The ASEAN-EU Science, Technology and Innovation Days 2015 (STI Days) were successfully concluded in Paris, France March 17-19.

The second edition of this forum-like event attracted a wide range of stakeholders engaged in international science cooperation, scientific research or innovation. The event was attended by almost 300 participants, which exceeded the expectations of the event organisers. Many countries were represented at the STI Days – in addition to scientists from the Eastern Partnership (EaP) and Central Asian (CA) countries European Union (EU) Member States and the ASEAN region were widely represented, too.

INCO-NET EaP and INCO-NET CA are two INCO-NET projects, which support the advancement of the policy dialogue among the EU and the countries in the partner regions, aiming at mutual benefit and thus contributing to develop the collaboration in Science, Technology and Innovation.

As part of their activities both projects select major brokerage events in Europe for the realization of dedicated sessions for EaP and CA countries in 3 SCs: Health, Climate Change and Energy. In this context, the two projects supported the participation of 4 CA and 7 EaP participants in the special session “Climate Change and Water Management from an International Perspective: Scientific Landscape of Eastern Partnership (EaP) and Central Asian (CA) Countries” as an official side-event of the STI days. The ASEAN-EU STI Days were selected to host this side event as this large scientific event was expected to attract a large number of European stakeholders that look for international cooperation in H2020, which is one of the main aims of the two INCO-NETs, too. The event was also focusing on Health research and on Climate Change and Water management, which are of highest relevance for EaP and CA researchers. The invitation of these high-level experts was definitely an added value for the STI Days as a whole.

The three-day event was organised at the impressive Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie in Paris. The host, the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), did an excellent job both in terms of organisation and content. Participants could choose from a wide range of scientific workshops covering the domains of food, water and health, roundtable policy discussions with high-level speakers, a Brokerage Event and a number of site visits.

The side-event was focusing on potential impacts of Climate Change on Water management, sustainable use of water resources in the EaP/CA countries. Drought, floods, melting of glaciers seem to be the main disadvantages of Climate Change. The transport of oil and gas in the Caspian and Black-Sea Region causes significant environmental problems. It was highlighted by several speakers that these hot-topics might be handled via international cooperation more successfully.

All images © Jo Hempel @ johempel.com

The CA region was represented by 4 excellent researchers: Rysbek Satylkanov from the Tien-Shan High Mountain Research Center under the Institute of Water Problems and Hydro Power, Kyrgyzstan, Inom Normatov from Tajik National University, Zainalobudin Kobuliev from Institute of water problems, hydropower and ecology, Academy of sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan, Zafar Gafurov from International Water Management Institute (IWMI – Central Asia office), Uzbekistan. High-level speakers have arrived from each Eap country: Gabrielyan Bardukh from Center of Zoology and Hydroecology, Armenia, Islam Mustafayev from Institution of Radiation Problems of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Aliaksandr Pakhomau from Central Research Institute for Complex Use of Water Resources, Belarus, Vladimir Elisashvilif from Central Research Institute for Complex Use of Water Resources, Georgia, Igor Serotila from Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Sergiy Snizhko from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukraine, Valentina Yanko from Odessa I.I.Mechnikov National University, Ukraine. All the presentations of the speakers will be uploaded to the STI days website: www.stidays.net.

All images © Jo Hempel @ johempel.com

The main objective of the event was to inform EU researchers about the research landscape in EaP and CA countries, to build up networks among the various regions, participating in the STI days and last but not least to build up new contacts and possible consortia for Horizon 2020 calls. This last objective was supported by several bilateral matchmaking talks organised by Euresearch, Switzerland as a part of the three-day event. On the basis of the feedback forms filled in by the participants of the side-event, scientists highly appreciated both the content of the STI Days and networking possibilities during the conference.