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ADDRESS BY

 

HIS EXCELLENCY DR. ADHAM BIN BABA

THE HON. MINISTER OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY 

AND INNOVATION OF MALAYSIA

 

 

AT THE

 

7^th ANNUAL MULTI-STAKEHOLDER FORUM ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (STI FORUM)

5-6 MAY 2022

 

UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS,

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (VIRTUAL)

 

 

 

His Excellency Mr Collen Kelapile,

President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council,

 

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

 

 

ASSALAMUALAIKUM AND VERY GOOD DAY TO EVERYONE

 

1.       Let me begin by expressing my deepest gratitude to the organiser, United Nations for inviting Malaysia, in particular the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation.

 

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

2.       The COVID-19 pandemic has been a huge wakeup call on on the fragility of our reactions with nature. It was indeed a challenging time for all of us but it also provided us time to re-think and re-shape our development trajectory in moving forward.

 

3.       Malaysia through the Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation has launched the National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation 2021 to 2030, with the primary focus of leveraging STI as the primary engine to bridge the socioeconomic gap, post COVID-19.

 

4.       Malaysia has embarked on a new approach in linking Science, Technology and Innovation to economy through the 10-10 Malaysian Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (MySTIE) Framework. MySTIE emphasised amongst others, STI talent development, research, development, commercialisation and innovation, embracing the application of STIE, as well as bringing STI to the global stage.

 

5.       In 2021, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, launched the National Vaccine Development Roadmap and Malaysian Genome and Vaccine Institute in an effort to turn the country into a hub for vaccine production and boost confidence in vaccine use. The roadmap envisions a self-sufficient Malaysia in vaccine manufacturing and research and development with a goal to safeguard national bio and health security while developing a self-sustaining vaccine ecosystem.

 

6.       Malaysia has also recognised the potency of Social Innovation in addressing post pandemic recovery and the economy gap between rural and urban communities. My ministry has embarked on a dedicated social innovation program known as the Malaysia Inovasi Sosial (MyIS) initiative. Previously known as Malaysia Social Innovation, it has huge potential given the rich natural resources and ethno knowledge in the country. By mainstreaming them with technology and innovation, it would not only solve local problems but also create products and services that can be commercialised and be an important contributor to the country’s economy.

 

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

7.       In conclusion, Malaysia remains committed in pursuing its growth agenda that is in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and the Rio Principles. To be globally sustainable and competitive, Malaysia remains committed in mainstreaming STI as the main driver of economic growth while ensuring the need to adopt progressive policies to catalyse sustainable development for a growth trajectory that enhances planetary health.

 

Thank you and best wishes from Malaysia.