25 May 2016 - Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario G. Montejo, representing President Benigno S. Aquino III, led the Philippine delegation to the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Sochi, Russia on May 20. Secretary Montejo emerged as a lead speaker on science, technology and innovation, which is an area of growing importance to ASEAN-Russia dialogue relations.
Secretary Montejo emphasized that “our journey towards Technology Self-Reliance has been hastened by partnering with our more developed neighbors and collaborating with them on R&D areas that are mutually beneficial. Indeed, the more we learn from our foreign partners, the more we develop our own innovations, and it is these innovations that can truly help deepen the relationships between our countries, and between ASEAN and Russia.” President Vladimir Putin, for his part, emphasized Russia's interest to boost cooperation with ASEAN in promoting new technologies.
During the Summit, Secretary Montejo announced that the Philippines will spearhead the creation of an ASEAN-Russia Network of Scientists and Researchers, noting that the Network “will draw together the brightest minds of government, academic research institutions, and the private sector to pursue joint research and development.”
To jumpstart this initiative, Secretary Montejo and his team from the DOST will travel to Moscow after the Summit to meet with the world-renowned Russian Academy of Sciences and other leading Russian institutions to explore potential collaboration on space technology, materials science, energy, genomics as well as nano- and bio-technology.
The Philippines has also expressed its interest to host in 2017 the next ASEAN-Russia Youth Summit, with a focus on innovation. The Youth Summit would be aimed to attract young and dynamic start-up entrepreneurs from ASEAN and Russia while also promoting the Philippines' ICT sector.
Summit Leaders also had an intensive discussion on key international and regional issues, where Secretary Montejo noted that “the situation in the South China Sea is a shared international concern and the Philippines reiterates the importance of the peaceful settlement of international disputes through diplomatic and legal processes, including those stated in the UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea.”
The Summit adopted three outcome documents: (1) “Sochi Declaration of the ASEAN-Russian Federation Commemorative Summit to Mark the 20th Anniversary of ASEAN-Russian Federation Dialogue Relations: Moving Towards a Strategic Partnership for Mutual Benefit”, (2) “Comprehensive Plan of Action to Promote Cooperation Between ASEAN and the Russian Federation (2016-2020)”, and the (3) Report of the ASEAN-Russia Eminent Persons Group “ASEAN-Russia: A Future Multidimensional Strategic Partnership.”
The ASEAN-Russia Sochi Commemorative Summit was convened May 19 to 20 in Sochi, Russian Federation to celebrate 20 years of progressive and productive ASEAN-Russia dialogue relations. The Summit was co-chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.
The ASEAN-Russia Business Summit and the ASEAN-Russia Culture Ministers' Meeting were also organized at the sidelines of the Commemorative Summit.
The outcome documents may be accessed at:
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