Decision No. 357/QD-BNV Approves the Charter (Amended) of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association

Pursuant to …;

Approving the Charter (Amended) of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association

_______________________________

THE MINISTER OF THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

Pursuant to Decree No. 102/SL-L004 dated May 20, 1957 promulgating the Law on the Right to Establish Associations;

Pursuant to Decree No. 48/2008/ND-CP dated April 17, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs;

Pursuant to Decree No. 88/2003/ND-CP dated July 30, 2003 of the Government stipulating the organization, operation, and management of associations;

Considering the proposal of the Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association and the Director of the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the Charter (Amended) of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association (term 2009-2014), which was adopted on November 8, 2009 in Hanoi at the Third National Congress.

Article 2. This Decision takes effect from the date of signature.

Article 3. The Chairman of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association, the Director of the Department of Non-Governmental Organizations, and the Head of the Office of the Ministry of Home Affairs shall be responsible for implementing this Decision.

CHARTER (AMENDED)

VIETNAM URBAN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
(Approved by Decision No. 357/QD-BNV dated April 15, 2010 of the Minister of Home Affairs)

PART I

NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 1. Name of the Association

1. Name of the Association: Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association.

2. Abbreviation in Vietnamese: Vietnam Urban Planning Association.

3. Name in English: Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association.

4. Abbreviation in English: VUPDA.

5. The headquarters of the Central Association is located in Hanoi, the capital city.

Article 2. Aims and Objectives of the Association

1. The Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association (hereinafter referred to as the Association) is a social-professional organization that voluntarily gathers individuals engaged in urban planning and development throughout the country.

2. The Association operates nationwide based on the principle of complying with legal regulations, striving to achieve the goal of building and sustainably developing urban areas in Vietnam according to the direction of industrialization and modernization, thereby contributing to the cause of national construction and defense.

3. The Association is a member of the Vietnam Association for Science and Technology.

4. The Association has legal personality, its own seal, bank account, headquarters, and media outlet.

5. The Association may participate in international organizations of the same profession in accordance with the law.

Article 3. Tasks of the Association

1. To gather and unite individuals engaged in urban planning and development throughout the country in various fields such as urban-rural planning and design, urban landscape architectural design, urban management, environmental protection; consulting, training, and scientific research on urban planning, investment, and development.

2. To protect the legitimate rights and interests of members in terms of spirit, material, and professional ethics.

3. To perform advisory, critical review, and social appraisal functions in urban planning and development work when requested; To carry out tasks assigned by the State.

4. To participate with state management agencies, scientific research organizations, educational institutions, and other social organizations in researching and drafting legal documents, conducting scientific research, consulting on investment, and training in the field of urban planning and development.

5. To disseminate knowledge, experience, and laws to contribute to raising public awareness about urban planning and development.

6. To protect the legitimate rights and guide the professional activities of member associations and units under the Association.

7. To organize international exchange and cooperation activities with foreign organizations and individuals in accordance with the law.

Chapter II

MEMBERS

Article 4. Members

The members of the Association include:

1. Citizens and organizations of Vietnam operating in the fields of planning and urban development, urban management, who agree with the Charter of the Association and voluntarily apply to join the Association may be admitted as members of the Association.

2. Citizens and organizations of Vietnam who agree with the Charter of the Association and have made contributions to the construction and development of the Association but do not meet the conditions to become formal members of the Association, if they wish, may be invited by the Association to become associated members or honorary members.

Article 5. Procedures for Admitting Members

1. Individuals wishing to become members of the Association must submit an application to join the Association.

2. The provincial-level association (hereinafter referred to as the provincial-level association) receives applications, reviews them, and submits them to the Provincial-level Association Executive Board for review and decision-making, and organizes the admission of new members.

3. For specialized branch associations such as scientific research, training, production and business under the Central Association (hereinafter referred to as grassroots branch associations), the grassroots branch associations receive applications, review them, and submit them to the Central Association Chairman's Board for decision-making. Grassroots branch associations organize the admission of their members after receiving decisions from the Central Association Chairman's Board.

