Resolution No. 26/NQ-CP 2020 the overall plan and 5-year plan to implement Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW

resolution

Promulgating the Government’s overall plan and 5-year plan to implement Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW of October 22, 2018, of the eighth plenum of the Party Central Committee, the XII^thCongress, on the Strategy on sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy through 2030, with a vision toward 2045^[1]

THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW of October 22, 2018, of the eighth plenum of the Party Central Committee, the XII^thCongress, on the Strategy on sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy through 2030, with a vision toward 2045;

Pursuant to the June 19, 2015 Law on Organization of the Government;

At the proposal of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in Report No. 26/TTr-BTNMT of May 29, 2019,

RESOLVES:

To promulgate the Government’s overall plan and 5-year plan to implement Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW of October 22, 2018, of the eighth plenum of the Party Central Committee, the XII^thCongress, on the Strategy on sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy through 2030, with a vision toward 2045 (below referred to as Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW), with the following principal contents:

A. OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS

I. OBJECTIVES

1. For the overall plan through 2030, with a vision to 2045

To concretize the viewpoints, objectives, major policies, breakthroughs and major solutions on sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy through 2030, with a vision toward 2045, set out in Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW; to identify central tasks and implementation roadmaps, and assign specific tasks to related ministries, sectors and localities.

2. For the 5-year plan through 2025

To clearly identify central and urgent tasks to be prioritized for performance through 2025 with a view to implementing major policies, breakthroughs and major solutions on sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy as set out in Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW.

To assign agencies responsible for and agencies coordinating in organizing the performance of the tasks, ensuring compatibility with the capacity and the ability to mobilize resources of the economy, including state budget funds, private investment, foreign investment and development aid.

Proper implementation of the 5-year plan through 2025 constitutes a fundamental and important condition for successfully implementing the overall plan through 2030, with a vision toward 2045.

II. REQUIREMENTS

1. General requirements

To ensure profound understanding and full and comprehensive perception of the contents of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW throughout the process of organizing the implementation of the Government’s overall plan and 5-year plan.

To promote innovation and creativity and ensure sustainability in the development of Vietnam’s marine economy and building of Vietnam’s marine brand; to create significant improvements in the exploitation and efficient and rational use of sea areas, coastal areas and islands; to ensure feasibility in the mobilization and use of resources in light of international and domestic situations.

To ensure full exercise of lawful rights and interests of Vietnam in the East Sea in conformity with international law of the sea, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law on the Sea (UNCLOS).

2. Specific requirements

To synchronously implement major solutions for sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy set out in Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW on the basis of objectively and comprehensively considering the implementation capacity and conditions of each ministry, sector and locality.

To diversify, mobilize and efficiently use investment capital sources, including state budget funds, private investment, foreign investment and development aid to serve sustainable development of marine economy.

To ensure integration, inclusion, non-overlap, continuity and inheritance of results of performance of the tasks assigned to ministries, sectors and localities in the previous period. To identify a number of specific tasks for the 2026-2030 period.

B. CONTENTS AND SOLUTIONS

I. OVERALL PLAN THROUGH 2030, WITH A VISION TOWARD 2045

1. Regarding sea and ocean governance and coastal zone management

- To periodically review, evaluate, amend and supplement sea- and island-related policies and laws toward giving priority to improving the legal corridor, renewing and developing the green growth model, protecting the environment, promoting marine ecological civilization, raising productivity, quality, international competitiveness and public investment efficiency of sea-based industries, and sea and coastal areas; to encourage the participation of different economic sectors in the sustainable development of marine economy in conformity with international standards and treaties to which Vietnam is a contracting party, especially the UNCLOS. To continue formulating and completing standards, technical regulations, and techno-economic norms for integrated management of marine and island resources and protection of the marine and island environment.

- To further strengthen and renew the organizational apparatus and operate the system of agencies to perform integrated and unified state management of seas and islands from the central to local level; to build a pool of sea and island management personnel with adequate qualities and modern, professional qualifications. To increase the effectiveness of coordination among management bodies, and between the State and residential communities, enterprises and stakeholders through specific mechanisms and instruments of coordination. To improve the organizational model and raise the capacity for management of islands, archipelagoes, banks, low-tide elevations, and coastal areas.

- To conduct annual assessments of the overall sea and island governance index of coastal provinces and centrally run cities based on international standards as a basis for enhancing integrated management of marine and island resources and protecting the marine and island environment. To conduct twice every 5 years assessments of the overall index of the implementation of the objectives and contents stated in Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW, thereby working out appropriate solutions and plans to raise the efficiency of sea and ocean governance and coastal zone management. Once every 5 years, to review and comprehensively evaluate the implementation of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW and put forth policies suitable to the new situation.

2. Regarding the development of marine and coastal economy

a/ Sea-based tourism and services

- To develop technical infrastructure facilities and physical foundations of the tourism industry in areas which are crucial and favorable for coastal and island tourism development; to encourage and create conditions for different economic sectors to participate in developing and forming large-scale tourism service complexes and projects, high-quality shopping and entertainment centers, and eco-, science- and community-based tourism.

- To develop tours to offshore islands in combination with other sea-based services on a pilot basis. To promote sea-based tourism advertising and diversify sea-based tourism products, product chains and brands of international standards on the basis of conserving biodiversity, promoting values of unique natural, cultural and historical heritages of regions and areas to be linked with international tours. To organize marine culture and cuisine festivals so as to attract domestic and foreign tourists to sea areas and islands of Vietnam in combination with raising patriotism among the population.

- To develop favorable mechanisms and policies for coastal people to change their trades and directly engage in doing and benefit from tourism business. To introduce incentives for tourism businesses to develop marine and island eco-tourism products and organize tours to offshore islands. To develop mechanisms and policies for development of rescue and salvage services; to bring into play the role of socio-professional organizations and residential communities in developing sea-based tourism and services.

b/ Maritime economy

- To develop the system of seaports nationwide according to the overall and uniform master plan with a view to satisfying national industrialization and modernization requirements; to build physical and technical foundations so that the country can quickly integrate and compete in seaport activities with other countries in the region and the world. To form major international economic exchange hubs as a driving force for development of coastal economic zones and urban-industrial zones.

