Towards innovative societies

In a larger context, the May 2007 Asia Europe Meeting (Asem), which brought 43 nations together in Hamburg , noted that the upcoming and first-ever Asem Ministerial Meeting on Education and Qualification, co-sponsored by China will be held in Germany in 2008.

Asem underlined the pivotal role education and training for qualified human resources play in economic and social development. It also welcomed Vietnam's offer to host the second Asem Ministerial Meeting on Education in Hanoi in 2009.

Meanwhile, 62 members and associate members of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escap) are expected to consider in 2008 the theme of energy security and sustainable development, with the specific inclusion of elements of innovation and competitiveness.

All these meetings will concentrate on the cardinal requirements of building innovative societies as a consensus priority to be promoted on all continents.