The first Asia Nanotech Forum Summit ANFoS2004 was successfully held on May 10-11th at the JW Marriott Resort in the beautiful Phuket Thailand. The event was initiated and co-organized by Japan National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and the Thailand National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). The event was also received strong support from the Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Japan National Institute of Materials Science (NIMS), Japan Nanotechnology Business Creation Initiative (NBCI), Thailand Ministry of Science and Technology, Thailand National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), Thailand National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) and Thailand National Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Center (BIOTEC).

Eleven economies from Asia Pacific region participated in this significant event in the Nanotechnology in the region, they include Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The event involved only invited participants who are policy makers and distinguished scientists who are influential in nanoscience and technology as well as government and industrial policy making. It was the very first time for such a high level group of delegates (about 50 participants including invited observers from Japan and Thailand) gather together to share their regional updated nanotech research development and views on how to work together to make an effective network for accelerating the regional nanoscience and technology development. The Thailand Minister of Science and Technology Mr Korn Thapparansi shared with his view with the delegates the significance of ANFoS2004 that the government of Thailand will give full support in this network (Asia Nanotech Forum) and hope that the respective country/region government will share this wisdom. He stressed that technology and particularly nanotechnology is the answer to the survival and prosperity in the global economy and the work of the distinguished participants at the ANFoS2004 will be instrumental for cleaner and healthier life for the people of this planet.

ANFoS2004 concluded to share basic information of researchers and research programs as well as infrastructure. The Nanotechnology Research Institute (NRI) led by Dr Hiroshi Yokoyama (one of the key leaders in the organizing the ANFoS2004) will led to coordinate the Asia Nanotech Forum (ANF) Portal site and AIST will continue to lead in driving the ANF forward and supporting future programs. The strategic research areas for Asia Nanoscience and Technology were concluded to be 1) standardization of concepts and measurements, 2) social, environmental, and health issues and 3) education and human resource development.


The ANFoS2005 will be hosted by China.

The table summarizes the ANFoS2004 network organizations, regional coordinators and participants