Held as a regional event for the first time, the EU Research & Innovation Days in ASEAN 2021 celebrated the crucial role of science diplomacy in tackling global challenges.

The 2021 virtual edition of the EU’s annual flagship event, which ran from 1 November to 14 December, highlighted how research and science communities in Europe and South East Asia can effectively collaborate to tackle climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. It also focused on the ways EU-ASEAN collaboration can contribute to the European Green Deal, which aims to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy.

More than 10,000 participants from Europe and Asia tuned in via a dedicated online platform, featuring panel discussions and workshops, training sessions, and virtual research laboratory tours during the seven-week programme. These sessions connected policymakers, researchers, and the public to discuss and shape the future of research and innovation. Participants also learned about career development opportunities provided in EU Member States.

The EU’s leading role in fostering the scientific and knowledge-based solutions to the green and digital transitions, in line with the European Green Deal, was also showcased through the “Researchers in Motion” videos series that featured testimonials from three young researchers.