Comprehensively institutionalize the Party's guidelines, policies and laws of the State, gradually mastering nuclear power technology

Overview of the Session (Photo: National Assembly Electronic Information Portal).

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh said that the draft Law on Atomic Energy (amended) was developed by the Ministry of Science and Technology in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents. The draft Law consists of 12 chapters and 73 articles (20 articles less than the 2008 Law).

According to the Deputy Minister, the draft content closely follows the four policies agreed upon by the Government in Resolution 240/NQ-CP dated December 17, 2024 on the Special Session on Lawmaking in November 2024, specifically: Promoting the development and socialization of atomic energy applications; Ensuring radiation safety, nuclear safety and security, decentralization in state management; Facilitating nuclear inspection activities; Managing radioactive waste, spent radioactive sources and spent nuclear fuel; Responding to radiation incidents, nuclear incidents; Civil liability for nuclear damage.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh speaks at the meeting (Photo: National Assembly Electronic Information Portal).

On behalf of the review agency, the full-time member of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, National Assembly delegate Vuong Quoc Thang affirmed that the Committee basically agrees with the necessity of promulgating the Law on Atomic Energy (amended) as proposed by the Government in Submission No. 164/TTr-CP dated April 1, 2025. In addition, the Committee emphasized the following viewpoints and requirements when amending the Law on Atomic Energy:

Firstly, promptly, fully and comprehensively institutionalize the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws, especially the content on strengthening the country's scientific and technological potential, gradually mastering nuclear power technology; training human resources, especially leading experts, in conjunction with the overall program for developing the application of atomic energy and nuclear power; improving domestic capacity to localize nuclear power equipment.

Second, develop and complete and ensure synchronization and uniformity of regulations in the legal system on atomic energy; review and promptly issue a large number of legal documents and instructions for law enforcement, including regulations related to nuclear power plants (for example, develop and issue national standards on nuclear power plants based on reference and application of international standards...).

Third, implement reforms towards effectiveness, efficiency, decentralization, clearly defining functions and tasks, clearly and fully regulating the responsibilities of relevant agencies regarding radiation safety, nuclear safety and security.

Full-time member of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment, National Assembly delegate Vuong Quoc Thang speaks at the meeting (Photo: National Assembly Electronic Information Portal).

Fourth, sustainably develop the application of atomic energy; fulfill Vietnam's international commitments and obligations; strengthen international cooperation in the field of atomic energy, contributing to creating new momentum for the country's rapid and sustainable development in the new era.

Fifth, ensure full concretization of the four policies for drafting the Law according to the Law drafting proposal approved by the National Assembly.

Sixth, strictly implement Regulation 178-QD/TW dated June 27, 2024 of the Politburo on controlling power, preventing and combating corruption and negativity in law-making work (Regulation 178-QD/TW). On that basis, the draft Law inherits the provisions of the current Law on Atomic Energy; supplements a number of provisions to ensure consistency with the Handbook on Nuclear Law of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); amends a number of provisions to synchronize the legal system, handle practical issues that have not been regulated by the current Law on Atomic Energy and legal documents detailing and guiding the Law or current regulations that are no longer suitable.

At the meeting, delegates requested the agency in charge of drafting the draft Law on Atomic Energy (amended) to continue reviewing and comparing the provisions in the draft with relevant laws to ensure consistency and unity of the legal system.

Discussions focused on a number of key issues such as: Promoting the development and socialization of atomic energy applications; Ensuring radiation safety, nuclear safety and security, decentralization in state management; Facilitating nuclear inspection activities; Managing radioactive waste, spent radioactive sources and spent nuclear fuel; Responding to radiation incidents and nuclear incidents; Civil liability for nuclear damage; Legislative initiatives to ensure that the Law truly removes current bottlenecks and obstacles.

In addition, delegates also gave their opinions on the authority to decide and approve investment policies for nuclear power projects; Grant construction licenses, test operations, and official operations for nuclear power plants...

In addition, there are suggestions that the Drafting Committee should consider supplementing support policies for teaching and training staff in the field of nuclear energy to encourage and attract human resources for teaching. Currently, current policies are only for learners, workers and training facilities in the field of nuclear energy.

Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung speaks at the meeting (Photo: National Assembly Electronic Information Portal).

Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung acknowledged and explained the opinions and proposals of the delegates. The opinions were all very valid and convincing for the drafting agency of the Law on Atomic Energy (amended) to continue studying and reviewing during the process of completing the Law project before sending it to the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment for consideration and submission to the National Assembly at the 9th Session.

In his concluding remarks, Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy acknowledged the opinions of the Ethnic Council, the National Assembly's Committees and relevant agencies; and at the same time requested that agencies and delegates continue to study and contribute their opinions so that the Committee can complete and report to the National Assembly.

Chairman of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy speaks at the meeting (Photo: National Assembly Electronic Information Portal).

Chairman of the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment Le Quang Huy requested the Ministry of Science and Technology to study the proposals and recommendations at the Session to fully absorb and revise the draft Law. Based on the results of the Committee's Plenary Session, the Standing Committee of the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment directed the Department of Science, Technology and Environment to absorb the opinions of the delegates to complete the draft Verification Report and send it to the National Assembly delegates for comments; requested the members of the Committee to study and have a consensus so that the Standing Committee of the Committee for Science, Technology and Environment can complete and issue the Report to the National Assembly delegates for consideration and approval at the 9th Session.

Center for Science and Technology Communication (synthesis)

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/the-che-hoa-toan-dien-duong-loi-cua-dang-chinh-sach-phap-luat-cua-nha-nuoc-tung-buoc-lam-chu-cong-nghe-dien-nhat-nhan-197250503194511646.htm