Jakarta (VNA) - The ASEAN - RussiaYear of Scientific and Technical Cooperation (ARYSTC) 2022 opened on February 14 with aceremony held by the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation(COSTI) and the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education.

ARYSTC2022 aims to strengthen and showcase ASEAN - Russia cooperation in science,technology and innovation. A series of events, activities, and an ARYSTC-2022Action Plan are set to be implemented throughout 2022 in both ASEAN member statesand Russia, covering a wide range of areas, which include economy, society,natural science, mathematics, medicine, industry, business, food security,technology and innovation.

Inhis remarks, CHHEM Kieth Rethy, Secretary of State of Industry, Science,Technology and Innovation of Cambodia - ASEAN COSTI country coordinator for Russia, highlighted thebloc’s openness, good faith, solidarity, and harmony with Russia, as well as supportfor the strategic partnership between ASEAN and Russia.

VladislavStarzhenetskiy, Senior Official Meeting Leader for Scientific and TechnicalCooperation of Russia, expressed his country’s support for substantiveinteraction with higher education institutions in ASEAN and for joint educationinitiatives within the framework of ARYSTC-2022 Action Plan so as to contributeto the development of scientific research in the region.

VietnameseDeputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy, who is also Chair of ASEANCOSTI, stressed that the ARYSTC 2022 is a stepping stone to strengthen ties,expand networks, and further cooperation between the two sides.

Meanwhile,Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of the ASEAN Economic Community,emphasised that ARYSTC 2022 will further enhance the bilateral strategicpartnership and collaboration in scientific and technological exchanges andcapacity building. He added the ASEAN - Russia partnership could be furtherstrengthened by exploring mutual cooperation in digitalisation and STI (science,technology, and innovation) development.

Atthe ceremony, ASEAN and Russia representatives expressed interest to enhance tiesin areas of mutual interest in science and technology, including in thedevelopment of smart cities, food security, health, anddigitalisation./.