Our new Asia-Pacific Series Impact Page is Here!

Welcome to a new innovation era, where creators and entrepreneurs are building incredible solutions in more places than ever before. A new generation is meeting the challenges of our time, inspired and informed by the places they come from. One region that has been at the forefront of this new energy and dynamism is the Asia-Pacific, a place where more innovators are building exciting solutions than ever before, and opportunities to make an impact are around every corner. The GIST Initiative is thrilled to build on this excitement and announce the launch of our new Asia-Pacific Series, a central digital hub for all of our past, continuing, and future work in this region. At this page, you can find information about our work in over 29 different countries, working with entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders that represent a variety of inspiring and diverse approaches to building a new innovation future in the region. You can find new and upcoming opportunities for entrepreneurs, as well as articles and content diving deep into what makes this part of the global economy so inspiring. Learn more about previous GIST innovators and stay up to date with the latest from our network of groundbreaking Innovation Hubs in this region.  

We are proud to announce the launch of this page as we simultaneously increase our focus in providing new opportunities for entrepreneurs in this region. We have launched Innovates Thailand, a new program building on our work in supporting innovators from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). With emerging programs being announced soon to support APEC and Pacific Island innovators as well, this is just the beginning of a new wave of GIST presence in this region rising to meet and empower these incredible innovators. 

Check out our new Asia-Pacific series page! 

Why Asia, Why Now

The Asia-Pacific region is brimming with young and innovative entrepreneurs eager to take on the challenges of the modern world. This region is at the forefront of some of the most important trends today, from climate change adaptation and digital transformation, to gender equity and economic justice. ASEAN countries alone account for a staggering 7% of global GDP and 9% of global GDP growth over the past decade. And with Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand leading the way, the region is set to contribute over 70% of global growth this year alone.

But the economic potential of the Asia-Pacific region is not just a short-term phenomenon. In fact, it is forecasted to continue expanding at an impressive rate over the next few decades. By 2040, the region's GDP is expected to account for 42% of world GDP, up from 37% today. And the ASEAN region, with a combined GDP of USD 3.3 trillion in 2021, is projected to more than quadruple over the next 20 years, reaching USD 13.3 trillion by 2040.

Women's economic empowerment is a vital pillar of Asia's future financial success, and an essential priority for the GIST Initiative.

Thankfully, the past few decades have seen considerable gains in women's access to labor markets in Southeast Asia. In fact, the average female labor force participation rate in the region was a remarkable 67% in 2015, surpassing the OECD average by over seven percentage points. And while the gender wage gap has decreased steadily between 2010 and 2015, there is still work to be done, as it remains significantly higher than the OECD average.

That's why it's crucial to invest in supporting women in science and technology entrepreneurship and innovation. By doing so, we can pave the way towards sustainable and equitable growth, as well as foster new and essential solutions to regional and global challenges that require women's voices.

Together, we can continue to empower women in Southeast Asia and beyond, and ensure a brighter future for all.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and global macroeconomic trends, the ASEAN region has a unique opportunity to exceed expectations and thrive in building out the future of renewable technology and climate change mitigation. For instance, several Southeast Asian countries have already taken steps towards becoming next-generation green manufacturing hubs, attracting new investment and creating new job opportunities. Green infrastructure is another area where ASEAN can unlock economic growth and create jobs, particularly by investing in renewable and energy-efficient technologies, which have nearly three times the job-creating impact of investment in fossil fuels.

All in all, the Asia-Pacific region presents an exciting and promising landscape for entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators alike. With its impressive growth potential, vast market opportunities, and a new generation of young and driven innovators, the region is poised for tremendous advances in the coming years.

Building Connections and Deepening Collaboration

The work of the GIST Initiative is just one expression of a lasting and meaningful relationship between the U.S. Department of State and the Asia-Pacific, with a deepening connection and collaboration with ASEAN and APEC.

In 2022, we celebrated 45 years of U.S.-ASEAN partner relations, and the United States has provided over $12.1 billion in development, economic, health, and security assistance to Southeast Asian allies and partners, including the members of ASEAN, since 2002. The United States has also provided over $1.4 billion in humanitarian assistance, including life-saving disaster assistance, emergency food aid, and support to refugees throughout the region.

But the United States and ASEAN benefit from more than just financial ties. We are part of a constellation of efforts as we work together to foster science and technology innovation that centers on a sustainable global future.