- To study and adjust the master plan on development of Soc Trang port and Tran De harbor in the master plan on development of Vietnam’s seaport system in the 2020-2030 period.

- To develop a rationally structured fleet of high-quality, modern, safe, less-polluting, energy-efficient and increasingly competitive container ships for proactive regional and international integration.

- To synchronously develop transport and multimodal transport support services, especially raising the quality of logistics services for reducing logistics costs, effectively connecting transport infrastructure systems, and developing logistics services into an industry that brings about high added value and contributes to raising competitiveness of the national economy.

c/ Exploitation of oil and gas and other marine mineral resources

- To continue to survey and explore minerals, oil and gas, and non-traditional hydrocarbons in deep-sea sedimentary zones so as to increase mineral and oil and gas reserves.

- To raise the efficiency of exploitation and coefficient of recovery of marine mineral resources in association with deep processing; to harmonize exploitation and processing with protection of the marine environment and conservation of marine biodiversity.

- To concentrate investment on building key infrastructure facilities and industrial parks for developing the chain of oil and gas and mineral activities; to promote international cooperation, and develop, exchange and transfer technologies in the field of oil and gas and minerals.

d/ Aquaculture and fishing

- To focus on developing marine and coastal aquaculture toward modern, hi-tech-based commodity production.

- To give priority to the switch from a number of fishing gear codes that destruct aquatic resources and banned fishing gear codes in order to reduce the fishing intensity in sea areas; to strongly develop offshore and ocean fishing gear codes on an industrial scale, combining sustainable fishing with protection and development of aquatic resources. To adjust the number of fishing ships and catchable volumes suitable to available resources in each sea area to ensure efficiency and sustainability. To modernize the management of fishing ships, assurance of safety for fishermen and fishing ships, and preservation of fished products with advanced technologies with a view to promoting the development of marine economy, thus affirming the country’s sovereignty over its seas and islands in conformity with international law.

- To continue to form a complete system of fisheries infrastructure facilities and combine support industries and fishing logistics services so as to promote the growth and raise the efficiency of fishing, aquaculture, and processing and sale of aquatic products.

- To build and operate rational models of production organization in aquaculture and fishing; to increase the productivity, quality and efficiency suitable to the conditions of the environment and aquatic resources; to raise the living standards of fishermen, thus contributing to assurance of national defense and security in sea areas and on islands of Vietnam.

- To build islands into stations to supply essentials and logistics services for fishing, provide shelters from typhoons, and supply fuels and preliminarily process marine products for offshore fishing ships.

dd/ Coastal industries

- To prioritize the development of industries using environment-friendly high technologies, platform technologies and source technologies.

- To rationally develop ship building and repair, oil refining and petrochemical, energy, mechanical engineering, processing, and support industries.

- To ensure the development objectives and orientation of coastal economic zones in conformity with the conditions, potentials and advantages of localities and regions on the basis of harmonizing the interests of localities and regions with those of the nation.

- To synchronously renew mechanisms and policies for making great strides in the sustainable development of coastal industries, while ensuring the simultaneous settlement of environmental and social issues and raising the efficiency in the use of natural resources, conservation of energy and development of social infrastructure.

e/ Renewable energy and new sea-based industries

- To develop the manufacture of equipment serving the renewable energy industry, proceeding to mastering a number of technologies and designing and manufacturing equipment.

- To pay attention to developing a number of industries based on exploitation of marine biodiversity resources such as mangrove forests, marine pharmaceuticals, seaweeds, etc.

- To support investment in survey, research and trial manufacture programs and build typical use points for renewable energy; to offer preferential import duties on new equipment and technologies, and preferential tax rates for production and sale of equipment; to protect copyright for valuable inventions and technical improvements in the field of renewable energy and new sea-based industries.

g/ Development of sea areas

- For the northern sea and coastal areas (Quang Ninh - Ninh Binh): To continue to build the area of Quang Ninh and Hai Phong into a marine economic center; to build Quang Ninh into a national tourist center linked with major international tourist centers of the region and the world. To turn Hai Phong into an international seaport logistics service center and a large fisheries center linked with the fishing ground of the Tonkin Gulf; to develop inshore and offshore aquatic product processing and aquaculture activities in both Quang Ninh and Hai Phong.

- For sea and coastal areas in the North Central and Central Coast regions (Thanh Hoa - Binh Thuan): To develop deep-water seaports for international transshipment, and special-use seaports linked with industrial complexes, oil and gas, electricity, renewable energy and clean industry areas; to develop large tourist centers; to carry out aquaculture and fishing and aquatic product processing and provide fisheries logistics and infrastructure services.

- For sea and coastal areas in the Southeast region (Ba Ria-Vung Tau - Ho Chi Minh City): To develop international container seaports, seaport logistics services and maritime safety assurance services, oil and gas exploitation and processing industries, support industries, and oil and gas industry services; to develop Ba Ria-Vung Tau into a large fisheries center linked with the Southeastern fishing ground; to develop aquatic product processing and inshore and offshore aquaculture.

- For sea and coastal areas in the Southwestern region (Tien Giang - Ca Mau - Kien Giang): To build and develop Phu Quoc into an international-level marine service and eco-tourism center; to develop gas industry, gas processing, gas-fired power, renewable energy, aquaculture, fishing, and fisheries logistics services and infrastructure facilities connected with major economic centers in the region and the world.

h/ Development of marine and coastal infrastructure facilities

- To renovate and upgrade breakwaters, sand-sheltering dikes and embankments of a number of navigation channels to ensure their stable operation.

