Japan, Thailand host Int'l Conference on Energy and Environment

BANGKOK, November 19 (TNA) - Japan and Thailand jointly host the International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environment, in which more than 100 researchers and academics from 20 countries participate. The biennial international forum is aimed to be a platform for participating researchers and academics to present and share their knowledge and development projects on science, technologies and innovations concerning their national security in energy and environment, climate change and sustainable development and management of natural resources. At Wednesday's gathering, jointly organised by Japan-based Kyoto University and Bangkok-based King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, the participants focused on how science, technologies and innovations could support the sustainable green development in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As the 10-member bloc is moving toward the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), set to be formed by the end of 2015, with its rapidly growing economy and a combined population of over 600 million people, member countries are facing challenges in ensuring sustainable natural resources, energy and infrastructure. In case of Thailand, Science and Technology Minister Pichet Durongkaveroj said when opening the international conference that, to meet the challenges, the government is increasing state budgets for research and development (R&D) projects in the local science and technology sector, as part of ongoing national reform in all aspects, to 1 per cent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), while also developing science personnel, particularly youths, encourage more private investment in R&D projects and upgrading scientific infrastructure. (TNA)