Decision No. 1810/QD-QHQT Issuing the Regulation on the Organization and Operation of the ASEAN Official Environment Network of Vietnam (ASOEN-Vietnam)

Pursuant to …;

Issuing regulations on the organization and

operation of Vietnamese ASEAN officials organizations on environment

MINISTER OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

Pursuant to Decree No. 22/CP dated May 22, 1993 of the Government on tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment;

Pursuant to Directive No. 637/TTg dated October 6, 1995 of the Prime Minister on implementing activities of Vietnam in ASEAN;

Pursuant to Circular No. 6358/VPUB dated November 6, 1995 of the Government assigning the lead agency for participation in ASEAN activities;

Considering the proposals of the Heads of the International Relations Department and the Environmental Protection Department,

Pursuant to …;

Article 1. This Decision promulgates the Regulations on the organization and operation of the Vietnamese ASEAN Officials Organization on Environment (referred to as ASOEN - Vietnam) attached hereto.

Article 2. This Decision takes effect from the date of signature. Previous provisions contrary to this Decision are abolished.

Article 3. The Chairman, representatives of working groups under ASOEN - Vietnam, the Heads of the Office, the International Relations Department, the Environmental Protection Department, and the Cadres and Civil Servants Department of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment shall be responsible for implementing this Decision.

REGULATIONS

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS OF THE VIETNAMESE ASEAN OFFICIALS ORGANIZATION ON ENVIRONMENT (ASOEN - VIETNAM)
(Issued pursuant to Decision No. 1810/QD-QHQT dated August 17, 1996 of the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment)

The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment (abbreviated as the Ministry of KHCN & MT) is the lead agency for Vietnam's activities with ASEAN in the environmental field according to the assignment by the Government in Circular No. 6358/VPUB dated November 6, 1995.

The Vietnamese ASEAN Officials Organization on Environment (abbreviated as ASOEN - Vietnam) was established pursuant to Decision No. 506/QD-QHQT dated February 5, 1996 of the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment - serving as the lead agency assisting the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment in directing and coordinating Vietnam's cooperative activities in the environmental field within the ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment (abbreviated as ASOEN).

FUNCTIONS, TASKS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Article 1. The function of ASOEN - Vietnam is to direct and coordinate with relevant agencies in organizing and implementing cooperative activities in the environmental field with ASEAN; to strengthen cooperation relations on the environment between Vietnam and ASEAN and dialogue partners.

Article 2. The tasks of ASOEN - Vietnam are:

- To compile recommendations from ministries and government agencies (referred to as Government Agencies) to propose to the National Committee of Vietnam for ASEAN (referred to as ASEAN Vietnam) regarding Vietnam's activities in ASOEN.

- To organize and coordinate the implementation of obligations and participation in activities and meetings of Vietnam in ASOEN.

- To compile the situation of ASOEN and ASOEN - Vietnam's operations to report to ASEAN Vietnam and other competent agencies.

- To perform other tasks as decided by ASEAN Vietnam and the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment.

Article 3. The Chairman of ASOEN - Vietnam is a Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment, appointed by the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment, working on a part-time basis, with the responsibility to assist the Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment in managing ASOEN - Vietnam's activities, serving as Vietnam's Representative in ASOEN holding the position of ASOEN Chair when it is Vietnam's turn to chair - with a term of three years.

Article 4. Members of ASOEN - Vietnam are representatives of Vietnam in ASOEN Working Groups (referred to as Group Representatives) established and appointed pursuant to Decision No. 506/QĐ-QHQT dated February 5, 1996 of the Minister of Science and Technology and Environment, including:

- Nature Conservation Group,

- ASEAN Regional Seas and Marine Environment Group,

- Transboundary Pollution Group,

- Environmental Management Group,

- Information, Awareness and Environmental Education Group,

- Environmental Economics Group.

Members of ASOEN - Vietnam work on a part-time basis, individually responsible for tasks assigned by the Chairman of ASOEN Vietnam - responsible for:

- Serving as the focal point, leading, coordinating with relevant agencies to participate in organizing, planning budgets, implementing programs, projects, and activities related to ASOEN's environment, organizing meetings in Vietnam related to their assigned fields;

- Fully participating in ASOEN - Vietnam meetings and ASOEN Working Groups' meetings;

- Taking on the role of Chairperson of the relevant ASOEN Working Group when Vietnam assumes the Chairmanship for a three-year term;

- Reporting implementation results to ASOEN - Vietnam and ASOEN Working Groups.

Article 5. Members of the Working Groups include Group Representatives of Vietnam in ASOEN Working Groups and representatives of participating agencies.

Representatives of participating agencies are responsible for coordinating with Group Representatives of Vietnam in ASOEN Working Groups and the Permanent Office of ASOEN - Vietnam to build, implement programs, projects, and activities in their assigned fields and report results to relevant Group Representatives of Vietnam.

Article 6. The Department of Environment under the Ministry of Science and Technology and Environment is the Permanent Office of ASOEN - Vietnam (with a specialized division for ASOEN) - assisting the Chairman of ASOEN - Vietnam in performing his duties in relation to ASOEN, with Group Representatives of ASOEN Working Groups and participating agencies. The Chairman of ASOEN - Vietnam designates a leader from the Department of Environment to assist in managing ASOEN - Vietnam's operations.

The International Relations Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology and Environment is the focal agency in relations with the National Committee of ASEAN and the ASEAN Secretariat of Vietnam regarding ASOEN - Vietnam activities.

OPERATING MECHANISM

Article 7. ASOEN - Vietnam convenes regular meetings every six months, the Chairman of ASOEN - Vietnam may convene extraordinary meetings of ASOEN - Vietnam.

ASOEN - Vietnam Working Groups convene regular meetings every three months, Group Representatives may convene extraordinary meetings of their Groups.

Article 8. The annual activity plan of ASOEN - Vietnam is developed by the Working Groups following the guidance of the Permanent Office of ASOEN - Vietnam.

This plan serves as the basis for the International Relations Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology and Environment to report to ASEAN Vietnam for consideration. Cases not included in the plan must be reported to the Chairman of ASOEN - Vietnam for decision.

After being approved by ASEAN Vietnam, the Chairman of ASOEN - Vietnam notifies the approved plan to Group Representatives and participating agencies for implementation.

Article 9. Funding allocation and provision of material conditions for the activities of ASOEN - Vietnam, Working Groups, and participating agencies are carried out according to ASEAN Vietnam's regulations and guidelines.