Resolution No. 19/2011/QH13 on the results of supervision and acceleration of implementation of environmental policies and laws in economic zones and craft villages.

RESOLUTION

On the results of supervision and the promotion of implementation of policies and laws on the environment in economic zones and craft villages Pursuant to the Law on the Activities of Supervision of the National Assembly No. 05/2003/QH11; Pursuant to Resolution No. 54/2010/QH12 on the Program of Supervision Activities of the National Assembly in 2011;

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OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM

BASED ON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM IN 1992 AS AMENDED AND COMPLEMENTED BY RESOLUTION NO. 51/2001/QH10;

Based on the Report on the Results of Supervision No. 39/BC-UBTVQH13 dated October 20, 2011 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Report No. 170/BC-CP dated September 22, 2011 of the Government on the implementation of policies and laws on the environment in economic zones and craft villages, and the opinions of the National Assembly deputies;

The National Assembly agrees with the contents of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly's report on the supervision of the implementation of policies and laws on the environment in economic zones and craft villages, including assessments of achievements, limitations and weaknesses, causes of these limitations and weaknesses, and recommendations to promote the implementation of policies and laws on the environment in economic zones and craft villages; at the same time, emphasizes the following issues:

1. The formation and construction of coastal economic zones in conjunction with environmental protection in localities is a correct policy of the Party and State in the process of socio-economic development and international economic integration. Currently, most new economic zones have just begun operations, many projects in several economic zones are still in the planning stage or land leveling or under construction, so the quality of the environment has not yet reached alarming levels. In the future, if environmental protection is not given due attention when economic zones are completed and put into operation, the risk of environmental pollution will be very high, and dealing with such pollution will be costly and difficult;

RESOLUTION:

Article 1. 2. Craft villages in our country have existed for a long time, some having a history of hundreds or even thousands of years. At present, there are over 1,300 recognized craft villages and 3,200 villages with crafts nationwide. Production activities in craft villages have made significant contributions to stabilizing people's lives and socio-economic development, providing employment for more than 11 million workers across the country. Most craft villages lack reasonable planning, have small production scales, are scattered, interwoven with residential areas, use outdated and unstable technology, making environmental pollution difficult to control, treat, and mitigate, with some places becoming increasingly severe, adversely affecting the health of residents, especially direct workers;

3. The system of regulatory legal documents on environmental protection for economic zones and craft villages has been gradually established but is often issued late, incomplete, and not synchronized, with overlapping provisions that are difficult to implement. Many national technical standards and regulations on the environment have been issued but are slow to be applied, with low feasibility, particularly for craft villages;

4. The state management machinery for environmental protection from central to local levels has been gradually improved. However, coordination among state management agencies in environmental protection work in economic zones is not tight enough; the division of responsibilities for state management of craft villages in many localities remains overlapping and inappropriate;

5. Environmental protection inspection, supervision, and violation handling have made progress, but are not regular enough; punishment for violations of environmental protection laws is not strict, with most cases not applying remedial measures. Information dissemination, education, and socialization regarding environmental protection policies and laws have received attention, but their content does not match reality, resulting in low effectiveness;

To promote the implementation of environmental protection policies and laws in economic zones and craft villages, the National Assembly assigns the Government to undertake the following tasks and solutions:

1. General Tasks and Solutions:

Article 2.

a) Review, amend, supplement, or issue new guiding documents for the implementation of environmental protection laws for economic zones and craft villages; complete guidelines for assessing and compensating for damage caused by environmental pollution. Submit the amended Environmental Protection Law to the National Assembly for approval according to the plan set out in the Resolution on the Legislative Construction Program of the National Assembly during the XIIIth tenure, including specific amendments and supplements concerning environmental protection in economic zones and craft villages;

b) Issue mechanisms and policies to promote and encourage scientific research and the application of advanced technology; strictly manage the transfer of technology, import of machinery and equipment for production in economic zones and craft villages; produce environmentally friendly products;

c) Organize the dissemination, education, and enhancement of awareness and compliance with environmental protection laws among organizations, individuals, households, businesses, production and service establishments in economic zones and craft villages effectively and regularly. Train human resources and improve the management and technical expertise of environmental protection staff in economic zones and craft villages;

d) Effectively implement socialized environmental protection; establish mechanisms and policies to encourage organizations, individuals, households, businesses, production and service establishments to invest in environmental protection activities in economic zones and craft villages;

đ) Strengthen environmental protection inspections, supervision, and punishment of violations of environmental protection laws, the implementation of environmental impact assessments, environmental protection commitments, and post-assessment environmental impact monitoring of production, business, and service establishments in economic zones and craft villages; closely monitor the allocation, management, and use of state budget funds for environmental affairs and investment in environmental protection;

2. For coastal economic zones:

d) Strengthen inspection, supervision, and handling of violations of environmental protection laws, the implementation of environmental impact assessments, environmental protection commitments, and post-environmental impact assessment review work of production, business, and service establishments in coastal economic zones and craft villages; strictly control the allocation, management, and use of state budget funds for environmental causes and investment in environmental protection activities.

2. For coastal economic zones:

a) Develop, improve the strategy and overall planning for coastal economic zone development that aligns with the national socio-economic development strategy, region, and area, while ensuring environmental protection, national defense, and security, and adapting to actual conditions regarding investment capacity, management capability, infrastructure at both national and local levels;

b) Promptly review, adjust, and supplement regulations on the management functions of the Coastal Economic Zone Management Board in accordance with the分级管理国家权力和经济区的特点；建立相关机构在环境管理中的协调机制；明确关于在沿海经济区内进行环境监督、检查和行政违法处理的具体权限；

c) Strictly enforce legal provisions on environmental protection in economic zones, particularly focusing on constructing and operating centralized wastewater and solid waste treatment systems;

3. For craft villages:

a) Develop a strategy for craft village development linked to environmental protection requirements and new rural construction programs. Scientifically define concepts of craft villages and traditional craft villages in line with practical needs and demands for environmental protection during the period of accelerating industrialization and modernization. Supplement criteria for environmental protection in recognition standards for craft villages. Reform management of craft villages to ensure effectiveness; strengthen intellectual property protection and brand building for craft villages and their products;

b) Promptly scientifically plan craft villages based on traditional craft village factors, environmental pollution levels, cultural heritage preservation requirements, and value promotion. Issue specific policies supporting production technology, human resource training, production space, product market consumption, and craft village development investment. The State will invest part of the funds to upgrade infrastructure in recognized craft villages, especially traditional ones. Promote effective socialized models for protecting craft village environments; establish village covenants and conventions tied to commitments for environmental protection in craft villages;

c) Severely handle violations of environmental protection laws in craft villages causing serious pollution. By 2015, achieve a rate of 85% in addressing pollution from production facilities, waste recycling sites, or disguised craft village processing and manufacturing units producing seriously polluting products;

d) Organize the implementation of the National Target Program on Pollution Mitigation and Environmental Improvement, with a focus on handling pollution in craft villages;

Article 3.

The Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the National Ethnic Council, the Committees of the National Assembly, Delegations of National Assembly Members, National Assembly Deputies, and People's Councils at all levels shall supervise the implementation of this Resolution within their respective functions, tasks, and authorities;

This Resolution was adopted by the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the 13th term, second session, on November 26, 2011./.