Decision No. 799/QD-TTg approving the national action program on “reducing green-house gas emissions through efforts to mitigate deforestation and forest degradation, sustainable management of forest resources, and conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks” during 2011-2020

Issue nos 08-10/.Iunc 2012 (Gong Bso11054174181Julv 6, 2(12) Part II. OTHER DOCUMENTS THE PRIME MINISTER Decision No. 7991QD·TTg of June 27, 2012, approving the national action program on "reducing green-house gas emtssions through efforts to mitigate deforestation and forest degradation, sustainable management of forest resources, and conservation 71 and enhancement of forest carbon stocks" during 2011-2020 Pursuant to the December 25,2001 Lawon Organization of the Gove rnment; Pursuant to the November 26, 2003 Land Law: Pursuant to the December 3, 2004 Law on Forest Protection and Development: Pursuant to the November 29, 2005 Law on Environmental Protection; Pursuant to the Government's Decree No, 99/?OJOIND-CP oj"Septemher 24.2010. on the p olicv on payment for forest environment services: Pursuant to the Prime Minister's Decision No. 18/2007/QD-TTg of February 5, 2007, approving Vietnam '.I' forestry development strategy in the 2006- 2020 period: Pursuant to the Prime Minister's Decision No, 15812008/QD- ITg of December 2, 2008, approving the national target program 0/1 response to climate change: Pursuant to the Prime M mister's Decision No, 2139/QD-TTg of December 5, 20lJ. approving The national strmegy for climate change; Pursuant to the Prime Minister's Decision No. 432IQD-TTg ofApril 12, 2012, approving Vietnam~'strategyfor sustainable development during 2011-2020: At the proposal ofthe Minister ojAgriculture and Rural Development, lssuenos 08-1Oi.June 2012 (Cong Bao /lOS 417-418/Jufy 6,2012) biodiversity, and contribute to successfully implementing the national strategy for climate change and achieving the objectives of hunger eradication and poverty reduction, toward sustainable development; bl Specific objectives For the 20 [I - 2015 period: To formulate and operate national-level available pilot mechanisms, polic ies, organizational system and technical capacity in assurance of the effective management, coordination and operation of the REDD+ projects, suitable to the specific conditions of the nation and the assistance of the international community; to incrementally raise the awareness and capacity of stakeholders to participate in the REDD+ activities; the national REDD+ network shall be e stahlishe d and operate effectively, contributing to protecting the existing torest areas, raising the quality and value of forests; reducing the green-house gas emission, creating more jobs and increasing income for local people through the implementation of the REDD+ pi lot projects in at least Rprovinces', For the 2016 - 2020 period: To complete the formulation of mechanisms, policies, organizational system and technical capacity in <1~~Ul <111(."e uf the e l'Iecri v c lIldllagelllclIt, coordination and operation of the REDD+ programs, projects and activities nationwide: reduce green-house gas emissions through efforts to mitigate deforestation and forest degradation, increase the green-house gas absorbing capacity of forests, contribute to achieving the target of reducing by 20% the agricultural green-house gas emission by 2020; 73 manage and develop sustainably forest resources, increase the forest coverage to 44-45(,~; preserve biodiversity. diversify and improve livelihood of forest owners and local people" 3. Scope and subjects of implementation aJ Scope: All forest possessing provinces in Vietnam; bl Subjects: Organizations, households, individuals and (';OHliliulliljl;;~invol vcd j II fOle~t management, protection and development activities. II. KEY TASKS 1. For the 20 11 ~ 20 is period al To improve capacity and develop institutional management of the REDD+ activities To organize propaganda, training for and improvement of the professional capacity and skills of negotiation on REDD+ and climate change for staffs involved in REDD+ i mplcrncntation; To build the organizational, management and coordination system for implementing REDD+; establish the national REDD+ network; formulate the mechanism for coordination among ministries, sectors and localities during the implementation of the Program; and Integrate them with related strategies and programs; To perfect the legal system and technical guidance for implementing the REDD+ activities; To establish and implement on a pilot basis 74 the mechanism of supervision, settlement of complaints and provisions of feedbacks during the program implementation. bl To conduct survey and collect data and set up a green-house gas emission level for each period and estimate the green-house gas emission level in coming years for use as a basis for monitoring and evaluating the results of REDD+ implementation, and negotiate with international donors. To review, collect, evaluate and process necessary datu for setting up the basic cmisaion level and initially identify the green-house gas emission trend before and after the implementation of the national and provincial level (when necessary) REDD+ (RELs/FRLs) under the regulations of UNFCCC and technical guidance of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCe). The reference emission levels (RELs) are the amount of green house gas emitted into the atmosphere from deforestation and forest degradation at a certain time or theline showing the change in thegreen house gas emission levels in different time periods in the past and forecasting the future