Decision No. 01/2004/QD-BTNMT on the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry's Action Program for materialization of the conclusions of the 6th Plenum of the Party Central Committee and the Government's Action Program on Science and Technology

1. Major orientntlons for scientifiG and To ,.!tidy the evolution of land u~1e right as a commodity in the socialist-oriented market researching capacity and step up the application economy. lo organize the survey and assGssment of scientific and technical advances anci high _of the current state and potentials of land for use technologies in order to raise the efficiency and as grounds for the formulation of institutions, reliability of the basic surveys on geology, minerals policies as well as plannings and plans on land and geological catastrophes and environment. To use in conformity with the process of land use step by step renew and invest in advanced restructuring in the period of accelerated national technologies and organize the application thereof industrialization and modernization. To research in order to evaluate deep mineral deposits. into and improve technologies and build up the d/ Environment multi-purpose land information systems (US) ln service of socio-economic development. To formulate and improve the system of legal b/ Water resources: documents and polJcles on, and 111easures for, .. . .· environmental protection In order· to. limit the To survey and assess water resources, the pollution growth rate, remedy the environmental current state of expJ6{tatiorL use and protection of water resources in the: Vi~tnamese territory and .· degradation currently occurring'in sortie ~reas and improve one step the ehvironni~ritaf quality, territorial wat~rs, in eacfr river basin or key 0 rationally exploit natural resource~, ilncf~osure the economic z<Jne, .sexvin~(as basis for th~ ecologicai balance at a stable· le,V~L· Jo' ··continue 0 determination of·poUdJes find the formulation of a researching into- and supplying S cie6ttdb 'grounds national strategy on w~ter resources, the for formulating environmenta/standards-and criteria . . . . . elaboration of overall plan_nings and plans on for assessing the en·vironinerital impacts in protection, exploitation, use and development bf ·• . compatibility with the ria tional economie: coriditions. water resources. To research ihtb and apply new technologies and advancad117odetfl in the general· ·el Hydrology and .meteorology: management of water resources in river basins. To concentrate on developlng: the hydro!ogicv.1 To research into the relation$ between various and meteorological science and technology forms of water resources, such as rain water, capability along the direction of modernization of surface water, underground water and sea water technologies and methods in the observation, data in some r\ver basins and key regions to serve as collection and readjus.tment, information and basis for management, protection, exploitation, communications and hydrological and rational use and development of water resource meteorological forecast systems, in order to raise and protection of the water environment. the operational capacity, turn out hydrological and cl Geology and minerals: meteorological products of high quality and reliability, we\\ serve the prevention of natural To assess the present situation A.nrJ make disasters and the mitigation of consequences statistics of mineral resources throughout the thereof, protect the environment, and meet the coun1ry for use as basis for \he determination ot socio-economic demands. policies, strategies and planning on exploitation and rational use of mineral msources. To enhance the fl Metrology and topography: To rei;earch into and apply advanced assessment of the quality and efficiency of tho teclinologics to metro/ogy and topooraphy, raise domains of natural resource and environment basic the capability to modernize the metrological and survey. topographical works in service of the cause of d/ To evaluate the present situation of the basic industrialization and modernization. To perfect the survey domains and forecasts of the Ministry of geographical information system (GIS) in service Natural Resources and Environment in general and of socio-economic development. potentials and demands for scientific and technological development in particular, thereby to

