The Academies of Social Science of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam have jointly held the second conference on the role social science plays in driving sustainable development in the three countries.

The Academies of Social Science of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam have jointly held the second conference on the role social science plays in driving sustainable development in the three countries.

Addressing the event, which took place on October 28 in the Lao province of Khammuane, President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Science Nguyen Xuan Thang highly valued the outcomes of cooperation among the three academies over the past years. 

The results have contributed to affirming the position of social science in the sustainable development of each country and the region as a whole, he said. 

The model of cooperation among the three academies is shaped by the coordination in macro policies for a common goal of sustainable development, while remaining open to nations and parties with the same interest, especially those in the Mekong sub-region, ASEAN and Asia . 

Participants at the event heard 14 reports focusing on the role of social science, economic growth and socio-economic development in line with the protection of the environment, as well as the role of culture in the sustainable development of the three countries. 

They underscored the significant importance of social sciences, which not only help popularise knowledge in society but also act as consultation sources to provide a scientific basis for the design of sustainable national construction policies. 

Sharing long-lasting historical relations with abundant similarities in economics, culture, society and environment, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam should strengthen multilateral and bilateral cooperation with a target of sustainable economic development, focus on green growth, technology transfer and human resources training, while working together to cope with the negative impacts of climate change, they said. 

Participants also highlighted that the three countries should pay more attention to cultural exchanges, helping people understand each other better and become closer.