emission trend. The forest reference levels (FRLs) are the amount of emission from deforestation, forest degradation and the forest's green-house gas absorbing level as the result of forestconservation and management-before and during the implementation of the REDD+ activities: To evaluate forest changes and forecast future forest changes; propose measures to mitigate and eventually stop deforestation and forest degradation, and enhance the forest 18SU~ nos 08-1OJ,[une 2012 (Cong BaD n054/1-4/SlJu!v (), 20J2) carbon stocks; To survey, evaluate and determine specrticatly the potential or reducing green house gas emissions. calculate the investment demand ~\Orl benefits ofimplpmentinz RFI1D+ in each province and the whole country: to determine the preferential regions for implementing REDD+: To establish the temporary RELs/FRLs at the national level and in pilot provinces suitable to the specific conditions of Vietnam, regulations of LJNFCCC and the international financial and technical assistance. cl To !-'"t;lhlish and operate the measurement. reporting and verification system (MRV). To quickly complete the project of general forest survey and inventory for the 2[)12 ~ 2015 period, especially in the pilot provinces, for use as a basi s for planning, monitoring and evaluating REDD+ implementation results: To perfect rhe system of monitoring and reporting of annual forest changes, forestsurvey and inventory for every 5 years, in close association with land inventory of the resources and environment sector, ensuring the efficiency and consistency of data under the law on protection and development of forests and land; To bui Id the nationa: pi lot MRY system suitable to specific conditions of Vietnam and regu lations of UNFCCe-. To formulating a mechanismof monitoring, reporting and verification of REDD+ implementation results, and a database on REDD+ from central to grassroots level: To coordinate with international Issue nos OS-lOJJune 2012 (Gong Bee llos417-418IJuly6, 2012) organizations in verifying the national-level REDD+ performances under regulations of UNFCCC; and organize the verification of REDD+ performances in localities in accordance with law. dJ To formulate the mechanism of financial management of the REDD+ Program To set up and organize the management of the REDD+ fund, including: + To set up the REDD+ fund as a trust fund of the central and provincial-level forest protection and development funds, which are established under the Government's Decree No. 05/1008ND-CP of January, 14,2008. on forest protection and development funds to receive and manage financial amounts from donors and entrusted sources from foreign countries, organizations and individuals for REDD+ and pay for REDD+ services. + The REDD+ fund has its structure and UIJt:l at ion I cgulation as il trust fund i IJ accordance with Vietnamese law and international regulations. + The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Deve lopment shall assume the prim e responsibility for and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and related ministries and sectors in, elaborating and issuing the regulation on organization and operation of the REDD+ fund in accordance with Vietnamese law and international regulations. + The Ministry of Finance shall assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and related ministries and sectors in, elaborating 75 and issumg the n nancrul management mechanism for the REDD+ fund in accordance with Vietnamese law and international regulations. To or[FITli i't> the payment for REDD+ implementation. covering: + To establish the REDD+ payment system from central to grassroots level. + To identify beneficiaries. levels andmodes of payment for the REDD+ services. To examine. supervise and evaluate the payment for the REDD+ performances. el To implement the REDD+ pilot projects To select at least 8 provinces with high potential of reducing green-house gas emissions representing ecological zones which participate in the REDD+ pilot projects, and suitable to ~peL:ifil: cundiiions ofVietnam aud international assistance; To formulate the action program for implementing the provincial-level REDD+. integrate it with the master plans and plans on forest protection and development. and land use. and programs and projects on reducing emission in agriculture and related sectors; and bui ld the pi lot system for REOO+ management, coordination und operation ut provincial level; To raise awareness and technical capacity for REDD+ for related staffs at provincial, district and commune levels; and raise awareness of forest owners and local communities; To select and implement measures to 76 reduce green-house gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, stabilize and enhance forest carbon stocks; and study the role and ability to participate in the REDD+ of local enterprises, organizations, individuals and communities; ~ To propose and implement on a pilot basis the measurement, reporting and verification system; measures of survey, monitoring and evaluation of forest changes with the participation of related parties; mechanism of financial management and payment for the REDD+ performances; safeguards; and build the database and information systems for the REDD+ implementation. f/ To promote cooperation and experience sharing with regional countries in implementing REDD+: to enhance the capacity of forest law enforcement,governance and trading (FLEGT); g/ To review and draw experience from the REDD+ performances in pilot provinces and new international regulations as a basis for revising and improving the REDD+ Program for implementation on the national scale in the next period. The list of projects during 2011-2015 is prescribed in the Appendix to this Decision. This Jist may be added when having new internauunal sources meeting national requirements in each period. 