On October 9–10, 2025 at Mercure Hotel Sukhumvit 24, Bangkok, Thailand
The National Energy Technology Center (ENTEC), under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), in collaboration with the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMCAS), and with support from the Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO), organized the international “CAS–ANSO International Conference on Microbial Power” under the theme “Advancing Bioenergy and Biomanufacturing in the Belt and Road Initiative.” The event was held alongside the ANRRC 2025 Annual Meeting, aimed at promoting scientific cooperation in microbiology, bioenergy, and biomanufacturing across Asia.
The conference was officially opened by Dr. Sumittra Charojrochkul, Executive Director of ENTEC, Prof. Je Kyung Seong, Chair of the Asian Network of Research Resource Centers (ANRRC), and Prof. Qian Wei, Director of IMCAS.
Dr. Sumittra highlighted the significance of this conference as a testament to the vital role of collaboration in microbiology and bioresources through the ANRRC network, which has played a leading role over the past decade in connecting bioresource research institutions across Asia. She also expressed gratitude to ANSO for its support in strengthening scientific cooperation. Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of NSTDA and ANSO, Thailand is positioned as a regional hub advancing scientific partnerships throughout Asia.
This year’s conference marked a significant step in expanding collaboration to include ASEAN countries, China, Japan, and South Korea. Beyond being a platform for knowledge exchange, it served as the starting point for new partnerships expected to yield tangible outcomes in clean energy development and the bioeconomy across the region.
The conference featured presentations from leading researchers representing more than 10 countries, with over 80 participants from ASEAN nations and international partners. Key topics included global challenges addressed by bioresource technologies, innovations in bioenergy and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, legal and ethical aspects of bioresource use (ABS Governance), and the application of bioinformatics and AI for standardized bio-database management. Distinguished Thai researchers from BIOTEC, NSTDA, served as plenary speakers, with Dr. Lily Eurwilaichitr, Assistant Executive Director of ENTEC, acting as the session moderator.
