Assistant Professor Dr. Chaowaree Adthalungrong, BIOTEC Executive Director, represented Thailand at the 55th Meeting of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Biotechnology (SCB-55) on October 20, 2025, at the Jubilee Prestige Hotel, Ratchadapisek, Bangkok. SCB-55 is part of the 88th ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (ASEAN COSTI-88). Along with Asst. Prof. Dr. Adthalungrong, Dr. Warinthorn Songkasiri, Deputy Executive Director of BIOTEC, are also in attendance.
The meetings brought together biotechnology and science policy leaders from all 10 ASEAN member states and Timor Leste, alongside representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat. Thailand served as host country, with Malaysia holding the SCB Chair position and Myanmar as Vice-Chair.
Key agenda items included reviewing the SCB Work Plan 2016-2025 and preparing for the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2026-2035. The Sub-Committee reviewed progress on multiple regional projects, including the UK-ASEAN Cooperation on Responsible Research and Innovation for Engineering Biology. Progress reports were also presented by various regional networks, including the ASEAN Network on Microbial Utilization (AnMicro). BIOTEC plays a key role in AnMicro as one of the founding members and a focal point.
This is the last meeting before SCB merges with the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Food Science and Technology (SCFST).