Conference of officials, civil servants, public employees and workers of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in 2025

Attending the conference were: Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long; Chairman of the Ministry's Trade Union Nguyen Minh Hue; Director of the Personnel and Organization Department Tran Quang Huy and representatives of the leadership of the Departments, Bureaus and functional units under the Ministry of Industry and Trade .

At the Conference, a Presidium was elected comprising Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang, Chairman of the Trade Union of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Nguyen Minh Hue, and Director of the Personnel and Organization Department Tran Quang Huy.

Promoting the ownership rights of Party members, civil servants, and workers.

At the conference, Mr. Tran Quang Huy – Director of the Personnel and Organization Department – presented a summary report reviewing the leadership and implementation of resolutions and policies of the Party and laws of the State related to the functions and tasks of the Ministry of Industry and Trade; the implementation of the 2024 conference resolution and the implementation of the Ministry's democratic regulations; and a report on the restructuring and streamlining of the organizational apparatus according to Resolution 18-NQ/TW and the implementation of policies and regulations for officials, civil servants, and employees in the restructuring of the organizational apparatus.

Accordingly, in 2024, despite the continued difficulties in the global economy and the impact of the global minimum tax commitment on countries attracting significant FDI such as Vietnam, the Party Committee and leadership of the Ministry of Industry and Trade were determined to lead and direct the industry in 2024 to seriously and effectively implement the Resolution of the 13th National Congress of the Party and related policies and guidelines on industrial and trade development. With the efforts of all officials, civil servants, and employees of the industry, the Ministry of Industry and Trade basically achieved and exceeded all development targets for the sector in 2024.

Regarding the results of implementing the Regulations on Democracy in the Ministry's operations, Mr. Tran Quang Huy stated that, based on the provisions of Law No. 10/2022/QH15 on the implementation of democracy at the grassroots level, Decree No. 04/2015/ND-CP on the implementation of democracy in the operations of state administrative agencies and public service units, and Circular No. 01/2016/TT-BNV guiding Decree 04, the Party Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Trade has led the development, promulgation, and implementation of the Regulations on Democracy in the Ministry's operations in 2024, promoting the ownership rights of Party members, civil servants, and employees.

In 2024, the Party Committee of the Ministry regularly worked with mass organizations: the Trade Union, the Youth Union, and the Veterans Association of the agency to listen to reports on their activities and provide leadership and guidance, aiming to maximize the strength of these organizations, promptly understand the thoughts and aspirations of Party members and the masses, and build a spirit of unity.

Furthermore, the Ministry's leadership has paid attention to directing the effective implementation of democratic regulations in relations with citizens and external agencies and organizations; streamlining and reorganizing the apparatus towards efficiency and effectiveness; assigning and arranging personnel according to their capabilities and the requirements of innovation; improving working methods towards democracy, openness, and transparency; and creating conditions for officials and civil servants to exercise their democratic rights, respecting and listening to their suggestions in handling and resolving work... The work of receiving citizens and engaging in dialogue has always been highly valued and promptly directed by the Ministry's leadership, resulting in its serious and effective implementation.

"Notably, in 2024, the Party Committee Secretary and Minister of Industry and Trade chaired the annual regular meeting, exchange, and dialogue between the Party Committee, the Ministry's leadership, and the leaders of the Ministry's units to listen to the thoughts and aspirations of cadres, workers, and employees, thereby finding solutions to protect the rights of workers, implementing good policies to reward and utilize talented people, and proposing definitive solutions to outstanding issues within the Ministry," Mr. Tran Quang Huy shared.

Also at the conference, delegates listened to the Report summarizing the emulation and reward movement in 2024 and the direction and tasks for 2025; the Report on the implementation of the Ministry's budget in 2024; and the Report on the activities of the People's Inspection Committee.

At the same time, the conference also addressed opinions and suggestions from officials, civil servants, and employees; discussed measures to improve working conditions and raise the living standards of officials, civil servants, and employees; launched the emulation movement for 2025; signed emulation agreements; and elected the People's Inspection Committee…

10 key tasks for 2025

In his keynote address at the conference, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that 2024 was a year of many difficulties and challenges, but the Ministry of Industry and Trade had achieved very proud, even spectacular, accomplishments.

“Since the beginning of this term, 2024 has been a very fulfilling year as we have achieved the goals and tasks set out. With the motto instilled from the beginning of 2024, ‘Inheritance, innovation, and striving for excellence,’ we have reached new heights,” Minister Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed, citing the achievements of the past year as evidence.