- To build roads linking seaports with regions and localities in Vietnam and overseas to serve sustainable development of marine economy.

- To formulate and implement mechanisms and policies to support enterprises investing in infrastructure facilities for marine and coastal economic activities.

3. Regarding improvement of people’s lives, building of marine culture and sea-friendly society

- To build adequate socio-economic infrastructure facilities, especially electricity, fresh water, information and communications, health and education facilities, on islands.

- To enable people living and working at sea and on islands to access and use quality health services with a view to improving their health; to fully implement international healthcare guidelines for offshore activities; to continue to survey and assess the human development index of 28 coastal provinces and centrally run cities against the average national level on an annual basis.

- To build, upgrade and develop cultural institutions for marine and coastal communities, including physical foundations, organizational apparatus, personnel, operation regulation, and operation budgets.

- To maintain, restore and develop historical-cultural festivals and relics; to conserve cultural and architectural space and natural heritages; to maintain and develop typical cultural centers in coastal provinces and centrally run cities.

- To disseminate basic scientific knowledge about marine and island ecosystems; to regularly carry out communication campaigns for raising public awareness about the importance of seas and oceans in the process of socio-economic development in coastal provinces and centrally run cities.

- To provide education and raise awareness and knowledge for pupils and students at all educational levels about seas, oceans, living skills, and adaptation to climate change and sea level rise, and disaster prevention and control.

- To build complete mechanisms for management of coast protection corridors, guaranteeing people’s right of access to the sea in coastal provinces and centrally run cities.

4. Regarding marine science, technology and development of human resources

- To carry out innovation activities, apply advanced scientific and technological achievements and step up research into marine science and technology in association with baseline marine surveys.

- To establish centers for scientific research and application of advanced and outstanding technologies such as marine biotechnology, and space technology in marine surveillance and seabed exploitation on the basis of inheriting and developing available resources.

- To train high-quality human resources for sea-based activities; to adopt mechanisms for attracting experts, scientists and high-quality human resources at home and abroad to work for the national cause of sea and island development.

- To promote cooperation with and call for support from international and regional partners and organizations for development of human resources and infrastructure facilities in sea and coastal areas, scientific research, and application of modern technologies in sea-based industries, environmental protection, natural disaster prevention and control, and adaptation to climate change and sea level rise. To promote and actively participate in international activities in response to the United Nations’ Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

5. Regarding the environment and response to natural disasters, climate change and sea level rise

- To continue to review, formulate and effectively implement schemes, projects and tasks set out in the key program on baseline survey of marine and island resources and environment.

- To complete the integration and digitalization of sea and island databases of ministries, sectors and localities into the national sea database; to upgrade technological infrastructure enabling the input, update, exploitation and sharing of data for sea and island information systems and databases of ministries, sectors and localities.

- To invest in adequate infrastructure facilities and equipment for the collection and treatment of hazardous wastes, wastewater and household solid wastes up to environmental technical regulations, and carry out collection and treatment activities.

- To implement the approved master plans on coastal economic zones, industrial parks, industrial complexes and urban centers, ensuring sustainability, ecosystem reliance, smart adaptation to climate change and sea level rise, and compliance with the law on environmental protection,

- To formulate and effectively implement survey and scientific research schemes, projects and tasks to provide grounds for identifying, proposing the expansion of, and forming marine protected areas.

- To ensure a unified management mechanism and build capacity in the management of marine biodiversity; to formulate and implement regulations on exchange of information and coordination in building international marine protected areas with regional countries and international organizations.

- To organize the implementation of overall master plans and detailed plans on the system of marine protected areas and aquatic resource protection zones; to build a number of essential infrastructure facilities and support the operation of management units of marine protected areas; to formulate and implement mechanisms and policies for changing jobs and creating livelihoods for people living within and close to marine protected areas.

- To further implement programs, schemes, projects and tasks on restoration and development of coral ecosystems, sea grasses, lagoons, tidal banks and estuaries, mangrove forests, and coastal protection forests.

- To build marine animal rescue centers in a number of marine protected areas.

- To build smart cities in adaptation to climate change and sea level rise in coastal provinces and centrally run cities.

- To upgrade systems for forecast and warning of natural disasters, earthquakes and tsunami; to prevent and control seawater intrusion and coastal landslide and erosion, and floods; to improve policies on finance and insurance against the risk of natural disaster.

- To invest in and operate at least one special-use satellite for surveillance of natural disasters, marine environment, climate change and sea level rise; to build and strengthen forces and the system of facilities and equipment for automatic monitoring, surveillance and warning about environmental quality, response to environmental incidents and toxic chemical spills at sea; to manage marine debris, especially plastic debris; to improve marine environment quality. To connect, exchange, share and update information and databases on marine resources and eco-environment with Asian-Pacific and other countries and related international organizations.

6. Regarding assurance of national defense and security, foreign relations, and international cooperation

- To promote the combined strengths in firmly maintaining independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and safeguarding the air space, sea areas and islands of the Fatherland.

- To build strong forces of which the Navy, Air Defense and Air Force, Coast Guard and Border Guard forces are the core in combination with the forces of coastal military zones, fisheries resources surveillance forces, and marine militia and self-defense forces, etc., in order to be capable of properly managing and protecting the sovereignty over the country’s seas and islands, enforcing law at sea, building the operation capacity of the forces in charge of natural disaster prevention and mitigation and rescue and salvage at sea to firmly support our people in living and working at sea and on islands and carry out marine economic development activities; to build the all-people national defense posture and people’s security posture at sea through economic-national defense activities.

- To strengthen the people’s security posture in association with the all-people national defense posture at sea and on islands. To build the capacity to respond to and effectively deal with traditional and non-traditional security threats on the sea.

