The 6th International Conference of the LALICS Network was held from September 10 to 12, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under the theme “Innovation for Development in Latin America: Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability in Democracy.” Organized by the Institute of Economics of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, the conference sought to stimulate the generation and dissemination of knowledge on the role of innovation and national science, technology, and innovation systems in development strategies aimed at addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development with social justice across Latin America. To achieve these objectives, the conference brought together researchers, policymakers, and postgraduate students, who presented and discussed papers across a broad range of thematic areas.
These included the following thematic areas:
- Science, Technology and Innovation Policies for Inclusive and Sustainable Development
- Green and Just Transition: Challenges to Innovation Capabilities in Latin America
- Productive Transformation and Technological Specialization
- Digital Transition, Access Gaps, and the Expansion of Productive Capacity
- Innovation Systems at the Local, National, and Continental Levels
- Systems for Evaluating the Production and Use of Knowledge
- Innovation and Development: Natural Resources, Inequality, and Democracy
The conference provided an important forum for exchanging ideas and strengthening collaboration among scholars committed to advancing innovation-based development in Latin America.