Specifically, the industrial sector has recovered strongly and grown by 8.4%, much higher than in previous years. Within this, the processing and manufacturing industry increased by 10%; e-commerce reached a scale of $25 billion, with a growth rate of over 20%, making it one of the top 5 countries with the highest growth rate in the world ; exports and imports reached nearly $800 billion (excluding cross-border trade), a record high in the past 40 years; the trade balance continued to have a surplus of nearly $25 billion, making it one of the 18 countries with the largest international trade volume; industrial growth index was high in all 63/63 provinces and cities, with some localities even increasing by about 27-28% compared to the same period last year.

“These results are due in large part to the significant and positive contributions of the functional agencies under the Ministry, both the management units and the affiliated units,” the Minister assessed and further emphasized that in 2024, the units under the Ministry thoroughly implemented the three basic functions of a state management agency: (i) Advising on the development of plans and programs; (ii) Advising on and promulgating mechanisms and policies; (iii) Conducting inspection and supervision of implementation, contributing to the successful achievement of the country's socio-economic goals, especially in the industrial and commercial sectors.

Furthermore, the spirit of solidarity, unity, and democracy throughout the agency and within each unit of the Ministry continues to be promoted. Issues related to the legitimate rights and interests of officials, civil servants, and employees are ensured. Opinions, suggestions, and proposals from officials, civil servants, and employees are considered, addressed, and handled appropriately.

“Every year we have at least two opportunities to listen to and address the opinions of workers. These are the conference of officials and civil servants, usually held at the beginning of the calendar year, and the dialogue between the Ministry's leadership and all leaders of units under the Ministry in July or August. All concerns, suggestions, and proposals are considered and resolved satisfactorily to the best of our ability. The Ministry of Industry and Trade also promotes a relatively high level of democracy, basically resolving legitimate suggestions and proposals without creating new grievances,” the Minister reaffirmed.

The Minister also noted that many outstanding, prominent, or newly arising issues and cases have been and are being considered and resolved systematically, in accordance with regulations and appropriate to the situation, and that a democratic and unified atmosphere has been fostered in many units.

The infrastructure, equipment, machinery, and working conditions of the entire agency and its units continue to be upgraded, supplemented, and improved (such as repairing the office building, promoting digital transformation, and purchasing equipment...).

Personnel management has been prioritized to ensure the right person is in the right job, in accordance with regulations. The recruitment, promotion, and transfer of civil servants and public employees have been conducted seriously, openly, and transparently.

The Ministry's leadership and the leadership of various units have paid more attention to caring for the material and spiritual well-being of officials, civil servants, and employees. As a result, officials, civil servants, and employees feel secure in their work and have confidence in the leadership, guidance, and management of leaders at all levels.

The role of institutions within the leadership apparatus, from Party committees and organizations to mass organizations, has been enhanced to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of cadres, civil servants, and workers. The pioneering and exemplary role of leaders and managers at all levels has been gradually improved.

However, alongside the achievements, the Minister also frankly pointed out the shortcomings, limitations, and weaknesses in the units' operations that need to be addressed, along with their causes (especially subjective causes), in order to create more substantial and significant changes in the future.

Emphasizing that the tasks for the industry in 2025 are immense, with the Central Committee and the National Assembly setting a GDP growth target of 8% and striving for double-digit growth, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien stated that to achieve such GDP growth, the Industry and Trade sector must increase its growth coefficient by 1.2; and the energy sector by 1.5. This means we must increase at least 10-12% in the industrial sector and 12-16% in the energy sector to meet the growth target.

“While the global and regional context remains unstable, with an open economy like Vietnam's, achieving an 8% growth target is difficult, and 10% or more is even more challenging. Therefore, we need to innovate our thinking and methods to achieve the assigned goals and tasks,” the Minister said, while also urging Party committees, Party organizations, units, and officials, civil servants, and employees of the Ministry to focus on effectively implementing the following key tasks:

Firstly, it is essential to continue doing a good job of researching, understanding, and promptly institutionalizing the Party and State's guidelines and policies, especially the Resolutions, Conclusions, and Directives of the Central Committee, the National Assembly, and the Government on socio-economic development in 2025, in order to organize their serious, decisive, creative, and effective implementation and achieve the set goals.

First and foremost, it is urgent to develop a Program and Action Plan to implement Resolution No. 57 dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation, and national digital transformation; and the Resolutions of the National Assembly and the Government on socio-economic development in 2025, in order to decisively and effectively implement the assigned tasks from the very first day and month of the new year.

"This week, the Ministry will issue an Action Program to implement Government Resolution 01, and an Action Program to implement Politburo Resolution 57," the Minister said.

Secondly, each unit under the Ministry needs to closely adhere to the political tasks of the Sector, the Work Program and directives of the Government, the Prime Minister and the Party Committee, and the Ministry's leadership to develop action plans, clearly assign responsibilities, and conduct specific and regular checks and supervision.

