motoko, Science and Technology Co-Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. KOYASU Shigeo, the President of the National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology and Science and Technology Advisor to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and others commented on their views on the future of science and technology diplomacy. Finally, Dr. KAWAI Maki, the President of the National Institutes of Natural Sciences, who is also a member of the Advisory Board for Promoting Science and Technology Diplomacy, gave a general summary of the symposium.