2. For the 20i6-2020 period aI To continue to perfect the mechanism of coordination, management and operation of the Program; to implement this Program on the Issue nos (j~-l 0/.1une20 JZ (Cong BaOrws4/7-4/WJuly6, 2012) national scale in accordance with regulations and with international assistance; bl To continue to formulate and perfect the legal framework for implementation of the REDD+ Program on the basis of practical requirements as well as Vietnamese law and international practices: c/ To continue to raise awareness and capacity of implementing REDD+ for officials at all levels, local people and related organizations; d! To revise, supplement and perfect the national and provincial-level RELs/FRLs in pilot provinces based on updating and adding methods and related data or new regulations of UNFCCe- ...,. . el To perfect the information system of REDD+, including: the MRV system, system of information on safeguards, information on technical policies and solutions at central and grassroots level suitable to specific conditions of the nation, regulations and international assistance; fI To perfect the mechanism of financial management and payllleJll policies based 011 the REDD+ performances at all levels; gl To perfect the mechanism of supervision, complaintsettlementand provisionof feedbacks during the implementation of the REDD+ Program: hi To continue to promote cooperation and experience sharing with regional countries in REDD+ performances, and enhance capacity of forestlawenforcement,governanceand trade {FLEGD. Issue nos OS-IO/,Junc 2012 (Gong Baa nos 417418JJulv 6,2012) Ill. SOLUTIONS 1.To complete the legal framework for the REDD+ implementation aJ To review, revise and promulgate legal documents on land, forest protection and development, rights to forest carbon, carbon credit investment and trading, finunc ial management, right to enjoy benefits, measures to assure safety upon implementing REDD+ and other relevant legal documents in accordance with laws and treaties which Vietnam has concluded; hl To build the national standard system on forest certification; regulations and standards on forestation technical measures, sustainable forest management and exploitation of limber and non-timber forest products; 2. To complete institutions and develop human resources al To adopt plans on traming and enhancement of REDD+-related capacity for officials at all levels, especially at commune and village levels in deep-lying and remote areas; b/ To formulate the mechanism of coordi nation among state management agencies at all levels in participating in REDD+, especially between the sector of agriculture and rural development and the sector of natural resources and environment towards KEUD+ establishment and implementation; c/ To formulate the mechanism of close combination between the private sector and the public-private partnership (PPP) model: to encourage the participation of socio-political 77 organizations, professional organizations, non governmental organizations and all communities in planning, implementing and supervrsmg the REDD+ Program implementation; d/ To integrate the REDD+ Program implementation with the national target program on response to climate change, the green growth strategy, the :2011-:2010 forest protection and development plan, smart agriculture initiatives in response to climate change, policies on payment for forest environment services (PFES), agricultural extension, forestry extension and hunger eradication and poverty reduction programs and other related programs and projects to improve the efficiency and sustainabtlity: eJ To set up the system for supervision of ex ploi tation, dctci m ination and tracking of timber origins; to assure the lawfulness of timbers in exploitation, transportation. processing and exportation. 3. To review and improve land lise master plans and forest protection and development master plans To determine forest areas to be covered by REDD+ programs and projects; to review and adjust land use master plans and plans as well as national and local forest protection and development ones based on scientific grounds and economic efficiency in order to assure the feasibility and sustainability and to minimize risks of emission transfer. 4. To review and complete the forest and forest land assignment or \ease to organizations, 78 households, individuals and communities in accordance with law to assure the legal basis when concluding contracts OJ paying Iur results ofREDD+ implementation. ). '10 investigate and oversee the forest development and inventory on annual and five year basis; to complete the forestry sector information system. 6. Tv step up }>Iopaganda acti v itie s, to improve awareness and mobilize the participationof localresidentsand communities and organizations in elaborating REDD+ plans and organizing their implementation and supervision. 