In a significant move to bolster regional resilience, the APEC Research Center for Advanced Biohydrogen Technology (ACABT) participated in a series of high-level meetings in Korea this August, culminating in a landmark partnership with three other prominent APEC centers. This strategic initiative aligns with the four-year Mission-Oriented Innovation Policy (MOIP) pilot program – “Strengthening Regional STI Networks to Support Resilient and Inclusive APEC Economies” (2025-2028) by the APEC PPSTI.
Following the PPSTI 26 meeting in Incheon, where ACABT presented its annual achievements in capacity building and international networking, the delegation traveled to Pohang on August 22, 2025. There, ACABT joined representatives from the Asia-Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics (APCTP), the APEC Mentoring Center for the Gifted in Science (AMGS), and the APEC Center for Technology Foresight (APEC-CTF) to formally sign the "Declaration on APEC Centers Partnership for Science and Innovation."
A core pillar of this collaboration is the joint commitment to capacity building. The specialized APEC centers have pledged to implement multi-year, multi-economy initiatives specifically tailored to nurturing young talents. By promoting the mutual exchange of resources, expertise, and best practices, the partnership seeks to create an innovative ecosystem that empowers the next generation of leaders across all APEC member economies.
Looking ahead, the collaborative partnership will focus on "Science-Based Policy Engagement" to ensure that research outcomes directly contribute to regional innovation systems and broader APEC goals. The four APEC centers will continue to explore deeper synergies, including cross-center project proposals for PPSTI endorsement and alignment under the MOIP framework. The partnership not only strengthens ACABT’s role as a pivotal hub for green technologies but also ensures that the specialized APEC center’s scientific achievements are integrated into the wider Asia-Pacific strategic agenda, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
