On February 14, 2022, the opening ceremony of the Year of Scientific and Technical Cooperation between Russia and ASEAN (ARYST) was held via videoconference.

This initiative, approved at the IV Russia-ASEAN Summit by the heads of state, is aimed at strengthening cooperation between Russia and ASEAN in the field of science, technology and innovation. The program of the year includes more than 50 events, including meetings of the working group on science, technology and innovation, business dialogues within international forums, industry seminars and conferences. These activities include a wide range of areas: economics, social sphere, natural sciences, medicine, industry, business, food security, technology and innovation.

Chhem Kieth Rethy, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister, Deputy Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, in his opening remarks, noted that the Year of Scientific and Technical Cooperation between Russia and ASEAN will be based on the principles of openness, integrity, solidarity and harmony.

In his speech, Bui Te Dui, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam, Chairman of the ASEAN Secretariat Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, noted that the Year of Scientific and Technical Cooperation between Russia and ASEAN is a starting point for strengthening ties, expanding cooperation between Russia and ASEAN.

Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Alexander Ivanov, said that the implementation of the ARYSTC-2022 Action Plan will make a significant contribution to strengthening the Russia-ASEAN strategic partnership and lay a solid foundation for practical cooperation between ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Satwinder Singh, Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN, during his speech noted that ARYSTC 2022 will further strengthen cooperation in scientific and technical projects, and will also contribute to capacity building, including in food security and health issues. He also said that the strategic partnership between Russia and ASEAN can be strengthened through cooperation in the field of digitalization, science, technology and innovation.

Ivan Polyakov, Chairman of the Russia-ASEAN Business Council, emphasized that the business circles of Russia and ASEAN, in addition to economic cooperation, are working on the implementation of scientific, technical and cooperative projects within the framework of sustainable development according to ESG standards and the climate agenda, as well as in the field of smart solutions for the digital economy.

Vladislav Starzhenetsky, Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, in his speech drew substantive attention to the prospects for cooperation between higher education institutions of Russia and ASEAN within the framework of joint educational initiatives laid down in the ARYSTC-2022 Action Plan.

The event was attended by representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat, Ministries and Departments for Science, Technology and Innovation of the ASEAN member States and Russia, the Mission of Russia to ASEAN, the Embassies of the Russian Federation in the ASEAN member countries.