Article 6. Rights of Members

1. Participate in activities organized by the Association.

2. Nominate and vote for positions in the Association's leadership bodies, except for associated members and honorary members.

3. Democratically discuss all aspects of the Association's work.

4. Be protected by the Association in matters of copyright, professional rights, and other benefits as stipulated by law.

5. Utilize the Association's material and spiritual support in professional activities.

6. Join other professional associations according to their respective Charters.

7. Request to leave the Association. When wishing to leave the Association, members submit a resignation letter to the Association Executive Board that admitted them to request removal from membership.

8. Members of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association are issued member cards by the Central Association and participate in activities organized by the Association.

Article 7. Obligations of Members

1. Adhere to the Charter of the Association, implement resolutions and work programs of the Association, and participate in its activities.

2. Strive to achieve high efficiency and quality in professional activities related to urban planning and development.

3. Continuously study to enhance political, ideological, and professional knowledge.

4. Participate in promotional activities to widely disseminate theoretical and practical knowledge in urban planning and development.

5. Maintain professional ethics and protect the honor and integrity of members.

6. Pay membership fees fully.

Chapter III

ORGANIZATION OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 8. Organization and Activities of the Association

1. The organization and activities of the Association operate on the principles of voluntarism, self-management, and self-financing.

2. The organizational structure of the Association includes:

a) At the central level: The Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association;

b) At the provincial level (hereinafter collectively referred to as provinces): The Urban Planning and Development Association of the province. If the Urban Planning and Development Association of the province agrees with the Charter of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association and applies to join it, it will be recognized as a member association.

c) At the grassroots level: Grassroots branch associations; organizations at the grassroots level with ten members or more can establish branch associations.

Article 9. National Congress of the Association

1. The highest leading body of the Vietnam Urban Planning and Development Association is the National Congress, with a term of five years. An extraordinary Congress may be convened when more than two-thirds (2/3) of the Central Committee members request it. The composition and number of delegates attending the Congress are determined by the incumbent Central Committee.

2. Tasks of the Congress:

a) Summarize and evaluate the activities of the Association during the previous term, discuss directions and action plans for the new term;

b) Approve and amend the Charter (if necessary);

c) Elect the Central Committee and the Central Inspection Board of the Association;

d) Decide on issues related to the development of the Association.

Article 10. Central Committee of the Association

1. The Central Committee of the Association is the leading body between two Congress terms. The number of Central Committee members is set and directly elected by the Congress.

2. The tasks of the Central Committee include:

a) Lead the implementation of the Congress Resolutions;

b) Lead the implementation of the Charter of the Association;

c) Develop relations with organizations both domestically and internationally to contribute to the development of the Association;

d) Monitor the activities of provincial associations that are members of the Association and specialized sub-committees;

đ) Elect the Executive Board consisting of the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, Secretary General, and members;

e) Supplementarily elect Central Committee members between Congress terms if necessary, but the number of newly elected members shall not exceed one-third of the incumbent Central Committee members elected by the Congress;

g) The Central Committee convenes regularly once a year (except in emergencies).

Article 11. Executive Board of the Central Committee

1. The Executive Board is the permanent body of the Central Committee.

2. The Executive Board is elected by the Central Committee.

3. The Executive Board consists of the Chairman, Vice Chairmen, Secretary General, and members.

4. The tasks of the Executive Board include:

a) Represent the Central Committee to direct all aspects of the Association's work. Lead the implementation of decisions of the Central Committee between meetings;

b) Directly manage organizations under the Association, including grassroots branches;

c) Approve projects and cooperation documents with domestic and foreign organizations and individuals in accordance with the law;

d) Decide on the establishment of specialized boards;

đ) Examine and decide on rewards and disciplinary actions.

5. The Executive Board convenes regularly every three months, and extraordinary meetings can be convened at the Chairman's discretion.

