Stakeholder Consultation Meeting on the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2040

The Ministry of Education and Sports, in partnership with UNESCO's Social and Human Sciences Unit, will be hosting a Stakeholder Consultation Meeting on the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2040, 27 October 2023, in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The event marks a significant step towards influencing the future of science, technology and innovation (STI) in Lao PDR.

Lao PDR’s Ministry of Science and Technology was established in 2011, but a significant reshuffle in 2021 saw its departments and institutes transferred to various ministries. As part of this government reform, the entire science sector, including public servants and facilities, made its new home under the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES). The Department of Science plays a pivotal role in this transition by coordinating with government agencies and other organizations to craft a comprehensive strategic plan for STI.

To establish a national direction in this field, it is imperative to elaborate on a national STI strategy and action plan in support of the implementation of the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP, 2021–2025) and other governmental priorities. In 2018, UNESCO extended support to the Ministry of Science and Technology in conducting a Go-Spin assessment, which culminated in the publication of the report, ‘Mapping Research and Innovation in the Lao People's Democratic Republic’. This Report underscores the need to develop a comprehensive STI strategy that encourages scientific research, research and development (R&D), and innovation, addressing issues such as human resource development, skills enhancement, interdisciplinary research, the promotion of women and girls, and the overall strengthening of the university system – all within the perspective of ASEAN regional integration.

The ‘Mapping Research and Innovation’ report also reveals that, despite the prioritization of public-private partnerships in the 8th NSEDP (2016–2020), there is no operational policy instrument yet in place to foster networking among the business, government and university sectors.

UNESCO has provided support for the technical consultation meeting with the Department of Science, Ministry of Education and Sports, which took place on 4 and 5 October 2023. As its key output, the workshop sets the stage for the preparation of the final draft of the STI policy, incorporating inputs and comments from the technical drafting committee. This stakeholder consultation meeting aims to follow up with a broader consultation involving related stakeholders to further develop the draft.

By invitation only, the consultation will host scholars, ministries and key stakeholders from Lao PDR and UNESCO.  

1. To receive information and inputs from relevant stakeholders to enhance the draft STI policy provision. 
2. To prepare the final draft and contents to be proposed for the government’s consideration.

Participants are required to review and provide inputs on the draft STI Strategy and Action Plan in the meeting by sending comments officially during the meeting and/or within the timeframe agreed upon in the meeting.

27 October 2023, 08.30–16.30 (GMT+7)

For reference, please see the Concept Note* and the Provisional Agenda*.

_{* These documents will be available online for three months after the event announcement is published. To access the documents after this period, please contact shs.bgk(at)unesco.org.}

Social and Human Sciences (SHS) Unit, UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok: shs.bgk(at)unesco.org

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