KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 (Bernama) -- Tan Sri Zakri Abdul Hamid, the Science Adviser to the Prime Minister and JointChairman of the Malaysian Industry-Government Group (MIGHT) has been appointed by the United Nations as the co-chairman of the newly established Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Advisory Board of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). He co-chairs the board with the former Federal Minister for Science and Technology of Pakistan, Prof Atta-ur-Rahman. Besides the two of them, the 10-member board comprises of leading experts from Australia, China, India, Iran, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Sri Lanka.

ESCAP is the regional development arm of the United Nations for the AsiaPacific region. Made up of 53 Member States and 9 Associate Members, with a geographical scope that stretches from Turkey in the west to the Pacific island nation of Kiribati in the east, and from the Russian Federation in the north to New Zealand in the south, the region is home to 4.1 billion people or two thirds of the world’s population. This makes ESCAP the most comprehensive of the United Nations five regional commissions, and the largest United Nations body serving the Asia-Pacific region with over 600 staff.

Established in 1947 with its headquarters in Bangkok, ESCAP works to overcome some of the region’s greatest challenges by providing results oriented projects, technical assistance and capacity building to Member States.

One of the main roles of the Board is to advise ESCAP on the ways and means that STI could be leveraged to achieve the aspirations outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals agreed to during the UN Summit on the 2030 Development Agenda held in New York in September 2015 and which was attended by Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Razak.

According to Ms. Shamshad Akhtar, Executive Secretary of ESCAP,” the STI Advisory Board’s strategic advice will play an important role in advancing science and technology in the region, boosting STI investment and creating a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation.”

The first meeting of the Board was held in Bangkok on 7 March.

Welcoming the development, Datuk Dr Yusoff Sulaiman, CEO and President of MIGHT pointed out that “Zakri’s appointment is yet another testimony to his eminent standing in the international science arena such as being one of the 26 members of UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon’s Scientific Advisory Board and the founding Chair of the Intergovernmental Platform on Science-Policy Advice on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

“I am most honoured by this recognition which in many ways reflect the kind of respect and admiration of the international community on the tremendous socio-economic development achieved by our country since our independence more than 50 years ago, “said Zakri in response to this new appointment.

Malaysia Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT)

The Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Department. MIGHT, the implementing agency for Science to Action (S2A) national agenda, plays a key role in developing Malaysia’s high technology for business through its role as a think-tank, private-public consensus building and business nurturing platforms. It is an organisation built on the strength of public-private partnership with more than 100 members, both local and international, from industry, government and academia. (www.might.org.my)

Office of the Science Advisor (OSA)

The Office of the Science Advisor was placed under the auspices of the Prime Minister’s Office. The main function of the Science Advisor is to advice the Prime Minister on all matters relating to Science, Technology and Industry (STI). In the development of Science, Technology and Industry, the Science Advisor strives for neutrality, objectivity and for optimisation of inter-sectoral strengths across the government mechanism, as well as the private entities. It approaches scientific development in a holistic manner, promoting activities through the entire value chain. In acknowledging the dynamism of the innovative process, the Science Advisor actively encourages science diplomacy and international linkages as well as promotes the strengthening of indigenous ability in advancing scientific research and development initiatives.

Source : Malaysia Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT)

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Fatin Asmida Asman
Executive, Group Communications, MIGHT
Tel : 03 – 8315 7938
Mobile: 012-549 6504
Email: asmida@might.org.my

MIGHT’s Official Website: www.might.org.my
MIGHT’s Official Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/mightmalaysia
MIGHT’s Official Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/mightmalaysia 

--BERNAMA