South-South and Triangular Collaboration Programme on Science, Technology and Innovation for Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam

Science, technology and innovation (STI) have always been key drivers for achieving economic development and prosperity in Asia and the Pacific. Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam (CLTV) have recently adopted, or are in the process of adopting, new national STI policies to support the development of domestic STI capacities. However, significant gaps remain in the implementation of these STI policies and strategies, such as: 

• Insufficient technical knowledge to design specific policy instruments. 
• Limited institutional capacity to implement and oversee initiatives to nurture domestic STI capabilities.
• Limited availability of financial resources.

To help overcome these limitations, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is supporting the development of a south-south and triangular (SST) collaboration programme on STI among CLTV countries.

This SST collaboration programme on STI aims to establish a mutually beneficial partnership to tackle common challenges and opportunities for STI development among the four countries.

The SST collaboration programme on STI, which will be developed through a co-creation process, will help: 

• Identify priorities for cooperation on STI, 
• Set ambitious goals and specific mechanisms for collaboration, 
• Build long-term partnerships among CLTV countries for the development of joint STI initiatives, and
• Identify funding opportunities by signalling priorities for cooperation on STI to international development partners.

To complement these efforts, ESCAP will provide customised advice and training for the design and implementation of specific policy instruments, and provide support for multiple policy exchanges, training workshops, and peer learning opportunities (e.g. mentorships and staff exchanges).