7. To enhance international cooperation to diversify financial sources aIToproactively participate in international programsand initiatiyeson REDD+ andcIimate change in agriculture and rural areas in order to mobilize financial and technical assistance for implementing REDD+ programs and projects; bl To intensify multilateral and bilateral integration and cooperation, cooperation with non-governmental organizations and regional and international financial organizations to attract more financial and technical assistance; to further share information and experience in REDD+ implementation, especially for the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN); cl To enhance the management and mechanism of coordination In rhe Ilti lization of domestic capital sources and international aid Issue nos 08·10/,June 2012 (Gong Bao JlOS 4I 7-4I8IJuty 6.2(12) for the implementationof related programs and projects; dJ To further implement agreements and treaties on environment and forestry which Vietnam has concluded. IV. FUNDS FOR THE PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION Funds for projects under the national action program on REDD+ are included in the state budget allocations for implementing the national target program on response to climate change, the 2011-2020 forest protection and development plan and related programs and projects; and from support of foreign governmf'nts, intern"tion;lI org;lnizatir111S, foreign non-governmental organizations, overseasindividuals and domesticorganizations and individuals, in whichinternationalfinancial sources playa decisive role. Projects' funds are specifically determined un the basis of negotiations with donors and the state budget's contrihution ability as approved by competent authorities. v. ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION 1. To establish the Steering Board for the REDD+ national action program afTo assign the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Developmentto set upthe SteeringBoard for REDD+ in Vietnam (below referred to as the Steering Board), which is composed of the Minister of Agricu ILLITe and Rural Development as its head, a Deputy Minister of Agriculture Issue nos OS-lO/June 2012 (Gong BaD nos4/7~4]81Julv 6, 2012) and Rural Development as its deputy head; and members being representatives of general department- or department-level leaders of related ministries and agencies, including: the Ministries of Agricul ture and Rural Development; Natural Resources and Environment; Planning and Investment: Finance; Foreign Affairs; and Science and Technology; and the Committee for Ethnic Affair's and Government Office, The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall promulgate the operation regulation of the Steering Board. bl REDD+ Vietnam Office is the assisting section of the Steering Board. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development shall establish this Office and organize Its executive operations. ct The Prime MInister authoriz.e s the Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development to reach agreement with donors and set up a nurnber of sections to provide consultancy and support for supervising the REDD+ Program imp lcmcntation: assuring that they arc streamlined, effective and compliant with Vietnamese laws and relevant international agreements and treaties. 2. Responsibilities of related ministries and agencies aJ The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall: He in prime charge of REDD+; Assume the prime responsibility for formulating mechanisms and policies for managing, administrating and guiding the 79 REDD+ Program implementation; and submitting them to the Prime Minister for promulgaiion or promulgating them according to its competence; Elaborare. appl uve an d organize the implementation of five-year and annual national plans for implementing the REDD+ Program: Assume the prime responsibility for making international negotiations on REDD+: assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, sectors and localities in, mobilizing international funds for implementing the REDD+ Program; Assume the prime responsibi lity for, and coordinate witb the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in, identifying the or igi nat time and data and calculating greenhouse gas emission levels (RELsJFRLs) for use as a basis for negotiation and evaluation of results of REDD+ implementation; and assume the prime responsibility for establishing and operating the measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) system: Set up the Vietnam REDD+ Fund; promulgate the REDD+ Fund's organization and operation regulation in accordance with Vietnamese laws and international practice; . Under the Government's assignment, negotiate and conclude financial support agreements with international donors that commit to contributing to the Vietnam REDD+ Fund in accordance with law; Annually, coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and related 80 ministries and sectors in, summarizing and reviewing the funding demand and the list of REDD+ projects for inclusion into the national target program on response to climate change and related programs and projects: Examine, superviseand periodicallyreview and evaluate the REDD+ Program implementation; Annually review and report to the Prime Minister-on the program implementation results and propose sol utions for problems falling beyond its competence. bl The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall: Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with me Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in, summarizing data on the process and results ofR EOO+ implementation in thenational notificationreport and biannually updating reports for submission to the UNFCCC Secretariat; Assume the prime responsibility for land planning and administration, covering forest land, and inclusion of REDD+ into land use master plans at all levels; Assume the prime responsibi lity for, and coordinate with the Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development in, directing and guiding provincial-level