The IASP Asia Pacific Event “CHIANG MAI 2026” opened on 3 June 2026 at the Meliá Chiang Mai Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with Prof. Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), attending the opening ceremony.
Held from 2–4 June 2026 under the theme “From Asia Pacific to the Global Ecosystems: Empowering Sustainable and Inclusive Growth through Innovation,” the event brought together senior officials from Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), science park executives, and innovation leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region.
Jointly organized by the Science and Technology Park, Chiang Mai University (STeP CMU), the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP), and the Office of the Permanent Secretary, MHESI, the conference served as an important platform for strengthening international collaboration, promoting innovation-driven development, and reinforcing linkages among innovation ecosystems in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Thailand’s role as host of this regional event also provided a valuable opportunity to showcase Thailand Science Park as a soft-landing platform and ASEAN’s next innovation gateway for global investors, technology startups, and highly skilled talent.
The conference theme closely aligns with NSTDA’s strategic priorities to strengthen Thailand’s innovation ecosystem, accelerate startup development, and expand AI adoption among SMEs. Through collaboration with international partners, NSTDA continues to advance AI and sustainability-focused technologies that enhance quality of life, reduce inequality, and support sustainable economic growth across the region.
The programme also included a special session on transforming science parks into platforms for international partnership, during which Dr. Chularat Tanprasert, Executive Vice President of NSTDA, shared NSTDA’s perspective. Representatives from NSTDA’s National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC) also contributed to discussions on energy transition technologies and the circular economy, highlighting the vital role of innovation in driving sustainable development.
The event further provided NSTDA with an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with the IASP network, led by CEO Ms. Ebba Lund, as well as with universities and regional science park partners across Thailand. These partnerships will help connect national research infrastructure and advanced R&D capabilities with regional innovation ecosystems, supporting Thailand’s transition to a sustainable and innovation-driven economy.