Vientiane (VNA) - A Vietnamese delegation led by Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan has taken part in the 16th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology, which opened on November 6 in Vientiane, Laos.
At the event, the ASEAN ministers are set to review the implementation of ASEAN member states’ action plans and cooperation agreements on science and technology and set tasks for the coming years.
They will also identify specific tasks each nation has to do for its sci-tech activities as well as those of the whole ASEAN Community as well as determine the nation to host the next meeting.
In his opening remarks, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said the participation of ASEAN member countries at the event demonstrates their commitment to and cooperation in developing an advanced sci-tech community, a key factor for the socio-economic development of each member nation.
He expressed his hope that the meeting will approve the ASEAN Action Plan on Science and Technology from 2016-2025.
The approval of the Action Plan will be a historical milestone in the ASEAN cooperation in the field, allowing the synchronous implementation the action plan and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, he affirmed.
Addressing the event, Minister Quan spoke highly of the continuous coordination and effective cooperation among ASEAN member nations in dealing with challenges posing to the bloc.
He expressed his belief that the sci-tech cooperation programmes will be further enhanced to achieve their set targets, for the common interest and prosperity of the grouping.-VNA