The Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS) was founded in February 1946 as a successor to ideas and activities of several scientific unions, which have been established in Latvia since 1815. According to the charter of the LAS adopted in 1992, one of the main tasks of the Academy is to promote the development of basic and applied sciences in Latvia, interdisciplinary research in particular, as well as to pass the cultural and historical heritage of the Latvian people on to world culture and science.
The Latvian Academy of Sciences represents Latvia in: the International Council for Science (ICSU), Association of All European Academies (ALLEA), World Federation of Scientists (WFS), Union Académique Internationale (UAI), UNESCO, InterAcademy Panel (IAP) and other international scientific organizations.
It has three divisions, which unite members (327 members, including 95 full members, 90 corresponding members, 50 honorary members, and 97 foreign members) according to the principle of related sciences.
Since 1994, there are no longer scientific research institutes attached to the LAS. However, the LAS cooperates both with its former institutes, the major part of which have been integrated within different universities, and the universities themselves.
Latvia, Latvian Academy of Sciences
The Latvian Academy of Sciences has been a member since 1931.