The 38th session of the International Association of Academies of Sciences (IAAS) took place at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus from September 17-19, focusing on contemporary macro trends in global science development, new challenges and opportunities.

Delegates from 16 countries attended the session, including leading scientists from national academies of sciences and major research centers in Belarus, Russia, China, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cuba, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

Professor and Academician Chau Van Minh led a delegation from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), participating in discussions and contributing opinions to the session.

Reports at the session highlighted the importance of fundamental research and emphasized the direction of new technology development to ensure national security and standing.

They also underscored the role of science, technology, and innovation in responding to climate change, preventing natural disasters, and safeguarding public health; as well as the need to advance interdisciplinary research across natural and social science to preserve heritage, strengthen national identity, and enhance cultural dialogue in the context of globalization.

Several exchanges among the academies hailed cooperation between national scientific organizations, thus opening new opportunities to jointly tackle global challenges.

In the report titled The Role of Fundamental Research in Strategic Technology Development in Vietnam, VAST analyzed the role of academic science in shaping cutting-edge technologies worldwide and the influence and impact of science and technology on sustainable national development.

Using the metaphor of a “strategic technology tree,” VAST described fundamental research as the root system that nourishes growth and as the “lifeline” for building autonomous technological capabilities.

Based on practical achievements such as the success of mRNA vaccines, leadership in semiconductor technology, and advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and new energy, VAST concluded that long-term investment in fundamental research forms the foundation for core and strategic technologies and sets the trend for autonomous global science.

During bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the session with the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow State University, and the Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences, VAST shared practical experience in establishing and developing Vietnam’s leading national research units, including academy-affiliated universities, postgraduate training linked with specialized research centers, and support for joint research projects with member organizations.

Within the framework of the 38th IAAS session, Professor and Academician Chau Van Minh, VAST President, was awarded the IAAS Special Medal for outstanding contributions to scientific cooperation and development, alongside leaders of the academies of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, China, and Uzbekistan.

Professor and Academician Le Truong Giang, VAST Vice President, was also conferred the title of IAAS Academician after being elected at the 37th session.

These international honors clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of VAST’s cooperation and global integration in recent years, helping science and technology become a driving force for rapid and sustainable national development in the knowledge era and global integration.

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