HÀ NỘI — Some 200 female scientists in the Asia-Pacific region will gather in Hà Nội on October 18-29 to seek ways to promote female participation and contribution in science and technology.

The 8th annual meeting of the Asia and Pacific Nations Network (APNN) will be jointly held by Việt Nam Women’s Union and Việt Nam Association for Intellectual Women under the theme Women Scientists for Sustainable Development in the Digital Age.

Established in 2011, APNN belongs to the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES) which has expanded its operations to over 60 countries and territories worldwide and is a partner of UNESCO.

APNN meeting is held annually for its members to share experience, propose solutions to help enhance the capacity of women in the region as well as the role of female scientists in socio-economic development.

During a press briefing on Wednesday in Hà Nội, the deputy head of the Việt Nam Women’s Union’s Education and Publicity Department Đặng Hương Giang said the annual APNN meeting will give participants the chance to discuss, make recommendations to strengthen co-operation among the members which include 13 countries and territories of Việt Nam, Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan (China).  

Also, three thematic workshops will be held simultaneously, focusing on gender and gender equality in science and technology, food safety and nutrition, and natural disaster risk management and climate change adaptation.  

“The issues put out for discussion are of great concern in the region and world as well, and also form parts of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals,” said Giang.

The Hà Nội Declaration is expected to be adopted at the end of the meeting with the aim of demonstrating the vision and strong determination of APNN members in intensifying women’s participation and contribution in the areas of science and technology.

On the sidelines of the event, an exhibition entitled Women in Science and Innovation will showcase certain products by innovative Vietnamese women in the spheres of science and technology.

Representatives from the United Nations, international organisations and Việt Nam’s relevant ministries and sectors will make it to the event which marks the Việt Nam Women’s Day, October 20. — VNS