28th ASPA Annual Conference 2025
ASPA 2025, held under the theme “The Role of Science and Technology Parks in Facilitating Corporates on the ESG
Journey,” convened science parks, innovation agencies, corporates, startups, and investors from across Asia and
beyond to address one core question: how innovation ecosystems can help organisations turn ESG commitments into
operational practice.
The opening keynote from Glasgow’s Innovation Districts illustrated how a fourth-generation university can serve as an
ESG integrator by connecting talent, research, industry, and public policy to deliver city-scale impact in net-zero
development, resilience, and inclusive growth.
Thematic sessions expanded this conversation through a range of ecosystem models:
- INNOPOLIS and the Incheon Innovation Cluster showcased a nationally coordinated innovation pipeline from lab to
market. - Qianhai E-Hub presented a governance and funding approach that translates dual-carbon ambitions into concrete
soft-landing and scale-up services. - HKETO Bangkok outlined Hong Kong’s policy architecture linking research, finance, and industrialisation.
- NIA demonstrated how public funding (Groom-Grant-Growth-Global) can de-risk ESG-aligned innovation.
- BOI detailed incentive frameworks attracting ESG-oriented investment in advanced and bio-based industries.
- Thai-BISPA highlighted the role of incubators and parks as the backbone translating the BCG economy into real
opportunities for startups and SMEs. - Jiangsu TusPark shared a soft-landing programme and a five-pillar strategy for attracting global startups.
- Following these ecosystem models, the programme also highlighted practical cases from startups that are already
operationalising ESG through technology.
1. VEKIN demonstrated Al-enabled MRV tools that make carbon reduction measurable and manageable.
2. Jaggle Al presented a human-centred work platform integrating wellbeing metrics with organisational performance.
The panel on Asia’s 7 Key Target Technologies mapped how Thailand’s 44 university-based science and technology
parks, together with NECTEC, operate as a connected national network. It illustrated how regional specialisation, shared
pilot plants, and national digital platforms are being leveraged to turn these capabilities into concrete collaborative
projects with industry and international partners.
Beyond presentations, the programme emphasised experiential learning. The hands-on workshop “Presenting ESG
Innovation with Impact” strengthened participants’ skills in communicating ESG value propositions to investors,
policymakers, and corporate partners. Technical tours to research, innovation, and industrial facilities at Thailand
Science Park, alongside a curated cultural tour in Bangkok, offered delegates first-hand exposure to Thailand’s
innovation ecosystem and ESG landscape.
Ultimately, ASPA 2025 positioned science and technology parks not merely as physical locations, but as system
integrators orchestrating policy, finance, technology, talent, and culture to help corporations across Asia and beyond
move further and faster on their ESG journeys.
