Łukasiewicz – ITECH is launching work on an interdisciplinary Asian Programme dedicated to strengthening Poland’s cooperation with Asian countries across economic, scientific, technological and institutional dimensions. The pilot phase of the programme will run from September to December 2026, with full implementation planned for 2027.
The need for such a programme stems from the clear acceleration of Poland’s relations with Asian partners. In recent years, bilateral cooperation with India, South Korea and Taiwan has expanded significantly, covering areas such as trade, investment, technology and security. The growing number of agreements, high-level government visits and joint initiatives demonstrates that political declarations should be accompanied by a lasting analytical, expert and institutional framework capable of supporting the further development of these relationships.
Asia is playing an increasingly important role in the global economy, technological advancement and the international security landscape. Countries across the region are global leaders in fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, electromobility, battery technologies, robotics, energy and defence technologies. At the same time, they have developed distinct models of cooperation between government, research institutions and industry that can provide valuable lessons for discussions on Poland’s future development strategy.
However, this cooperation should not be viewed solely as an opportunity for Poland to benefit from Asian expertise and technology. As Poland’s economic, political and security significance within the European Union continues to grow, it can also become an attractive research, industrial and technological partner for Asian countries, as well as an important gateway to the European and Central and Eastern European markets. The programme is therefore intended to support the development of mutually beneficial partnerships based on knowledge exchange, joint technology development and collaborative initiatives that create value for both Poland and its Asian partners.
Taiwan, South Korea and India
During its initial phase, the programme will focus on Taiwan, South Korea and India. Each of these partners represents a distinct development model and offers different experiences that are highly relevant from Poland’s perspective.
Over the course of several decades, both Taiwan and South Korea have transformed themselves from peripheral economies into global technological leaders. Their success has been driven by consistent industrial policies, substantial investments in research and development, and the establishment of institutions that effectively bridge the gap between science and industry.
Particularly noteworthy are organisations such as Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and the Korean research institutes operating under the National Research Council of Science and Technology (NST). These institutions not only conduct research but also support technology development, commercialisation and collaboration with industry.
India represents a different case. It is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, a major player in global technological development and the world’s largest democracy. The country has made significant advances in areas such as digital technologies, pharmaceuticals, green energy and the development of domestic technological and manufacturing capabilities.
The selection of these three partners does not limit the programme to other Asian countries. One of the objectives of the pilot phase will be to assess whether its geographical scope should be expanded in the future. China, meanwhile, will remain an important analytical reference point for understanding regional developments and their implications for both the Polish and European economies.
Three Dimensions of the Programme
The Asian Programme will be developed across three interconnected dimensions: scientific, governmental and technological.
Scientific Dimension
The scientific dimension will focus on analysing the operating models of Asian research institutes and strengthening cooperation between research organisations. Planned activities include joint research projects, seminars, conferences, expert exchanges and collaborative initiatives with international partners.
Governmental Dimension
The governmental dimension will concentrate on public policies that shape the development of strategic sectors. Areas of analysis will include industrial policy instruments, regulatory frameworks, export controls, public procurement policies, workforce development and mechanisms for strengthening economic resilience.
Technological Dimension
The technological dimension will seek to identify concrete areas for cooperation. A key objective will be to determine which technologies Poland can develop jointly with Asian partners, which capabilities should be strengthened domestically, and in which areas Poland possesses expertise that may be attractive to foreign institutions and companies.
Preliminary topics under consideration include dual-use technologies, energy, security, critical materials, artificial intelligence, robotics, the space sector, semiconductors, digital technologies, and solutions for healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry. Final priorities will be defined together with programme partners.
From Analysis to Practical Recommendations
The programme is designed to combine research activities with the development of practical recommendations for public administration, research institutions and businesses, in line with Łukasiewicz – ITECH’s think-tank profile. Its outputs will include reports, policy papers and policy briefs tailored to the needs of decision-makers.
An important component of the initiative will be the creation of a consortium of Polish institutions interested in cooperation with Asia. Łukasiewicz – ITECH will act as the coordinator, bringing together the expertise of research institutes, universities, public administration bodies and industry representatives.
The programme also plans to establish a network of experts working within a non-resident fellows framework. During the pilot phase, two or three experts will be invited to participate, while the fully operational programme may expand this group to six to nine researchers and practitioners from both Poland and Asian countries.
Expert Mapping of the Concept
The programme’s assumptions have already been discussed during two expert consultations. On 27 July 2026, a working meeting was held at the headquarters of Łukasiewicz – ITECH with researchers and analysts specialising in Asian affairs. The following day, an expert breakfast was organised at the Czytelnik Café in Warsaw, bringing together representatives of government ministries, research institutes, businesses, economic organisations, the diplomatic community and the media.
The Asian Programme is intended to become a platform that brings together analytical knowledge, technological expertise and the experience of public institutions and private enterprises. Its ultimate goal is to move beyond general declarations of international cooperation and towards concrete projects, partnerships and recommendations that support the development of Poland’s innovation capacity.