3. Principal tasks of scientific and formulate the development strategy and planning technological activities of the natural resources and environment branch al To research into the scientific bases for the till 2010 with orientations till 2020. management of natural resources in the market el To strenothen the organizational system, to economy and in the process of accelerated national perfect the functions and tasks of the State ind ustria Iization ·. and modern izat ion. management agencies under the Ministry, the b/ To step up the scientlflc and technological research institutes, training establishments, other research,'raise the quality of basic surveys in such business units, enterprises attached to the Ministry; fields as land, water resources, geology-minerals, to step by step separate the State management environment, hydrology and meteorology, from non-business management. metrology and topography; to raise the quaffty of fl To enhance the State management role of the forecasts of geological catastrophes, environment, Ministry in combinc1tion with the elaboration of climate, weather, assessment of existing natural regulations on democracy in management resources in service of socio-economic agencies, basic survey units, organ i za tio ns development, exploitation, protection and rational enqaqerl In scientific and technologir.ql activities, · ,"'.-"' nt (;UC~- tvrie of · ,., t11rn l resourr.f'~ 1n each ::. oraa r ,o promote tho ,..i'eat1vll/ ,_.; ,< cc1.1- .:di region. potentials in basic surveys, forecasts and scientific cl To make general review and appraisal of researches into natural resources and environment. implementation of, and preparation for g/ To study; elaborate and promulgate the amendments and supplements of, the Law on system of standards for assessing the natural Environmental Protection, the Law on Minerals, the resources and environment in our country. Law on Water Resources, and elaboration of the Law on Biological Diversity. To screen, amend, h/ To formulate a mechanism for cooperation supplement, elaborate and improve the system of and coordination among the ministries and l_egal documents, technical rules and processes, branches in the domain of State management over .· systems of branch standards and sets of norms natural resources and environment. To elaborate and unit prices, aiming to entianco the programs, projects and schemes on natural management tools of the Mini11try of Natural resources and Hnvironment research and surveys F!esources and Environment, in service of the and propose the State to incorporate them in tho programs, plannings and plans on sustainable conti rig o nt of cadres and rem o dy the curro nt c!evelopment of regions and territorial areas. sl1orta~Je of cadres in the units under the Ministry. To .aJtach sp!:!0ifiJ importance to the training of high-

