NANOTEC, UNITAR, and the Swiss Confederation recently organized the Nano Inception/Awareness Raising Workshop as part of NAC 2012 at Thailand Science Park. The aim of the public forum workshop is to focus on nanosafety, nanoethics, and update on the status of the Thailand National NanoSafety Strategic Plan. Mr. Lukas Gasser, Minister (Swiss Confederation) and Dr. Sirasak Teparkum, Deputy Executive Director (NANOTEC) gave the Welcome and Introduction Remarks while Mr. Georg Karlaganis, Training Advisor (UNITAR) gave an overview of UNITAR’s Nano Programme and Nano Pilots Guidance Document.
“According to a market research report it is estimated that the global nanotechnology market in 2015 will be worth more than $2.4 trillion” said Dr. Sirasak. “Countries wishing to compete effectively for a slice of the market share will need to focus on science, technology and innovation development especially with the approach of a single Asean market in 2015. These countries must also take into consideration the safety aspects of nanotechnology development.”
“UNITAR is please to be part of Thailand’s quest to the nanosafety programme” said Georg. “This is a pilot project and Thailand is fast becoming a role model for other countries in the region to follow. UNITAR is pleased to learn that the Thailand National NanoSafety Strategic Plan which is made possible from public participation is being submitted for approval by the cabinet”.
The workshop also included a panel discussion session on “The Preparation for Emerging (Nano) Technology and what we can do”. Participating panelist included Mr. Chaweng Chao, Federation of Thai Industries, Dr. Supin Sangsuk, Ceramic Division (Chulalongkorn University), and Dr. Nuttapun Supaka, Head of Nano Charaterization Lab (NANOTEC). Dr. Angkarn Wongdeethai, National Science Technology and Innovation Policy Office (STI) was the moderator of this session.
NANOTEC and UNITAR signed a Memorandum of Agreement in September 2011 to implement a Training and Capacity Building for the Development of the Nano-Safety Pilot project in Thailand (phase 1). The Nano Inception/Awareness Raising Workshop is part of the 18 month project.
NANOTEC recognizes the importance of public input and participation on matters related to nanosafety and for this reason it is organizing several public workshop to address this topic. A previous workshop was held early this year in Bangkok. The objective of the workshop sessions are to seek public perception on nanosafety strategic plan. The workshop allows representatives from the public sector to submit their comments to the Secretariat of the Nanosafety Strategic Plan Working Group. The final outcome of these discussions is to explore ways to finalize the draft national Nanosafety Strategic Plan. This is a Thailand initiative that requires the support and input of all public and private sectors.