People's Committees in reviewing and completing the assignment of land associated with assignment of forests and granting land use right certificates; promulgate accordi ng to j ts compe tence or submit to competent authorities for promulgation mechanisms and policies on forest land Issue nos OS-IO/June 2012 (CongBaoflo.1417-4J8IJulyo, 2012) assignment and lease related to the REDD+ Program implementation; and providing results of the national inventory of greenhouse gas in Vietnam; Coordinate with the Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development in, setting up the MRV system and RELs/FRLs and evaluating the REDD+ Program's emission reduction results. cl The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall: Balance and allocate domestic capital for projects to implement the REDD+ Program: Integrate the REDD+ Program with national target programs in the course of implementation: Coordinate with the Ministryof Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance in formulating mechanisms and poiicies to manage and implement the REDD+ Program. df The Ministry of Finance shall: Assume the prime responsibility fOT, and coordinate with the Ministry ofAgriculture and Rural Development m, formulating mechanisms and policies for financial management of the REDD+ Program; Assume the prime responsibi lity for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developmentin, guiding the management and use of financial sources of the REDD+ Pund at all levels; . Supervise iuvulved parties in properly performing the financial management of the REDD+ Program. el The Minlstry of Information and bsue IIOS 08·10/,June 2012 (Cong Bao I/.OS 417-418!July6, 2012) Communications shall guide and direct press agencies in conducting propaganda activities to improve {tIC awareness and responsibiluy of agencies, organizations and individuals for forest protection and development as well as the REDD+ Program implementation. f) The Committee for Ethnic Affairs shall conduct propaganda and dissemination and improve the awareness and capacity of ethnic minority people ana. mobilize them in proactively participating in REDD+ activities; integrate the REDD+ Program implementation with related programs and projects under its state management; gf Related ministries and sectors shall, within the ambitof their state management tasks and functions, proactively coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development 10 implementing the KElJD+ Program and directing units under their management in the REDD+ Program implementation. hi Provincial-level People's Committees shall' Organize the propaganda and dissemination of REDD+ activities in their localities; Establish provincial-level steering boards for REDD+ implementation, headed by their chairpersons; Elaborate and implement provincial-level action plans for REDD+; elaborate and implemem plans and projects to implement the REDD+ Program in their localities; and review and adj usr related master plans ::Ina plans in their localities; 81 Organize the implementation of related activities under five-year and annual national plans approved by {he Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Proactively mobilize more resources and integrate the Program with the policies on payment of forest environment service charges and related programs and projects in their localities in order to achieve the REDD+ Program's objectives; Coordinate with related ministries and sectors in directing and inspecting the REDD+ Program implementation by local organizations and individuals according to this Decision; Periodically report the implementationand fulfillment of objectives and tasks of the REDD+ Program in their provinces and cities. if Social. political and professional organizations, mass organizations, non governmental organizations and enterprises shall, depending on their functions. tasks and capacity, proactively participate in REDD+ Program-re larcd acuvrues. especially information, education and communication acrivities; support and mobilize community participationin and share experience in REDD+ implementation; and inspect and monitor the REDD+ Program implementation. VI. SUPERVISION AND EVALUATION l. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies and units in, supervising and evaluating the REDD+ Program in each phase. 82 2. Contents of supervision and evaluation aI To supervise and evaluate activities in provinces selected for pilot implementation: Theemission reduction and forest carbon stocks increase; results of implementation of carbon stocks; bl To supervise and evaluate the implementation of land use master plans; inspect, adjust and complete land and forest assignment and implementation of the grassroots democracy regulation; and monitor measures to implement the KEDD+ Program: cl To disburse revenues and financial transactions related to the REDD+ Program implementation. 3. Scope of supervision and evaluation: At central and provincial levels. 'ssm' nos OS-tO/June 2012 (Gong Baa 11054/7·418JJuly6. 2012) 4. Mechanism of supervision and evaluation: To assure transparency, publicity and participation of representatives of parties that implement the REDD+ Program, state agencies and related international organizations (when necessary). Article 2. This Decision takes effect on the date of its signing. Article 3. Ministries, heads of ministerial level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies and chairpersons of provincial-level People's Committees shall implement this Decision For the Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister HOANGTRUNG HAl