- To build strong and comprehensive public security forces in coastal areas and on islands as the core for ensuring political security and social order and safety at sea and on islands, thus ensuring security and safety for residents, workers and economic activities at sea, and frustrating all plots of abusing sea- and island-related issues to sabotage, or cause political instability, disrupt order and discipline or harm the safe and healthy environment in coastal areas and on islands.

- To invest in modern facilities and equipment, attaching importance to training human resources, raising the effectiveness of law enforcement, and increasing combat coordination among the forces participating in the protection of the national sovereignty over our seas and islands and the national interests, assurance of security and safety for people and economic activities at sea.

- To step up the organization of production and exploitation activities at sea; to encourage people to permanently settle on islands and earn a living from offshore fisheries to concurrently develop economic activities and protect the country’s seas and islands; to continue to build defense-economic zones on islands and archipelagoes.

II. FIVE YEAR PLAN THROUGH 2025

1. Regarding sea and ocean governance and coastal zone management

- To strengthen the system of central and local agencies performing the integrated and unified state management of seas and islands to become modern and synchronous; to build a contingent of capable and highly professional personnel. To improve coordination among related agencies and between central and local authorities in sea- and island-related affairs. To strengthen the Prime Minister-led interdisciplinary coordination agency directing the implementation of the Strategy on sustainable development of marine economy; to designate the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as the standing and assisting body of the coordinating agency; to establish its standing office at the Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands. To build the capacity of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands to properly perform their functions and tasks of standing bodies assisting the Government and Prime Minister in performing the integrated and unified management of seas and islands.

- To strengthen interdisciplinary coordination agencies directing the implementation of the Strategy on sustainable development of marine economy in coastal localities which are headed by chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees, and increase physical foundations and capacity for provincial-level Departments of Natural Resources and Environment and Sub-Departments of Seas and Islands of coastal provinces and centrally run cities to perform integrated and unified state management of seas and islands.

- To determine the scope and boundaries for sea management between coastal localities, ensuring the effective and efficient state management of seas and islands and avoiding overlaps and disputes at sea.

- To review and assess the system of policies and laws on seas and islands. To review the implementation of and revise the Law on Marine and Island Resources and Environment; to study scientific and practical grounds for drafting relevant laws on management of coastal zones, exploitation and use of sea areas, and management of islands; to formulate decrees and other legal documents on management of sea-encroachment activities, management of islands and management of coastal submerged land areas; to build a national set of criteria and statistical indicators on sustainable development of marine economy, and a set of criteria and overall indexes of coastal provinces and centrally run cities conformable with international standards for management of sea areas.

- To review, adjust, supplement or formulate strategies, master plans and plans on seas and islands to comply with Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW, focusing on the formulation of a master plan on national marine space for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2045, and an overall plan on exploitation and sustainable use of resources of coastal zones during 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045.

- To increase resources for the forces engaged in law enforcement, conducting baseline surveys, and performing integrated and unified management of seas and islands to serve sustainable development of marine economy.

- To review and evaluate the implementation of the Strategy on exploitation and sustainable use of marine resources and protection of the marine environment through 2020, with a vision to 2030, and the Strategy on integrated coastal zone management through 2020, with a vision to 2030, as a basis for formulating and promulgating a strategy on exploitation and sustainable use of marine and island resources and protection of the marine and island environment through 2030, with a vision to 2045, and a strategy on integrated coastal zone management through 2030, with a vision to 2045.

- To develop and operate in a stable and uninterrupted manner a coordination mechanism in licensing activities of dumping at sea and discharge of wastewater into the marine environment and in allocating sea areas with a view to increasing the effect and effectiveness of management of the exploitation and use of marine resources and protection of the marine environment.

- Twice every 5 years, to organize a forum on sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy with a view to assessing the implementation of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW and, at the same time, call for cooperation and resources for sustainable development of marine economy.

- To form and operate the Fund for promotion of sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy with the wide participation of domestic economic sectors and international partners; to study and formulate a national target program on sustainable development of marine economy.

- To develop and operate on a pilot basis a model of smart and advanced sea administration applying modern technologies in a number of coastal major cities and on islands, including those in Hai Phong, Da Nang, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Kien Giang and Ca Mau; to build a system for data transmission and communication based on advanced and smart technologies to serve islands.

- To diversify forms and contents of dissemination and education about the line and policies of the Party and policies and laws of the State, and knowledge about seas and islands to people at home, overseas Vietnamese and the international community. To formulate, and organize the implementation of, a program on communications about seas and islands through 2030.

2. Regarding development of marine and coastal economy

a/ Sea-based tourism and services

- To continue to strictly implement the Government’s Resolution No. 103/NQ-CP of October 6, 2017, on the Government’s program of action to implement Resolution No. 08-NQ/TW of January 16, 2017, of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee, the XII^thCongress, on development of tourism into a spearhead industry, focusing on development of sea-based tourism and services to meet the requirements set out in Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW.

- To review, formulate and issue incentive policies for planning, training and development of human resources, tourism advertising promotion, exit, transit and residence for foreigners in Vietnam in order to create breakthroughs in the development of sea-based tourism and services; to revise the list of investment incentives to be granted to tourism projects in areas that are crucial and dynamic for sustainable tourism development in coastal areas and on islands.

- To complete the set of national standards on tourism compatible with ASEAN standards; to review and complete the system of national standards and technical regulations on tourism up to regional and international standards.

- To build and develop high-quality sea resorts in Quang Ninh, Khanh Hoa and Kien Giang provinces. To develop on a pilot basis eco-tourism on some offshore islands.

b/ Maritime economy

- To build and efficiently manage and operate international ports in Hai Phong (Lach Huyen), Ba Ria-Vung Tau and central Vietnam’s key economic region; special-use large ports for metallurgy, oil refining and petrochemistry complexes and coal-operated thermal power centers. For Ba Ria-Vung Tau international port (Cai Mep harbor area), to arrange investment capital for lowering the bottom of channels leading to Cai Mep harbor so as to accommodate ships of up to 200,000 tons (18,000 TEU). At the same time, to upgrade existing terminal ports; to build some selected local ports with functions and scale suitable to socio-economic development requirements and fundraising ability. To develop ports with an appropriate scale in island districts to receive cargo serving socio-economic development in combination of national defense and security assurance.

