Focus on perfecting institutions and policies on seas and islands

Attending the meeting were representatives of leaders of units under the Ministry including: Department of Legislation, Department of Planning and Finance, Department of Organization and Personnel, Department of International Cooperation, Department of Science and Technology, Ministry Inspectorate and Ministry Office; all leaders of the Department and leaders of units under the Vietnam Sea and Islands Administration.

Deputy Minister Le Minh Ngan gave a speech at the Conference

Reporting on the results of the implementation of tasks in 2023, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Sea and Islands Administration Nguyen Thanh Tung said that with the attention and direction of the Ministry's leaders, the coordination and guidance of the functional units under the Ministry, the Administration has arranged and consolidated its apparatus, quickly stabilized and put into operation according to the new model.

In addition, the Department has guided and coordinated with localities in the work of comprehensive management of resources and protection of the marine and island environment, basically resolving contradictions, conflicts or risks of contradictions and conflicts of interests in the exploitation and use of resources for socio- economic development, security and defense protection, contributing to the good implementation of the functions and tasks assigned to the Department.

At the same time, a coordination mechanism has been established with a number of agencies and forces directly related to the State management scope of the Department through signing regulations on coordination of actions in the management of marine and island resources and environment, sustainable development of the marine economy, ensuring national defense, security and foreign affairs.

According to Mr. Tung, in 2023, implementing the Ministry's 2023 Work Program and the tasks assigned by the Ministry's Leaders, the Department received 12,633 incoming documents, submitted 370 Submission Forms to the Ministry, and issued 2,000 outgoing documents; in which, the Department advised the Ministry to submit to the Government for approval the Strategy for exploitation and sustainable use of resources, protection of marine and island environment until 2030, with a vision to 2045; completed the work of preparing the National Marine Spatial Planning dossier, the Master Plan for exploitation and sustainable use of coastal resources to submit to the Ministry for submission to competent authorities; submitted to the Ministry for issuance of 2 Circulars; implemented activities of investigating marine resources and environment, updating databases; strengthened international cooperation activities on marine resources and environment, etc.

Director of Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands Nguyen Duc Toan speaks at the Conference

According to Deputy Director Nguyen Thanh Tung, in addition to the achieved results, there are still some difficulties and problems such as: The legal field on marine and island resources and environment is still new, sensitive and complicated, especially on the transfer and use of sea areas, so the process of building, amending, supplementing and perfecting has encountered many difficulties, there are many different opinions, requiring careful research on theory, international experience and practical implementation; Some coastal localities have not paid due attention to the management of resources and protection of the marine and island environment...

Regarding the tasks in 2024, Deputy Director Nguyen Thanh Tung said that the Department will continue to research and review the system of policies and laws on marine and island resources and environment to continue to propose adjustments, amendments and supplements accordingly, meeting the requirements of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of state management, administrative reform, promoting development...

In addition, focus on advising on the deployment and urging the implementation of the Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045; Strategy for sustainable exploitation of resources and protection of the marine and island environment to 2030, with a vision to 2045; Key program for basic investigation of marine and island resources and environment to 2030; Communication program on seas and oceans to 2030...

Deputy Director of Vietnam Sea and Islands Administration Nguyen Thanh Tung speaks at the Conference

Urgently complete the quality assurance dossier and submit it to competent authorities for the National Marine Spatial Planning; develop and submit to the Prime Minister the Plan for implementing the National Marine Spatial Planning and the Master Plan for exploiting and sustainably using coastal resources.

Carry out the tasks of the Standing Agency of the National Steering Committee on the implementation of the Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045; coordinate the implementation of the Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045. Implement the task of "Developing the project to develop the Hai Phong - Quang Ninh area to become a modern, international, leading marine economic center in Southeast Asia and a driving force for development of the region". Coordinate with the General Department of Hydrometeorology, the Department of Surveying, Mapping and Geographic Information of Vietnam in determining and submitting to the Ministry for promulgation the average lowest sea level edge over many years, the outer boundary line of the 3-nautical mile sea area, the 6-nautical mile sea area of the largest islands in the island districts of Vietnam.

Carry out the settlement of administrative procedures for sea area allocation; grant of sea dumping permits; grant of scientific research permits in Vietnam's sea areas; exploit and use the database of marine and island resources and environment in accordance with the process and progress; research and give comments on administrative procedure settlement records at the request of the People's Committees of coastal provinces and centrally run cities sent for comments. Research and advise on responses to requests and comments from all levels, ministries, branches and localities to ensure quality and progress.

In particular, strengthen management, inspection and supervision in basic investigation of seas and islands; exploitation of resources and protection of the marine and island environment; perform the tasks of the focal agency performing the tasks of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in responding to, overcoming and resolving the consequences of oil spills at sea.

Be proactive in international cooperation, promote research, development, application exploitation, transfer, publication and dissemination of scientific research results and technology development in basic investigation, comprehensive management of resources, protection of marine and island environment; successfully organize international and domestic conferences and seminars; build and implement international agreements and treaties, ODA projects; continue to build and manage the information system and database of national marine and island resources and environment.

Carry out more regular dissemination and education of policies and laws on marine and island resources and environment, and propaganda about the sea and ocean. Improve the effectiveness of coordination between the Department and relevant units; proactively advise the Ministry to strengthen coordination between the Ministry and relevant agencies, forces and coastal localities in resource management, protection of marine and island environment...

At the Conference, representatives of the leaders of the units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment congratulated the achievements of the Vietnam Sea and Islands Administration in 2023 and said that they would strengthen the Administration so that the Administration could successfully complete its tasks in 2024. Delegates also proposed that the Administration should focus on perfecting the organization, perfecting the institutions, and strengthening the State management of seas and islands.

Speaking at the Conference, Deputy Minister Le Minh Ngan acknowledged and congratulated the achievements of the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands in 2023, especially in quickly perfecting the organizational structure, completing 2 Plans, 2 Decrees on sea and island management... as a legal basis for effective management of resources, and tapping resources from the sea and islands.

To continue promoting the achieved results, in 2024, the Deputy Minister agreed with the direction, tasks and solutions of the Department, and at the same time suggested that the Department should further promote the spirit of solidarity, proactiveness, creativity, and strive to complete assigned tasks, especially in perfecting institutions and policies; perfecting marine planning according to the direction of competent authorities; focusing on summarizing the Law on marine and island environmental resources in 2015; strengthening international cooperation; strengthening coordination with units under the Ministry in performing tasks.

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