Thirdly, continue to do a good job in ideological work so that cadres, civil servants, public employees, and workers can work with peace of mind and have absolute confidence in the Party and State's leadership guidelines and policies, and the direction and management of the Party Committee and the Ministry's leadership.

Organizations need to launch and organize more emulation movements and implement them effectively, contributing to the successful fulfillment of assigned tasks throughout the entire sector.

Continue to vigorously promote administrative reform, innovate working methods and procedures, and create strong transformations throughout the entire system.

Fourth, every official, civil servant, employee, and worker needs to focus on enhancing proactiveness and timeliness in advising and proposing to unit leaders and Ministry leaders, and be decisive and responsible in organizing implementation to achieve the highest efficiency.

At the same time, strictly adhere to and implement the principle: Only do what the law permits; perform assigned duties and responsibilities correctly, do not allow work to be delayed, and do not pass the buck between units or individuals ; proactively detect and promptly and seriously handle any errors or violations (if any) in accordance with the law.

Fifth, further promote digital transformation in all work activities, especially the building, connection, and sharing of common databases; using digital signatures and receiving and processing all administrative procedures in a level 4 electronic environment to create more convenience for businesses and citizens.

Sixth, continue to prioritize investment in upgrading facilities, equipment, and working conditions for officials, civil servants, and employees; promptly supplement and replace missing or outdated equipment to meet the professional work requirements of units, departments, and individuals; and at the same time, save on recurrent expenditures to focus on caring for and improving the material and spiritual lives of employees in each unit.

Seventh, proactively review, assess, and accurately understand the situation in each unit to find appropriate solutions based on legal regulations, Party charter principles, and in accordance with the specific context and situation, preventing conflicts, grievances, and internal disunity.

Eighth, focus on promoting democracy in discussion and action; promote the leadership role of Party committees, Party organizations, and collective leadership of units with the motto "Comprehensive leadership; Issues must be primarily directed and resolved by the Party committees, Party organizations, and collective leadership of that unit."

According to the Minister of Information, after the re-establishment of Party organizations within state agencies, the Party committees and organizations will comprehensively lead political tasks.

"Therefore, the Party committees and organizations in each unit will lead the unit's political tasks. The Party committee of the Ministry of Industry and Trade comprehensively leads the tasks of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. So, we need a new understanding of the responsibilities and duties of Party committees and organizations, and we must determine that issues should be primarily addressed by the Party committee, organization, and collective leadership of that unit, without passing the buck to higher levels," the Minister of Industry and Trade clearly stated.

In addition, the Minister also requested that the role of mass organizations and the exemplary spirit of the leadership and heads of each unit be emphasized. At the same time, the role of people's inspectors should be effectively promoted, and preparations should be made for dialogues between the Ministry's leaders to resolve issues in the units.

Ninth, continue to review, amend, and supplement the working regulations, rules, and regulations of the Party Committee (soon to be the Ministry's Party Committee) and the Ministry's leadership to conform with the new institutional structure according to the new regulations.

Tenth, the collective leadership and civil servants, public employees, and workers of the units under the Ministry need to thoroughly understand and strictly implement the Party and State's guidelines and the directives of the Party Committee and the Ministry's leadership regarding policies and regulations for civil servants, public employees, and workers in the implementation of organizational restructuring according to the provisions of Decree 178/2024/ND-CP and other related policies and regulations on the restructuring and streamlining of the organizational apparatus of the units. Immediately after Tet, the Ministry will implement the spirit of Resolution 178 and the Politburo's directives, ensuring the target of reducing at least 20% of civil servants and public employees receiving salaries from the state budget as directed by the Government.

The head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade also requested that each unit must lead and organize the implementation effectively to retain talented, skilled, and responsible individuals, while also adequately addressing the benefits and policies for those belonging to the groups eligible for policy support according to current regulations.

Reiterating the motto set for 2024, "Inheritance, innovation, and striving for excellence," Minister Nguyen Hong Dien stated that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has already achieved significant milestones. Therefore, in 2025, the guiding principle for the Ministry of Industry and Trade's actions will be: "Targets assigned/ Reaching even higher levels/ Industry and Trade strives/ Resolutely every day/ Everyone is enthusiastic/ Taking decisive action to achieve victory."

Regarding the suggestions and proposals from the units at today's conference, the Minister stated that the Party Committee and the leadership of the Ministry of Industry and Trade acknowledge them and have assigned the Department of Organization and Personnel to take the lead, in coordination with the Ministry's Trade Union, to compile and report to the Ministry's leadership for timely resolution within their authority (or report to the competent authority for consideration and resolution according to regulations).

The Presidium instructed the Secretariat to incorporate the directives of Comrade Nguyen Hong Dien, Secretary of the Party Committee and Minister, to finalize the draft Resolution for the Conference's consideration, and it was unanimously approved by 100% of the delegates.