Article 12. Chairman of the Association

The Chairman of the Association is elected by the Central Committee, presides over meetings of the Central Committee and the Executive Board, oversees the implementation of Central Committee and Executive Board resolutions, nominates members of the Executive Board and the Chairman, and is responsible for all Association activities under the law.

Article 13. Honorary Chairman of the Association

The Honorary Chairman of the Association is an individual who has made significant contributions to the Association's activities and development, invited by the Central Committee and approved by the Congress for each term.

Article 14. Vice Chairmen of the Association

The Vice Chairmen are elected by the Central Committee, assigned by the Chairman to lead specific areas of the Association's activities, and represent the Chairman in signing documents within their authority.

Article 15. General Secretary

The General Secretary is elected by the Central Committee of the Association, responsible for handling tasks assigned by the Chairman and managing all activities of the Central Office of the Association, signing documents within the authority delegated. When necessary, the General Secretary may propose to the Board of Chairmen to establish specialized sub-committees and organizations serving the development of the Association according to legal provisions.

Article 16. Supervisory Board

1. The Supervisory Board is elected by the National Congress of Delegates.

2. The duties of the Supervisory Board include:

a) Checking the implementation of Resolutions of the Congress, Statutes, regulations, and annual work programs of the Association;

b) Monitoring members' activities to commend and reward them, while identifying signs of violations of laws to promptly correct them;

c) Auditing the economic and financial activities of the Association and its affiliated organizations; examining and resolving complaints and petitions.

Article 17. Provincial Urban Planning Development Associations and grassroots branches under the Central Association

1. The establishment of provincial Urban Planning Development Associations is decided by the Chairman of the People's Committee at the provincial level in accordance with legal provisions. The establishment of grassroots branches under the Central Association is decided by the Central Association's Board of Chairmen.

2. Provincial Urban Planning Development Associations have their own statutes in compliance with legal provisions and the Statutes of the Vietnam Urban Planning Development Association. Grassroots branches under the Central Association operate according to their own rules, respecting the law and the Statutes of the Vietnam Urban Planning Development Association.

Chapter IV

FINANCE AND ASSETS

Article 18. Financial Resources of the Association

1. The financial resources of the Association are managed and utilized in accordance with the regulations of the Central Committee of the Association, consistent with the state's financial management system.

2. Sources of financial resources of the Association include:

a) State budget subsidies;

b) Membership fees;

c) Revenue from advisory services, scientific research, creation, production, design, services, and training activities of the Association;

d) Funding from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals.

đ) Other legitimate financial sources.

Article 19. Assets of the Association

1. The assets of the Association consist of fixed assets and equipment serving the Association's activities, created from the Association's financial resources.

2. Upon dissolution of the Association, the Association's assets shall be disposed of in accordance with legal provisions.

Chapter V

REWARD AND DISCIPLINE

Article 20. Awards

1. Annually or periodically, the Central Committee of the Association reviews and rewards outstanding members, associations, and branches with significant achievements in professional activities, and for outstanding works and innovations in urban planning and development. Awards for urban planning and development design.

2. The reward fund is sourced from donations and the Association's finances.

Article 21. Disciplinary Measures

Disciplinary measures against members who violate the Statutes, Resolutions, and operational principles of the Association, and expulsion of members from the Association are decided by the Association level with the authority to admit members.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 22. Amendment of the Association's Statutes

The Statutes of the Association can be amended upon proposal by the Central Committee of the Association and must be approved by more than half of the delegates attending the National Congress of Delegates.

Article 23. Effectiveness of Implementation

1. This Statute consists of 6 Chapters and 23 Articles, adopted on November 8, 2009, in Hanoi, at the Third National Congress of Delegates of the Vietnam Urban Planning Development Association, and took effect pursuant to the Decision of the Minister of Home Affairs.

2. Members and affiliated organizations of the Association are responsible for implementing this Statute./.