TSRI and NSERC Canada Officially Open the 14th Global Research Council Annual Meeting 2026, with Support from NRCT and Partner Organizations, Advancing Open Science and Research for Sustainable Communities
On 20 May 2026, Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), presided over the opening ceremony of the 14th Global Research Council (GRC) Annual Meeting 2026, held from 18–22 May 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The meeting was jointly hosted by the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), both under MHESI, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The event brought together leaders of research funding organizations, policymakers, and science and innovation stakeholders from around the world to exchange perspectives and shape the future direction of international cooperation in science, research, and innovation.
Distinguished participants included Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of MHESI; Mr. Danupon Punnakanta, Assistant Minister to MHESI; Dr. Sriyada Palimaphan, Advisor to the Minister of MHESI; Prof. Dr. Sompong Klaynongsruang, Executive Director of TSRI; Prof. Dr. Alejandro Adem, Chair of the Governing Board of the Global Research Council and President of NSERC; H.E. Ms. Ping Kitnikone, Ambassador of Canada to Thailand; representatives of research funding organizations from 38 countries; and diplomatic representatives from more than 70 countries. The meeting was held at Dusit Thani Bangkok.
On behalf of Dr. Wiparat De-Ong, Executive Director of NRCT, Ms. Saowanee Mungsujaritkarn, Deputy Executive Director of NRCT, and Ms. Sirinporn Deawtrakul, Deputy Executive Director of NRCT, attended the event.
The Global Research Council (GRC) serves as a global platform for research funding organizations to exchange policies, share best practices in research management, and strengthen international collaboration in science, research, and innovation. Through collective action, the GRC contributes to addressing global challenges and advancing sustainable development worldwide.
The 2026 Annual Meeting focused on two major themes: “Open Science” and “Research for Sustainable Communities.” The discussions provided an opportunity for leaders of research funding organizations from around the world to exchange experiences, identify best practices, and develop collaborative approaches for supporting research systems that are open, transparent, inclusive, and responsive to societal needs.
In his keynote address, Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat emphasized the importance of Open Science in accelerating research progress through the sharing of data, tools, infrastructure, and knowledge across borders. He highlighted that international collaboration generates greater benefits for humanity than approaches focused solely on national interests. Open and collaborative research systems, he noted, are essential for enabling the global research community to respond effectively to rapidly evolving challenges.
Prof. Dr. Sompong Klaynongsruang stated that GRC 2026 reflects the importance of international cooperation in advancing science, research, and innovation. This year's discussions centered on Open Science and Research for Sustainable Communities as strategic approaches to addressing pressing global issues, including climate change, inequality, food security, public health, and technological transformation.
Meanwhile, H.E. Ms. Ping Kitnikone and Prof. Dr. Alejandro Adem reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to supporting researcher development and promoting student and researcher mobility, which are vital mechanisms for building long-term international partnerships. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation among research funding organizations to advance global science, research, and innovation, particularly at a time when the world faces increasingly complex and interconnected challenges. Both speakers underscored the significance of promoting Open Science, supporting research for sustainable communities, and fostering an open, equitable, and inclusive research ecosystem.
Participation in GRC 2026 provided NRCT with a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences and best practices with research funding organizations worldwide. It also enabled Thailand to showcase its approaches to strengthening the national research and innovation system on an international stage, paving the way for expanded collaboration in science, research, and innovation while enhancing the country’s capacity to address future global challenges.
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by: National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT)
