Standards Australia with the support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) have hosted a two-day virtual event to advance the introduction of Critical and Emerging Technologies (CET) in the region.

The event attracted participants from across the ASEAN region, including standards developers and technical experts, policymakers and regulators, and business and industry leaders.

Key themes for the event were the value of standards, the role international standards play with CET, and how standards for CET are being applied and championed in the ASEAN region.

Participants also learned tips and tricks for becoming involved in standards-setting and shared their thoughts with standardisation leaders from around the region.

Each day included summit sessions focusing on broad themes, deep-dive masterclasses focusing on specific topics, followed by interactive breakout sessions.

Key sessions for the event included:

• Day 1:
• Implementing international standards for Critical and Emerging Technologies - debating the role of international standards for critical and emerging technologies
• Engaging with international standards development – tips and tricks for getting involved in standards-setting

• Day 2:
• ASEAN champions for standardisation - champions presented on their experience in developing, adopting and using CET standards
• Responsive standards for CET - this session profiled efforts to address gender inequality in standards development, with participants offering their perspectives on addressing gender issues

The event attracted an impressive line-up of speakers, including:

• Dr Ian Oppermann - NSW Government Chief Data Scientist and Industry Professor at University of Technology Sydney
• Jason Brown - National Security Director, Thales
• Sherwin Pelayo - Executive Director, Analytics Association of the Philippines
• Clare Hobern - Senior Manager, International Engagement, Standards Australia
• Brendan Slowey - International Learning Specialist, Standards Australia
• Mark Manantan - Director of Cybersecurity and Critical Technologies, Pacific Forum
• Adam Stingemore - General Manager, Engagement and Communications, Standards Australia
• Sauw Kook Choy - Director-General (Quality & Excellence), Enterprise Singapore
• Dr Ha Minh Hiep - Deputy Director General, Directorate for Standards, Metrology and Quality, Vietnam
• Dr JeongHyun Lee - Research Professor, Chung-Ang University / ICTD Fellow, United Nations University, Macau
• Ann Claire C.Cabochan - Assistant Secretary for the Consumer Protection Group (CPG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippines
• Karin Lindmark - Head of Technical Policy and Standardization Services at Swedish Institute for Standards and Co-Convenor of ISO/IEC joint strategic advisory group on Gender responsive standards
• Sarwono Sutikno - School of Electrotechnical Engineering and Informatics, Bandung Institute of Technology

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Standards Australia CEO Adrian O'Connell says these events were important, as they allowed Pacific partner nations to share information, and advance technologies and standards.

"We are grateful for DFAT's support, without which it would not have been possible to host this event," Mr O'Connell says.

"Critical and emerging technologies are critically important to the ASEAN region, allowing us to progress best practice processes across the region and support our partner nations."

"Our goal for this event was to enhance knowledge and skills, by providing a forum for people of ASEAN nations to engage with key stakeholders and peers - and I'm proud to say we have achieved that."

"We look forward to continuing to work with DFAT and ASEAN nations to support the development of crucial standards into the future."

To Learn more or register your interest in participating in future project activities, including the 2023 Digital Summit and Masterclasses, click here.