- To upgrade, dredge and maintain navigation channels; to install and maintain signal systems; to build and maintain lighthouses and stations, etc., including those on frontier archipelagoes and islands under Vietnam’s sovereignty.

- To continue to develop Vietnam’s fleet of seagoing ships to be modern and effective; to attach importance to developing special-use large-tonnage ships meeting the demand for transportation of imports and exports on international routes and coastal routes, transportation of coal for thermal power plants, transportation of crude oil for oil refineries, and transportation of gas, liquefied gas and cement, etc. To further operate efficiently and safely coastal passenger transportation routes and mainland-to-island routes. To continue to develop ocean shipping support services and multimodal transportation, especially to improve the quality of logistics services.

- To increase the market share of transportation of imports and exports. To develop passenger transportation routes along coastal areas and to islands. At the same time, to enhance the role of state management, renew institutions and policies for creating a transparent and open legal framework, and reform administrative procedures through creating favorable conditions, removing difficulties and barriers, and encouraging all economic sectors to invest in the development of the fleet of seagoing ships.

- To develop ocean shipping services in synchrony with the system of seaports, focusing on effectively operating inland waterways in order to reduce land road traffic, reduce costs and increase transportation capacity. To bring into the fullest play geographical advantages of seaports, especially international ports, for accommodating large-tonnage ships transporting imports and exports in long distances; to increase cooperation with foreign seaport management authorities and ocean shipping firms to attract cargo transportation via Vietnamese seaports.

c/ Exploitation of oil and gas and other marine resources and minerals

- To study, survey and explore oil and gas in potential deposit reservoirs under exploitation, including Cuu Long, Nam Con Son, Song Hong, and Malay-Tho Chu reservoirs.

- To step up survey and exploration activities in offshore deep-sea reservoirs; to explore non-traditional hydrocarbons (gas hydrate, coal gas, clay gas, oil in clay, etc.).

- To combine oil and gas survey and exploration with investigation, survey and assessment of potentials of seabed resources and minerals, especially minerals of high value and strategic significance.

- To apply and update high technologies in the exploration, exploitation, processing and distribution of oil and gas products and other marine minerals, ensuring high efficiency and increasing the coefficient of oil and gas recovery, especially in small fields and marginal fields, and conserving other resources, and properly protecting ecological resources.

- To review, revise and improve the system of legal documents and develop incentive mechanisms and policies serving exploration and efficient and safe exploitation of oil and gas and minerals in each period.

d/ Aquaculture and fishing

- To shift from small-scale aquaculture with backward technologies to industrial- and large-scale aquaculture with modern, sustainable and environment-friendly technologies; to move fishing from coastal grounds and coastal areas with special and sensitive ecosystems and depleting aquatic resources and areas where fishing is likely to overlap with other economic activities to inshore and offshore seas.

- To build and operate models of artificial habitats for species of marine living organisms and climate change-resistant hi-tech membrane houses at sea and on islands, and make use of products from environment treatment solutions and treat by-products from aquatic product processing for increasing economic efficiency and incomes for fishermen on islands, contributing to protecting national defense and security at sea and on islands. To apply high and energy-efficient technologies to fishing activities in order to raise production efficiency and environmental friendliness.

- To design, issue and implement policies prioritizing investment in fisheries infrastructure facilities serving marine economic development, such as those for marine fishing and culture, on islands and in key fishing grounds; to promote  and attract foreign investment, private enterprises, and especially public-private partnership, in such fields as aquaculture, fishing, processing, preservation and export of aquatic products, and modernization of fisheries logistics systems.

- To continue to build fishing ports and storm shelter areas for fishing vessels, especially on important islands, so as to help fishermen carry out efficient fishing activities in offshore areas; to build and operate 6 major fisheries centers with 5 of them being linked with key fishing grounds.

- To survey and assess aquatic resources and habitats of aquatic species as a basis for planning, organizing and managing fishing activities; to study and apply advanced fishing methods and gears as well as post-harvest preservation technologies so as to increase efficiency.

- To establish and support a number of enterprises to act as the core in fishing, aquaculture, and processing of aquatic products in offshore sea areas and oceans.

dd/ Coastal industries

- To step up attraction of investment in and development of industries applying high and environment-friendly technologies, and projects using source technologies in coastal economic zones and industrial parks.

- To prioritize the development of deep-processing hi-tech industries for adding value.

- To adjust master plans on industries using fossil fuels likely to pollute the environment and increase greenhouse gas emissions.

- To mobilize resources outside the central budget and design mechanisms and policies conducive to development of coastal industries.

e/ Renewable energy and new sea-based industries

- To prioritize investment in the development of renewable energy on islands to serve production and daily-life activities and assurance of national defense and security.

- To develop mechanisms and policies to encourage individuals and economic organizations at home and abroad to coordinate with one another in exploiting new and renewable marine energy sources on the basis of mutual benefit.

- To promote the construction and exploitation of wind power, solar power and other forms of renewable energy at sea and on islands.

- To develop wind power projects in provinces with potential conditions, firstly in Binh Thuan, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau provinces.

g/ Development of sea areas

- To focus on development of sea-based tourism and services in areas with potential and advantages in some coastal localities.

- To build models of sustainable development and adaptation to climate change and sea level rise and models of sustainable ecosystems at sea and on islands in sea and coastal areas of North Central Coast, Central Coast and Southwestern regions.

