Vietnam Department of Seas and Islands

Báo Tài nguyên Môi trường•28/12/2023

In 2023, the Vietnam Department of Seas and Islands, in coordination with the Vietnam Coast Guard Command, signed and fully implemented a plan ensuring compliance with the requirements of Coordination Regulation No. 8403. Furthermore, the implementation process has enhanced the effectiveness of coordination between the two units in developing and enforcing laws on integrated resource management and resource control, as well as protecting the marine and island environment.

The permanent offices of the two units have actively urged their subordinate units to thoroughly understand and effectively implement the coordination tasks; strictly maintain the system of exchanging information, reporting, and notifying on a regular and ad hoc basis; regularly exchange professional and technical knowledge; ensure state secrets; and promptly resolve difficulties and obstacles to prevent complex issues from arising…

Specifically, from the beginning of 2023, the leaders of the Vietnam Department of Seas and Islands and the Commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard Command thoroughly implemented Regulation 8403, unifying viewpoints and methods of implementation, and directing subordinate units to develop plans and organize implementation. On July 17, 2023, the Vietnam Department of Seas and Islands and the Vietnam Coast Guard Command signed Coordination Plan No. 7160/KH-CSB-CBHĐVN with the main contents of coordination in the following areas: Advising on the drafting of documents; Exchanging, receiving, and sharing information; Coordinating patrols, inspections, and controls; Coordinating in professional activities related to integrated resource management, marine environmental protection, and response to and remediation of marine environmental incidents; Coordinating in professional training and international cooperation; Coordinating in the dissemination and education of laws.

Accordingly, regarding the coordination in drafting legal documents, in 2023, the two sides continued to closely cooperate in the development and completion of legal documents on protecting maritime sovereignty and islands; integrated resource management and environmental protection of the sea and islands. Specifically, they assigned qualified and competent officials to participate in the drafting and editing teams for drafting legal documents, providing feedback on draft legal documents such as: the Strategy for Sustainable Exploitation and Use of Resources and Environmental Protection of the Sea and Islands until 2030, with a vision to 2045; the development of the National Marine Spatial Planning and the task of developing the Master Plan for Sustainable Exploitation and Use of Coastal Resources for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045; and the assessment of the implementation of policies and laws on integrated resource management and environmental protection of the sea and islands. Draft Decree regulating the mortgage, lease, capital contribution, and transfer of the right to use sea areas for aquaculture; compensation when the State reclaims sea areas allocated for aquaculture for public, national defense, and security purposes; comments on the Circular guiding the investigation, assessment, determination of damage, and preparation of compensation dossiers for environmental damage caused by oil spills in Vietnam's waters.

Regarding coordinated patrols, inspections, and control measures to prevent violations of laws on marine and island resources and environment, the implementation of the 2023 Coordination Plan has helped the Command of Coast Guard Regions 3 and 4, and the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment of Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Kien Giang provinces to further enhance coordination between central and local agencies; and to strengthen the management, inspection, control, and handling of violations related to marine and island resources and environment.

The Vietnam Department of Seas and Islands announced that in 2024, it will continue to finalize and submit to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment , and the Government for promulgation, a Decree amending and supplementing Decree No. 11/2021/ND-CP and Decree No. 40/2016/ND-CP. It will also summarize and evaluate the implementation of the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment; and propose to competent authorities the amendment, supplementation, and improvement of legal documents in the field of marine and island resources and environment.

In addition, we will continue to coordinate with the Coast Guard Command to develop an implementation plan for 2024, ensuring that the objectives, requirements, and practical situation are met. This plan must include coordinated patrols, inspections, controls, and handling of administrative violations related to marine resources and the environment.

Strengthen coordination in disseminating information, educating, and raising awareness of laws on marine and island environmental protection, and sharing information on state management of marine and island resources and environment with relevant organizations and individuals.

Furthermore, it is necessary to develop and propose research on specialized methods, means, and equipment to determine the behavior and extent of violations committed by organizations and individuals at sea, in order to ensure the strict enforcement of laws on marine resources and the environment.

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