NRCT Attends the Funding Agency Presidents’ Meeting (FAPM) to Discuss the Role of Funding Agencies in Supporting Science Diplomacy at the STS Forum 2024 – The 21st Annual Meeting

NRCT Attends the Funding Agency Presidents' Meeting (FAPM) to Discuss the Role of Funding Agencies in Supporting Science Diplomacy at the STS Forum 2024 – The 21st Annual Meeting

Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Director of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, participated in the Funding Agency Presidents’ Meeting (FAPM), a special session of global funding agency leaders, on October 7, 2024, during the STS Forum 2024 – The 21st Annual Meeting, held at the Kyoto International Conference Center (ICC Kyoto) in Kyoto, Japan. This year marks the 14th FAPM, under the theme “Promotion of Science Diplomacy.” Dr. Kazuhito Hashimoto, President of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), delivered the opening remarks, followed by keynote speeches from Dr. Dave Smith, National Technology Adviser for the UK Government, and Prof. Krishnaswamy VijayRaghavan, Former Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, with Prof. Hiroshi Komiyama delivering the welcoming address to the participants.

During the event, Dr. Wiparat exchanged views on the role of funding agencies in supporting science diplomacy. She emphasized that funding agencies play a crucial role in addressing global challenges, building scientific capacity, and fostering soft power through scientific collaboration. Key initiatives highlighted include support for multilateral research projects, researcher exchange programs, and the establishment of international science and technology agreements. She also discussed challenges related to science diplomacy, such as budget sustainability, brain drain, geopolitical tensions, and regulatory disparities between countries. Additionally, future opportunities were explored, including the engagement of younger generations in science diplomacy efforts and expanding cross-regional multilateral research collaborations.

The FAPM was initiated by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) in 2010, with participation from several global funding agencies. The meeting aims to discuss shared interests and concerns in research, facilitating and strengthening networks and collaboration between funding agencies. This year, representatives from 51 national and international research funding organizations from 30 countries attended. The meeting serves as a key platform for exchanging ideas and experiences among funding agency leaders worldwide, contributing to the development of more effective approaches to promoting science diplomacy in the future.