- International experts meet at the IASP world headquarters in Málaga TechPark
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For the year 2023, the association is planning various international events in Luxembourg, Iceland, Mexico and South Korea.
During the annual strategy meeting of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP), held from 9 to 10 February 2023 in Málaga TechPark, experts contributed with their long experience in management to the design of the future strategy of the association, and to outline the guidelines to be followed by IASP in the current year 2023. The meeting was chaired by International President Herbert Chen (TusPark, China).
The International Board of Directors is composed of 15 IASP partners from 13 countries: China, Denmark, Ecuador, Spain, United States, India, Iran, Italy, Kenya, Panama, United Kingdom, Sweden and Thailand, who are experts in science and technology parks (STPs) and areas of innovation (AOIs).
Research and industry knowledge
The partnership builds on the in-depth knowledge of the PCT/AOI industry acquired over the years. This year the association’s work will focus on conducting surveys on very specific topics, and on analysing in depth some of the results obtained in the IASP 2022 Global Survey. Two newly created sub-networks, specialising in the space and sustainability sectors, will provide IASP members with an open forum to share their knowledge and best practices, as well as to identify opportunities for collaboration. In addition, this year, the association will launch an alliance of Innovation Districts, ready to explore the unique qualities of this organisational model and to valorise its role at a global level.
Megatrends will be the main theme of the 40th World Congress in Luxembourg
The IASP World Congress is held in a different country each year, making it an effective tool that connects innovation leaders from all over the world, and reinforces the truly global character of the association. Following the success of last year’s congress in Seville (Spain), Technoport will host the 2023 congress which will bring together partners, collaborators and relevant actors of the PCT/AOI sector in Luxembourg from 12 to 15 September. With a keynote speaker from the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies, the congress will focus on adaptability and the main key strategic sectors for the future, with the theme ‘Megatrends in innovation ecosystems: what are the implications for Technology Parks and Innovation Areas?’
Around the world with IASP regional events in Mexico, Iceland and South Korea
While IASP’s global event is a unique opportunity to meet and learn from best practices around the world, the regional events allow us to focus on the key issues that are most relevant in different parts of the world. In 2023, IASP will hold regional division events in Mexico, Iceland and South Korea.
The first is the joint event of IASP’s regional divisions in Latin America and North America, to be held in Monterrey (Mexico) from 19 to 21 April, organised by PIIT Monterrey. Under the theme ‘Towards the next level: PCTs and AOIs as economic engines of their communities,’ the strategies that different innovation ecosystems deploy to boost their communities will be explored.
It will be followed by a European division event in Reykjavik, Iceland, from 3-5 May, hosted by the University of Iceland Science Park. The programme will offer a 360° tour of Icelandic innovation, including presentations from fast-growing start-ups and technical visits to geothermal power plants and companies developing products from energy production.
Finally, an IASP Asia-Pacific event in Daedeok, South Korea, from 1-3 November, will coincide with the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the organising entity, the Korea Innovation Foundation INNOPOLIS. Science and technology R&D in Daedeok is considered the driving force behind South Korea’s remarkable economic development, and the event will be a valuable opportunity to learn more about the INNOPOLIS innovation model.
Looking ahead to 2024 and 2025
The 2024 IASP World Congress will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, at Konza Technopolis. It will be the first IASP World Congress to be held in Kenya, and the second in Africa since Johannesburg, South Africa in 2008.
The International Board of Directors also had the opportunity to hear about the candidate cities to host the 2025 IASP World Conference, which will be announced later this year. The final decision on where it will be held will be made by the IASP membership in a vote at our next IASP congress in Luxembourg.
About the International Association of Science Parks and Innovation Spaces (IASP)
IASP is the world’s leading association of innovation ecosystems. Our mission is to be the global network of science and technology parks, innovation districts and other areas of innovation, driving the growth, internationalisation and efficiency of our partners.
IASP coordinates an active network of innovation area managers, science parks, technology parks, innovation districts, knowledge cities and similar organisations. We promote new business opportunities for our partners and their companies, increase their visibility and multiply their global connections. We also represent science and technology parks and innovation areas in forums and at international institutions, and assist in the development of new PCTs and AOIs.
IASP is an independent non-profit NGO managed by experts in science and technology parks and innovation areas. For more information about IASP, please visit www.iasp.ws.
International Board of Directors
Now that global cooperation is more important than ever, IASP’s internal procedures help to maintain the association’s international identity, always ensuring that different parts of the world are represented on the International Board of Directors. This is also reflected in IASP’s regional divisions, which are part of the governing body. An overview of the IASP International Board of Directors can be found at https://www.iasp.ws/about-us/board-of-directors.