The forum, jointly organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), Arizona State University and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), is being held during a visit by US scientists led by the former Assistant Secretary of Science, Technology, Environment and Health, Anthony (Bud) Rock.

Bui Manh Hai, Vice Minister of MoST expressed his hope that the scientists could identify specific fields for future Vietnam-US scientific and technological cooperation.

Participants will discuss how to develop geographic information systems and spatial modeling techniques to protect the sustainability of urban areas and thereby maintain global sustainability on a large scale.

Anthony " Bud" Rock, who is also a Special Advisor to the Arizona State University's President for the Strategic International Initiatives programme, said that experts from the ASU and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) had come to Vietnam to explore opportunities for scientific and technological cooperation with the relevant Vietnamese agencies and contribute to sustainable development in both countries.