- To build closed production processes based on industries of aquaculture, fishing, processing and treatment of aquatic products in combination with development of hi-tech agriculture adaptable to climate change on islands as a foundation for sustainable development of marine and island economy.

h/ Development of marine and coastal infrastructure facilities

- To strongly invest in the renovation and upgrading of some important navigation channels such as Hon Gai-Cai Lan, Nghi Son, Cua Lo, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Ba Ngoi, Cai Mep-Thi Vai, and Tran De; to renovate and upgrade the system of breakwaters, sand-sheltering dikes and embankments in some estuaries.

- To build lighthouses and synchronous and modern infrastructure systems, especially energy, health and freshwater systems, etc., on the Truong Sa archipelago.

- To continue building coastal road routes under planning.

- To step up investment in infrastructure of seaports, anchorage ports and piers in bays, gulfs and coastal urban centers to connect with islands, especially piers on such islands as Bach Long Vi, Con Co, Truong Sa, and Tho Chu, so as to increase their accessibility.

- To prioritize resources for building synchronous and modern infrastructure facilities to ensure connectivity and development of Vietnam’s system of coastal urban centers, islands and archipelagoes toward sustainability and protection of national sovereignty over seas and islands.

- To build infrastructure systems supplying clean water and irrigation water for development of industrial, daily-life, tourism and service activities in coastal areas and on inhabited islands.

3. Regarding improvement of people’s lives, building of marine culture and sea-attached and -friendly society

- To introduce sea- and ocean-related prizes to encourage organizations and individuals at home and abroad to participate in sea- and island-related activities.

- To survey and assess the human development index of 28 coastal provinces and centrally run cities, and annually compare it with the national average level.

- To review and assess actual conditions of socio-economic infrastructure facilities on inhabited islands; to supplement socio-economic infrastructure facilities, especially electricity, freshwater, information and communication, healthcare and education facilities on inhabited islands where they are insufficient or unavailable.

- To issue a set of health standards for sea areas and islands; all island communes will have health stations reaching health standards for sea areas and islands; 70% of hospitals and health centers in island districts will be capable of applying surgery techniques like grade-2 hospitals and be equipped with remote healthcare assistance systems; to build 4 emergency centers 115 capable of coordinating in providing emergency aid and transporting patients in emergency cases at sea; to build at 6 hospitals centers for admission and treatment of cases of special diseases in sea areas and on islands; to build 1 hospital ship and furnish medical emergency equipment for 1 or 2 coast guard ship(s); all ocean ships will fully comply with international regulations on assurance of marine medical care.

- To improve working conditions for seafarers and fishermen and raise their awareness about maritime safety and security.

- To assess actual conditions of cultural institutions and develop solutions to maintain them for coastal residents, covering their organizational apparatus, staff, operation regulation, physical foundations, and funding sources for operation.

- To restore, upgrade or build typical marine cultural centers in coastal provinces and centrally run cities, firstly in Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Khanh Hoa, and Kien Giang.

- To develop and include in education curricula documents on seas, oceans, skills of survival, adaptation to climate change and sea level rise, and prevention and control of natural disasters for pupils and students; to provide education for raising awareness about seas and oceans among the communities in coastal provinces and centrally run cities.

- To review and evaluate the establishment of coast protection corridors in coastal provinces and centrally run cities.

4. Regarding marine science and technology and development of human resources

- To develop a national-level sea- and island-related scientific and technological program toward promoting innovation and application of advanced scientific and technological achievements; to step up the research and establishment of scientific foundations for the making and improvement of policies and laws on sustainable development of marine economy; to carry out research in association with baseline survey of marine resources and environment related to radiation and atomic energy.

- To effectively implement the program on development of basic sciences in the field of marine science through 2025 promulgated together with the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 562/QD-TTg of April 25, 2017.

- To perform research tasks in response to the coastal localities’ demands for marine economic development; to carry out research into marine science and technology in association with enterprises.

- To focus on training and development of human resources, especially high-quality ones, for sea-based activities.

5. Regarding environment, and response to natural disasters, climate change and sea level rise

- To prioritize the formulation and implementation of the key program on baseline survey of marine and island resources and environment through 2030.

- To upgrade the national sea database; to integrate and digitalize natural resources and environment databases of ministries, sectors and localities into the national sea database; to upgrade technological infrastructure enabling the input, update, exploitation and sharing of data for sea and island information systems and databases of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and of the provinces and cities of Quang Ninh, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, and Hai Phong.

- To invest in strengthening complete infrastructure facilities and equipment for the systems for collection and treatment of hazardous wastes, wastewater and household solid wastes up to environmental regulations in coastal localities; to build a closed model of collection, classification, treatment and reuse of wastewater, household solid wastes and hazardous wastes on islands of the provinces and cities of Quang Ninh, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Binh Thuan, Kien Giang, Ca Mau, and Hai Phong.

- To organize the implementation of master plans on coastal economic zones, industrial parks, industrial complexes and urban areas toward sustainable and ecosystem-based development and smart adaptation to climate change and sea level rise, with centralized wastewater treatment systems complying with environmental standards or technical regulations in coastal provinces and centrally run cities in the Central and South Central regions.

- To develop and implement the national plan of action on management of ocean plastic debris through 2030.

- To further complete the establishment of marine protected areas approved under the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 742/QD-TTg; to establish management units and build infrastructure facilities for 16 marine protected areas belonging to Vietnam’s system of marine protected areas to ensure their efficient operation; to develop and implement mechanisms and policies for job change and creation of sustainable livelihoods for people living inside and around marine protected areas.

- To expand the scope of survey and collection of data on biodiversity, and natural and socio-economic conditions of sea and coastal areas and areas surrounding islands; to collect sufficient data on potential areas as a basis for proposing the establishment of new marine protected areas.

- To carry out additional surveys as a basis for proposing the expansion of functional sub-zones of the established marine protected areas.

