Kuala lumpur: Emerging technologies such as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), wind-powered hydrogen production, and green maritime solutions could open new opportunities for Malaysia's Blue Economy, according to experts from Malaysia and Japan.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) stated that beyond renewable power generation, OTEC could support applications in green hydrogen production, seawater cooling, aquaculture, and other high-value industries. Experts also highlighted opportunities in regenerative marine tourism and greener shipping, alongside stronger Malaysia-Japan scientific and technological collaboration to advance these solutions.

Prof Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Jaafar, an ASM fellow and OTEC research fellow at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), expressed that cooperation between Malaysia and Japan could speed up the progress of OTEC development. He emphasized that Malaysia has significant potential to develop OTEC as part of its Blue Economy. By combining Malaysia's ocean resources with Japan's technological expertise and experience, the transition from research and demonstration towards commercially viable applications could be accelerated.

Abu Bakar made these remarks during the Science, Technology, Innovation and Economy (STIE) Symposium 2026, organized by the JSPS Alumni Association of Malaysia (JAAM), ASM, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

Professor Emeritus of the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Prof Dr Kazuo Nadaoka, also underscored the importance of integrating ecological restoration with local economic and community development. He noted that the Blue Economy cannot be advanced in isolation from the communities and ecosystems that sustain it. Regenerative marine tourism offers a pathway to connect reef restoration with local livelihoods and economic value, while developing approaches that can be adapted across island communities.

The symposium brought together researchers, experts, and stakeholders from Malaysia and Japan to examine how science, technology, and innovation can support a more sustainable and resilient Blue Economy. ASM highlighted that the knowledge exchange featured leading voices from Malaysia and Japan, with perspectives spanning science, policy, and emerging technologies.