13 June 2024, Jakarta, Indonesia — A signing ceremony was conducted at the end of Day 1 of the 26th Joint Intergovernmental Meeting/Scientific Planning Group Meeting to celebrate the conclusion of two Memoranda of Understanding, which were officially signed between APN and the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the University of the South Pacific (USP) in February 2024, respectively.
Both Memoranda of Understanding aim to drive collaboration in addressing global and societal challenges by connecting science with policy and to contribute to sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region through, for example, joint workshops, research support, capacity development activities for early career professionals, expert exchanges, science-policy dialogues, mutual event attendance, proposal development and joint publications.
This signing ceremony was a significant step in showcasing the proactive strategy of APN to increase its visibility and enhance its impact. This event was important not only for the participants but also for the global change and sustainability community. By partnering with organisations in other subregions of the Asia-Pacific region that pursue similar goals, APN aims to strengthen its influence and reach.
The Scoping Workshop, the Proposal Development Training Workshop and the Pacific Subregional Meeting, scheduled to be held back-to-back in late August 2024 in Fiji, will be the first remarkable events under the Memorandum of Understanding with USP.
AIT and APN have started collaborating to develop expressions of interest to be submitted to calls for proposals from funding agencies, foundations, etc.
At the ceremony, Prof Sangam Shrestha, Scientific Planning Group Member as an Invited Expert and representing AIT, Dr Awnesh Singh, Scientific Planning Group Member for Fiji and representing USP, and Dr Linda Anne Stevenson, Acting Director of the APN Secretariat, symbolically signed and exchanged Memoranda of Understanding. All three organisations expressed their enthusiasm for cementing the new partnerships with activities that may help achieve the common goals.
