Directive No. 43/1998/CT-TTg on Preventing, Handling, and Mitigating the Impact of the "Year 2000 Incident" in Fields Using Information Technology

DIRECTIVE

On Preventing, Handling, and Mitigating the Impact of the "Year 2000 Problem" in Fields Using Information Technology

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At the transition to the year 2000, in fields using information technology (IT), if timely measures are not taken, the so-called "Year 2000 Problem" will occur.

The "Year 2000 Problem" arises from computer systems and electronic control devices that process date data but have structures not accounting for the time change to the year 2000, which will operate incorrectly when transitioning to the year 2000. This may lead to errors in calculations and controls, thereby potentially causing significant unforeseeable losses in management, production, business, services, security, defense, and economic and social development activities.

This is a global issue that countries must face. Therefore, since the early 1990s, many governments have considered the development and implementation of action programs to prevent, mitigate, handle, and address the consequences of the "Year 2000 Problem" as a critical task to be completed before the end of 1999.

In Vietnam, although IT systems and electronic control devices processing date data are not as widely used as in many other countries, they have begun to be applied in many important national sectors. Therefore, the "Year 2000 Problem" could cause unpredictable losses. Thus, there must be serious awareness and necessary solutions to prevent, limit, handle, and promptly mitigate adverse impacts caused by the "Year 2000 Problem."

Based on the importance and urgency of the assigned tasks, the Prime Minister instructs ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, provinces, centrally governed cities, and units using IT systems and electronic control devices:

1. To take the initiative and closely coordinate with the Steering Committee for Mitigating the "Year 2000 Problem" in the following activities:

a) Organize investigations to determine the potential impact of the "Year 2000 Problem" on IT systems and electronic control devices processing date data within their own units.

b) Study and evaluate the possible impacts of the "Year 2000 Problem" on economic, social, security, defense, international relations, and other areas within their management scope.

c) Develop plans and implement preventive, handling, and mitigation measures for the "Year 2000 Problem" within their own units. It is necessary to complete the handling before the end of October 1999.

d) Regularly report to the Steering Committee for Mitigating the "Year 2000 Problem" on the situation, progress of handling activities, and recommendations for measures requiring overall coordination and requests exceeding the unit's capacity and authority.

2. The Steering Committee for Mitigating the "Year 2000 Problem" shall be responsible for coordinating related activities concerning the "Year 2000 Problem" among ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, localities, and units; report to the Prime Minister on the situation, potential impact, and possible losses of the "Year 2000 Problem" in Vietnam; direct the organization of research, dissemination, guidance, and implementation of preventive, handling, and mitigation measures for the "Year 2000 Problem." International assistance and cooperation should be sought in mitigating the "Year 2000 Problem."

Initially, the Steering Committee for Mitigating the "Year 2000 Problem" needs to guide units, agencies, and enterprises in equipping new types of machinery, IT equipment, and software products that come with solutions to avoid the impact of the "Year 2000 Problem."

3. The Head of the Steering Committee for Mitigating the "Year 2000 Problem," ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, chairpersons of provincial people's committees, centrally governed city people's committees, and relevant units are responsible for implementing this Directive.

This directive takes effect from the date of issuance.