KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 (Bernama) -- Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) through the National Nanotechnology Centre (NNC) and NanoMalaysia Berhad, in collaboration with Asia Nano Forum (ANF) organised The 5^th EU-Asia Dialogue on NanoSafety 2022 and the 19^th Asia Nano Forum Summit 2022 starting from 18 to 19 July 2022.  
 
The 5^th EU-Asia Dialogue on NanoSafety 2022 was held in hybrid mode on 18^th July 2022 with participants from 15 countries who attended the dialogue including Malaysia represented by NNC. The goal of this international platform is to enhance exchange and understanding between policymakers, researchers and non-governmental organisations from Europe and Asia on nanosafety.
 
Over the past six years, this dialogue has built on synergies between Asian and European countries for setting standards test guidelines that can be utilised as a reference document among Asian and European countries. This is important in ensuring the safe development and safety of nanomaterials in the market as well as supporting the growth of nanotechnology industry in the two continents.
 
Whereas the Asia Nano Forum scheduled on 19^th July 2022, will see the ANF Commercialisation Workshop and the Annual General Meeting of the ANF Executive Committee members. The Asia Nano Forum is a network of nanotechnology associations comprising 23 organisations from 17 countries in the Asia Pacific region. Malaysia is one of the founding members of ANF and the Chief Executive Officer of NanoMalaysia Berhad, Dr. Rezal Khairi Ahmad is currently the Vice President of ANF.
 
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham Baba said as with other new advancements in science and technology, the ability to manipulate and engineer materials at nanoscale levels, will bring a different set of concerns to the public mind. The safety of nanomaterials and possible impacts on human health and the environment are the challenges that we must address together through science.
 
“Society must continue to innovate to secure the wealth of current and future generations. Legislation must keep pace with these developments so that governments can attain the public’s trust in innovation,” said YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham Baba in his speech during the Gala Dinner.
 
He added, “Legislation must also not impede the growth of new technology and industries, hence one cannot effectively legislate without information. For nanotechnology, international efforts on testing and safety standards, such as the EU-Asia Dialogue on Nanosafety is a good example of how international scientists’ collaboration can provide the much-needed information for legislators and policymakers.”
 
During the Gala Dinner, YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham Baba also witnessed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) exchange ceremony, which was earlier signed between NanoVerify Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of NanoMalaysia Berhad, with P.T Nanotech Indonesia Global T.B.K on nanotechnology certification programmes.
 
The MoU also intended for both parties to benefit from cooperation with international certification bodies and direct certification of new nano products in Indonesia through NanoVerify Sdn. Bhd.’s NANOVerify programme.