SOCHI (Sputnik), Svetlana Alexandrova — The secretary welcomed an extensive discussion on innovation and cooperation in functional areas like agriculture, transport, energy, and education at the Sochi Russia-ASEAN Summit.
"The Philippines is keen to spearhead the creation of an ASEAN-Russia Network of Scientists and Researchers, which will draw together the brightest minds of government, academic research institutions and the private sector to pursue joint research and development," Montejo said on the sidelines of the Russia-ASEAN forum in Sochi.
"An important conduit will be the creation of the Philippine-led Network of ASEAN-Russia Scientists and Researchers and we are fully supportive of greater engagement of the private sector in ASEAN-Russia cooperation in energy, transport, tourism and agriculture," he stressed.
Cooperation in space science, disaster risk management and nano-technology are among the topics expected to be discussed by Philippine Secretary of Science and Technology Mario Montejo during his upcoming visit to Moscow, he told Sputnik on Friday.
"After Sochi, I am visiting the Russian Academy of Sciences to conduct exploratory talks on potential areas of cooperation in in Science and Technology … Space Science and Technology for climate monitoring, disaster risk management and agricultural applications. We are also interested in Materials Science, Energy Generation as well as Nano- and Bio-technology for health and food applications and Genomics," Montejo said on the sidelines of the summit.
According to Montejo, he hopes to discuss collaborative research and development grounded on mutually-agreed principles.
On May 19-20, the Russian resort city of Sochi hosts the Russia-ASEAN summit, marking the 20th anniversary of partnership between Moscow and the Asian bloc.
