Decision No. 236/1999/QD-TTg On the organization and management of international conferences and seminars in Vietnam

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the organization and management of international conferences and seminars in Vietnam

______________________

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

To improve the organization and management of international conferences and seminars in Vietnam;

At the proposal of the Minister, Head of the Organization and Cadre Department of the Government,

DECISION:

Article 1. International conferences and seminars within the scope of this Decision include conferences, seminars, and roundtables with participation or sponsorship from foreign organizations or individuals, held in Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as international conferences and seminars).

Article 2. This Decision regulates international conferences and seminars organized and implemented by Ministries, agencies at the level of ministries, and agencies under the Government (hereinafter referred to as central agencies) and provincial people's committees directly under the Central Government (hereinafter referred to as localities).

The organization of international conferences and seminars by central agencies of mass organizations (including mass organizations, political-social organizations, social-professional organizations, and some other organizations) shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Standing Committee of the Politburo.

Article 3. Authority to permit the organization of international conferences and seminars

1. The Prime Minister permits the organization of the following international conferences and seminars:

a) High-level international conferences and seminars with participants being heads of state or government representatives of countries or international organizations;

b) International conferences and seminars on contents related to major policies and strategies of the Party and State;

c) International conferences and seminars on complex ethnic, religious, and social issues;

d) International conferences and seminars on contents related to state secrets;

e) Interdisciplinary international conferences and seminars covering multiple fields.

2. Heads of central agencies decide on the organization of international conferences and seminars by their agencies and permit subordinate units to organize international conferences and seminars on professional, technical, scientific, and technological contents within the scope of their administrative management.

3. Chairpersons of provincial and municipal people's committees directly under the Central Government decide on the organization of international conferences and seminars by their localities.

For international conferences and seminars related to the administrative management scope of any central agency, prior written consent must be obtained from those agencies before making a decision to organize. Central agencies consulted must respond in writing within fifteen days from receipt of the request; failure to respond within that period will be deemed as agreement.

4. For international conferences and seminars within the authority of the Prime Minister, organizing agencies must obtain written opinions from relevant agencies (if the content is related) before submitting to the Prime Minister. Agencies consulted must respond in writing within the time limit as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 3 of this Decision.

5. Central agencies and localities shall not organize and permit subordinate units to organize international conferences and seminars on contents outside the scope of their administrative management.

6. The Government Organizational and Cadre Affairs Board is the lead agency of the Government responsible for coordinating with relevant agencies to monitor, compile, and report periodically on the activities of international conferences and seminars to the Prime Minister.

Article 4. Management content of international conferences and seminars

Central agencies and localities are responsible for direct and comprehensive management of international conferences and seminars according to the following contents:

1. Permitting the organization of international conferences and seminars in writing based on reviewing plans, contents, scale, number, and composition of delegates (domestic and foreign), time, location, and sources of funding.

2. Managing information dissemination content, organizational work, speech contents, and other publications to be distributed during international conferences and seminars.

3. Identifying and promptly taking measures to handle violations of laws and contraventions of this Decision's provisions by individuals and organizations during the organization of international conferences and seminars.

4. Reporting periodically (every six months, annually) on the developments and outcomes of international conferences and seminars to the Government Organizational and Cadre Affairs Board for compilation and reporting to the Prime Minister.

Article 5. Responsibilities of the organizing agency of international conferences and seminars:

1. Must apply in writing to the competent authority specified in Article 2 of this Decision.

The application content must clearly state:

a) The purpose of the international conference or seminar;

b) Plan and content of the international conference or seminar;

c) Time and location of organization, tour and survey locations (if any);

d) Composition of organizers: Vietnamese agencies, foreign agencies, sponsoring agencies (if any);

e) Composition of participants: number and structure of delegates including both domestic and foreign delegates;

f) Funding source;

g) Opinions of relevant agencies (if any).

2. For international conferences and seminars organized using state budget funds, the organizing agency must prepare a financial budget estimate for inclusion in its annual budget plan according to financial management regulations.

3. Responsible for the content of documents, reports, presentations, materials, and data at international conferences and seminars (if any); content of publications distributed during the organization of international conferences and seminars.

4. Implement regulations on confidentiality protection and information dissemination.

5. Implement regulations on expenditure and financial settlement.

6. In case of complicated developments during international conferences and seminars, they must immediately report to the competent authority for timely guidance and handling.

7. Within one month after completion, they must submit a report on the results of the international conference or seminar to the competent authority and the Government Organizational and Cadre Affairs Board.

Article 6. Organizations and individuals violating the provisions of this Decision shall be subject to legal sanctions depending on the severity of the violation.

Article 7. This Decision replaces Directive No. 231/CT dated June 24, 1992, of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers and takes effect fifteen days after the date of signature. The Minister, Heads of agencies at the level of ministries, agencies under the Government, and Chairpersons of provincial and municipal people's committees directly under the Central Government are responsible for implementing this Decision.