- To call for financial and technical assistance from other countries and international organizations for building capacity in marine biodiversity conservation in national and international maritime zones; to study and propose mechanisms and policies on cooperation with regional countries and international organizations in building international marine protected areas.

- To further strengthen management units for and invest in infrastructure facilities of 16 marine protected areas approved under the master plan on Vietnam’s system of marine protected areas; to develop and implement mechanisms and policies on job change and livelihood creation for communities in the marine protected areas of Cat Ba, Ly Son, Cu Lao Cham, Hon Mun, and Phu Quoc.

- To implement programs, schemes and projects on restoration and development of coral ecosystems, sea grasses, lagoons, tidal banks, estuaries, mangrove forests, and coastal protection forests nationwide, giving priority to rapidly deteriorating areas.

- To carry out projects to assess the sustainability of natural systems and eco-cultural systems for sustainable development of marine economy.

- To build smart urban centers adaptable to climate change and sea level rise in the cities of Ha Long, Hai Phong Hoi An cities, and Bac Lieu and on Phu Quoc island.

- To invest in and upgrade natural disaster, earthquake and tsunami forecasting and warning systems in Hai Phong and Hoi An; to prevent and control seawater intrusion, coastal landslide and erosion and floods; to improve financial policies and disaster risk insurance policies for Mekong River delta provinces.

- To study, build and strengthen forces and automatic equipment systems for monitoring, surveillance, forecast and warning of marine environment quality, and effectively respond to marine environment pollution and incidents in combination with assurance of national defense and security and social order and safety.

6. Regarding assurance of national defense and security, foreign relations and international cooperation

- To firmly grasp the global, regional and domestic situations and the East Sea situation related to implementation of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW; to promptly provide advice for, and effectively implement Vietnam’s tasks and solutions on assurance of national defense and security and social order and safety and sustainable development of marine economy.

- To ensure economic security, internal political security, cultural and ideological security, cyber security, and environmental security for the proper, full and effective implementation of the Party’s and the State’s policies and solutions set out in Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW, as well as master plans and plans on sustainable development of marine economy.

- To settle complicated and prolonged disputes and complaints, especially those related to land, environmental pollution, ethnicity and religion, preventing the formation of “hot spots” of security, order and safety in sea and coastal areas.

- To increase the effect and efficiency of state management of security and order in coastal areas, on islands, and in areas with marine economic activities, especially in the management of residence, immigration, foreigners, and security- and order-related conditional business investment activities.

- To improve organizational apparatuses of forces responsible for assurance of national defense and security and enforcement of law at sea. To further develop national defense and security industries serving the protection of sovereignty, assurance of security and order, and sustainable development of marine economy of Vietnam. To raise the capacity to produce dual-use defense and security industry products meeting the requirements of protection of security and order at sea and on islands.

- To actively and proactively participate in, and propose and realize cooperation initiatives at, international and regional forums, especially marine cooperation activities within the framework of ASEAN and the Pacific region.

- To coordinate with other countries in fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea and step up the early conclusion of a substantial and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea in accordance with international law, including the UNCLOS.

- To strictly implement international and regional treaties and agreements on seas and oceans to which Vietnam has acceded; to consider and boost the accession to treaties in the fields of management of natural resources, environmental protection and research in marine sciences; to promote the formation of the framework of regional and international cooperation on prevention, control and mitigation of ocean plastic debris. To build and operate the international center for ocean plastic debris in Vietnam.

- To further promote international cooperation and take advantage of the assistance of partners and international organizations for development of human resources working and infrastructure facilities constructed at sea, application of modern sciences and technologies to marine economic sectors, environmental protection, prevention and control of natural disasters, and adaptation to climate change and sea level rise.

- To maintain and promote mechanisms on negotiation and dialogue for settlement of disputes at sea with related countries with a view to increasing dialogue and peace, settling disputes at sea, and facilitating the expansion of marine cooperation.

- To increase cooperation with and actively and effectively participate in international and regional specialized marine organizations with a view to raising professional and scientific-technical capacity and concurrently protecting Vietnam’s lawful rights and interests at sea.

C. ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

I. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MINISTRIES, SECTORS AND LOCALITIES

1. The National Steering Committee for Implementation of the Strategy on Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Marine Economy through 2030, with a Vision to 2045 (below referred to as the National Steering Committee), shall comprehensively direct the organization of implementation of this Resolution; and periodically review the implementation of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW for reporting to the Government.

2. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall, as the standing body, assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies in, assisting the National Steering Committee in monitoring, urging and summarizing, and periodically reviewing and evaluating the implementation of this Resolution; and twice every 5 years organize a forum on sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy in order to inspect and urge the implementation of the solutions adopted at the previous forum as well as discuss and propose strategic orientations and new solutions, setting out specific targets to be achieved and time limits for completion as required by the National Steering Committee, the Prime Minister and the Government.

3. Ministries and sectors shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and related ministries, sectors and localities in, reviewing and evaluating, and proposing revision or formulation of, regulations on seas and islands for the full and comprehensive implementation of the contents stated in Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW.

4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall properly perform the tasks concerning national borders and territories at sea; assume the prime responsibility for and coordinate the tasks concerning foreign-service information, treaties and international agreements, and strategic forecasts about international issues related to Vietnam’s policies on development of its sea areas; step up the effective participation of Vietnam in international forums on sustainable development of marine economy. To continue to implement schemes and enter into negotiation with neighboring countries for settling ocean issues, formulate schemes on protection of sovereignty and interests of Vietnam, and accede to treaties on seas.

5. The Ministry of National Defense shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in, properly performing the task of ensuring national defense and security at sea and on islands; build the Vietnam People’s Army to be revolutionary, regular, well-trained and gradually modernized with some forces to be immediately modernized; increasingly strengthen the all-people national defense posture at sea and on islands; properly deal with any circumstances and firmly maintain independence, sovereignty, sovereign rights, jurisdiction and national interests at sea; and persist with building and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment and legal order to facilitate sustainable development of marine economy.