4. Major solutions: level scientific and technological cadres in lino with Ilic development orientation of the branch, and a/ Perfecting the State management apparatw,, promote the capability of young cadres in research agencies and non-business units of the combination with the employment of ex:perienced Ministry: and high-level cadres at home and abr()ad. - To assess the efficiency of operations of the - On the basis of the State's re9uJations on State management units in charge of natural personnel work, to coordinate with the functional resources and environn,ent over the recent time, agencies in elaborating the•tegulations ahd policies propose solutions to modify and adjust the functi()ns on use of public-servants in general anti scientific and tasks of such units, so as to meet the branch and technologica.J research cadres ill particular in development requirements as well as the . . . , conformity with the characteristics at the natural nianagement requirements in the new period. resources and environment branch.· .. - To review the funct/Ons and tasks or the non- .. . business units condu9ting bas·ic surveys and the c/ Strengthening the rese.amhing.cs.pability and research institutes, Under the Ministry, propose equipment for scientlfic and•tebhriplogits.,I _basic surveys measures to end overlaps in the basic survey and scientific research work ofthE;l units. · To develop the scientific a~d,technological - To study and establish scientific and practical capacity of the na.turaLres9urces and environment foundations forworkin!J out plans on renewaJ ana branch on the basis of absorbing :advanced rMrganization of the units conducting basic surveys scientific· and t~chnologic;I achievements of .. . on natural reso.urces and environment,the training developed countri~s, Which are sLi1tab1e to our establi~hrnc,d~'·, scientific and technologicu! colin'r/s comliti,1r'' c,nrl ~f •~,)· ?::me time tn rf}search organizations to make them suit to the organize the resea1 en .into··-~... particular . .sci(} ntific and characteristics of the Ministry of Natural Resources technological subjects of the Ministry. and Environment. · To concentrate efforts on organizing the - To study and perfect the organizational syst()rn implementation of scientific and technological of the local apparatuses ln charge of management research subjects within the framework of the of natural resources and environment. State's key programs in order to rationally tap and use the existing scientific and technological b/ Developing the human resource: research capacity and equipment of th!:', Ministry. - To work out plannings in association with plnns To introduce the research results of the programs, on training of the contingent of pubffc servants as proj'ects and subj'ects info tne practical production, well as cadres and scientific and technological thus cont1•ibuting to the formulation of mechanisms cadres in different forms and with different capital and policies on rational and efficient use of natural sources in order to build up tho succE.1i:;sivl'! 1·0,,otirces and on environmental protection. - To formulate a mechanism for coopera\ion µrograrn (building ot an o-govornment). To among basic suivey-conducting units and sdentific cornputerize the public services related to the and technological research instltutions of tho system of legal documents, dossiers and licenses Ministry ln order to tap and efficiently use the to be provided in a convenient and quick manner scientific Gapability of researchers as well as tho to dornestic and foreign organizations and existing system of researching equipment to help individuals for operation in the natura( resources raise the quality of basic surveys and forecasts, and environment 1ie!ds. thus meeting in time socio-economic development - 1b build a system of scientific and technological re qui reme nts. information and documents, electronic libraries ~ To attach fmportance to the application of specialized in natural resources and environment achievements of advanced technologies to the at the Ministry's Office and attached units. basic research and survey domains in a way - To build a special/zed of telecommunication suitable to our country's conditions, aiming to create information and information networks on the basis a firm basis for raising the quality o1 surveys and of new achievements of telecommunications and forecasts, rationally .using na1ura\ resources and to intormation·techno!ogy, in order to increase the protectfng the environment. transmission speed ahd to process information in - To work out programs and plans on investment a quick, prompt and convenient-manner at home in the consolidation of material foundations, and abroad, thus meetingthe higher and higher machinery, equipment and conditions for scientific requirements of professional activities in sentice and technotogica\ research for the basic survey- of the Ministry's Sta1e management work. conduc1\ng units, organizations engaged in ~ To build a database of the natural resources scientific and technological activities, research and environment branch oh the basis of integrating instflutes and analysis centers up to the advanGed databases of the basic survey domains under the level in the Southeast Asian region. Ministry's management. To build the information - To make preparation for, then proceed to, the systems, !oca!~area networks and intrane1s from building of key laboratories of the Ministry in service the Ministry to its attached units, the provincia!/ of the performance of basic surveys and tasks municipal Services o1 Natural Resources and under the scientific and teGhnological programs as Environment, and connect them with other well as the techno--economic programs, in order to networks. raise the survey quality, - To build a software system for the uniform management of personnel, planning, finance- d/ Raising the capacity to apply the information accounting, science and technology in the units technology: a\taGhed to 1he Ministry. - Ta step by step invest in and renew th0 o/ Stepping up the international cooperation in informatics equipment, raise the capability in the tho field of natural re~-:ources and environment: domain of State management over natural resources and environment, and satisfy tho - To appraise the curmnt .situation of internationol requirements of tho State's administrative mform cooporrition in different clmnnim,, propose solutions to make t~1e fullest use ot bilateral and rnultilatera.l coop0rate with the unit: attached to tile Minictrv in 0 , aids and af;s\sb:rnces for the successfu! realization conducting natural resource and environment basic of the Ministry's policies, strategies, programs and surveys according to law p_rovisions. pl21ns, thus contributing to the imp{ementation of g/ Participating in the formation of a science and Vietnam's lnternational commitments in the flcld technology market of natural resources and environment as welt as the nat)ona! socio-economic development and - To closely coordinate with the concerned hunger elimination and poverty alleviation ministries and branches in formulating and objectives till the year 2010. perfecting mechanisms and policies to promote the development of a science and technology market - To work outplanr1ings and long-term and short- suitable to the socia/ist-or)ented market economy. term plans on international cooperation in the fields of natural resource and environment basic surveys - To study mechanisms and policies to step by aG well as the development of the Ministry's step commercialize products of. bas!c surveys as scientific and technofog(caf capabifity. well as scientific anrl technological research into - To study and orient the performance of natural resources and environment. activities of creating and receiving in an efficient • To formulate a mechanism fo( se!<icting manner afl bilateral and multilateral aid sources on ministerial-level scJenHfic and technological the basis of internationaJ cooperation plans whlch research subjects according to the provisions of a.re annually worked out. the Science and Technology law and the Ministry's • To propose measures to rationally and management regulations . efficiently use the official development assistance - To establish st~p by step organizations to {ODA) sources for Vfetnam in the fiefd of natural manage and support the development of the resources and environment. science and technology .market for natural resources arid environment fn such domains as f/ Diversifying financial source"' for scien tifi'c and consultancy, brokerage, service and techno,ogy technological activities: transfer; to attach importance to the development • To coordinate with the concerned ministries of trademarks for a number of basic survey and branches in formulating mechanisms and products. policies to diversify investment capital sources for !i:cienlific and technological activities of the State 5. Key tasks: in general and of the natural resources and al To continue building and strengthening the environment branch in particular. systEim of organizations performing the State . To encourage the units attached to the Ministry management over natural resources and to renew technologies, attract and e11icient\y use environment to b~ strong enough and clean, foreign investment capita! sources for basic surveys especially at the dittrict and gras~roots fevers. "fo and scientific and environmental development. raise the qua)ity, ottoctivoness and efflclency of 1he . To encoun19e organizations and indivic!ua\s to State management oveI· natural resources c:1nd environ rnent. potentials of land in order to lay scientific grounds for working out \be planning and plans on bl To concentrate on the elaboration, restructuring the l,ind use in service of national amendment and supplementation of legal ind u stria Iiza tion and mode rni za tion. documents in order to ensure their systernaticality and synchronism, and make them govem all issues b/ The evolution 0! land use right as a commodity ari.sing from the State management over natural in the socialist-oriented market economy . resources and environment. cl Study and assessment of the conformity of cl To step up the sclentlflc and technologica! !aw provisions on land (the 2003 Land Law and research, raise the quality of basic surveys in the guiding documents) with the BCtuaJ land fields of land, water resources, geology - minerals, management and use. environment, meteorology - hydrology, metro/ogy di Building of a legal framework for the and topography, in parallel with the renewal o1 formulation of the new Land Code. organization and operation mechanism of these fields. To introduce information technology into the el Research into and building of the modern management of natural resources and cadas1ral system of Vietnam. environment, concentrating on the formulation oi a database and a system of geographical f/ Statistics and inventory of natural resources information and fand information on natural and minerals; assessment of the present situation resources and environment. To work out and submit of exploitation and use thereof, and identification to the Prime Minister the Strategy on development oi measures for managemen1 and 'investment in of information technology in the natural resources mineral development. and environment branch. gl Sustainable management of river basins. d/ To attach Importance to the training, f oster\ng h/ Building of models of environmentaJtreatment and attractron at managerial cadres and scientific in industrial parks and some craft villages. and technological cadres, especially those having high qualifications in different fields. i/ Incorporation of environmental protection objectives ln \he p\annlng on overall socio- el To expand, and raise the efficiency of, economic development of regions and territorial inte rna tio nal co ope ration in order to en ha nee areas. resources, get access to capital sources, advanced technologies, expe-riences of management and if Elaboration of the planning on development training of personnel for the natural resources and of environmental protection sector for use as basis environment branch. for integrating environmental protection targets with tho hunger el"lrnination and poverty alleviation and