6. The Ministry of Public Security shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense and related agencies in, fighting to frustrate all plots and activities of abusing sea and island-related issues to commit acts of sabotage; properly prevent and combat crimes and violations of the law on national security, social order and safety, and assurance of political security, national security, social order and safety, and security and safety for residents, workers and economic activities in coastal areas and on islands.

7. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and related agencies in, identifying tasks to be funded by the state budget and tasks to be financed by other funding sources at home and abroad; prioritize and timely allocate resources for accelerating the implementation and increasing the efficiency of the tasks and solutions set out in this Resolution; study and develop mechanisms and policies for mobilizing, managing and effectively using resources for performance of the tasks on sustainable development of marine economy.

8. The Ministry of Finance shall propose to competent authorities the inclusion of the central budget’s sources used as regular expenditures for performance of the contents and tasks specified in this Resolution to be allocated to ministries and central agencies in their annual budget estimates in accordance with the Law on the State Budget.

9. The Ministry of Home Affairs shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in, strengthening the organizational apparatuses of agencies at central level and in coastal localities which are in charge of integrated and unified management of seas and islands in accordance with this Resolution.

10. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and related ministries, sectors and localities in, formulating the national-level scientific and technological program on seas and islands; a scheme on scientific research and technological development setting orientations for baseline survey of marine and island resources and environment in the context of emerging challenges to marine environment security, and carrying out other scientific and technological activities, ensuring that science and technology truly constitute a breakthrough in the implementation of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW.

11. The Ministry of Education and Training and Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall proactively coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in implementing schemes, projects and tasks on training and development of human resources, especially high-quality ones, for marine economy while regarding science and technology as a breakthrough in the implementation of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW.

12. The Ministry of Information and Communications shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Communications and Education, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and related ministries, sectors and localities in, formulating schemes, projects and tasks on communications for increasing awareness and knowledge of people, overseas Vietnamese and international community about the Party’s and the State’s policies on seas and islands, protection of legitimate rights and interests of Vietnam in the East Sea, and its potential, advantages and sustainable development of marine economy.

13. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall organize the implementation of the Government’s Resolution No. 103/NQ-CP of October 6, 2017, on the Government’s program of action to implement Resolution No. 08-NQ/TW of January 16, 2017, of the Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee, the XII^thCongress, on development of tourism into a spearhead industry; and expeditiously develop mechanisms and policies for boosting eco-tourism routes to some offshore islands.

14. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall organize the implementation of the 2017 Law on Fisheries; assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in, submitting to the Prime Minister for approval, and organize the implementation of, the Strategy on development of the fisheries sector in conformity with the Strategy on sustainable development of Vietnam’s marine economy through 2030, with a vision toward 2045, as well as specialized master plans in order to develop fisheries and direct the construction of major fisheries centers; prevent and control maritime disasters; formulate policies on aquaculture, fishing, and marine conservation; and conserve, restore and ensure sustainable development of marine, coastal and island ecosystems as contributions to development of marine and coastal economy.

15. The Ministry of Construction shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies in, submitting to the Government or Prime Minister strategies, master plans and plans on development of coastal urban centers and coastal eco-urban areas together with the establishment of strong marine economic centers; and build and develop technical infrastructure facilities for coastal and island urban centers.

16. The Ministry of Transport shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies in, formulating and issuing, or submitting to competent authorities for issuance, and directing the implementation of, policies and documents on development of roads, railways, navigation channels, inland waterways, and airways serving the development of marine economy; propose to the National Steering Committee the application of public-private partnership to the development of marine economy.

17. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related agencies in, formulating and issuing, or submitting to competent authorities for issuance, and guiding and inspecting the implementation of, policies on development of new energy and renewable energy and energy conservation for development of marine economy; and develop selected environment-friendly coastal industries.

18. In addition to the tasks mentioned above, ministries, sectors and provincial-level People’s Committees have the following tasks:

- Based on the tasks assigned in this Resolution and their functions and tasks, to prepare their own implementation plans and announce them in the first quarter of 2020; to organize the synchronous and resolute implementation of solutions to create substantial changes for sustainable development of marine economy; to periodically review and before December every year send reports on the implementation of this Resolution to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for summarization and reporting to the National Steering Committee, the Prime Minister and the Government.

- Ministries and central agencies shall incorporate development investment funds and funds for regular expenditures for the performance of the activities and tasks assigned in this Resolution in their annual budget estimates in accordance with the Law on the State Budget.

- Provincial-level People’s Committees shall report to their People’s Councils for approval the allocation of local budget funds for performance of the assigned activities and tasks according to current regulations on decentralization of powers for budget management.

- To review, adjust, supplement or formulate master plans, plans, schemes, projects and tasks related to seas and islands within their assigned scope of state management, ensuring compliance with Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW and Resolution, and fulfill these tasks before June 2020 as a basis for the Ministry of Planning and Investment to develop the Strategy and Overall Plan on socio-economic development through 2030, with a vision to 2050.

- To coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and Ministry of Planning and Investment in developing the master plan on national marine space, the overall plan on exploitation and sustainable use of resources in coastal zones, and the Strategy and Overall Plan on socio-economic development through 2030, with a vision to 2045, by integrated and multidisciplinary approach.

- To continue to implement the Government’s and Prime Minister’s legal documents, directives, resolutions and decisions regulating sea areas, coastal areas and islands, which are still valid; and concurrently organize the implementation of the schemes, projects and tasks provided in the Appendix to this Resolution.

II.People’s Councils, Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees and mass organizations at all levels shall step up their oversight and communications activities in the course of organizing the implementation of this Resolution.-

On behalf of the Government
Prime Minister
NGUYEN XUAN PHUC

* The Appendix to this Resolution is not translated.