6. Key scientific and technological subjects comprehensive growth targets. and projects till the year 2010: k/ Llaboration of tho :.,cienlific and technological al Assessment of tho present sillHtion and development plam1in9 of ttie Ministry of Natural Ref;ources and Environment tilf 2010 with This Decision takes effect -u':i days after its orientations towards 2020. publication in the Official Gazette. I/ Buildin~J of the database of the natural The dimctors of Hie Ministry's OfficEr·and the resourGes and environment brancl1. Science and Technology Department as well as the heads of the units attached to the Mlnistry shall ml Building of the data and information system have to implement this Decision. in service of the State management over metro!ogy and topography. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment n/ Planning on training and development of the MAIAITRUC contingent of scientific and technological researchers of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to meet the requirements of the modernization process and raise the scientific and technological capabflfty of the Ministry of Natura! Resources and Environment. Article2.-0rganization of implementation of the Program

1. The Science and Technology Department shaJJ assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry's Office, the Departments, But'eaus, Institutes, Centers and other units attached to the Ministry in, organizing the thorough study of this Program of Action.

2. Basfng thernsefves on this Program of Action, the units attached to the Ministry shall work out their own specific plans and organize the implementation thereof,

3. The Science and Technology Department shall have to regularly urge, inspect and monitor the implementation of the Program by the units, promptly review, FJ.ssess, draw experiences and propose measures to overcome difficult/es and solve problems in the course of implementation. Attic{(~ 3.- Implementation etrect