Decision No. 68/2003/QĐ-TTg On the establishment of the National Coordination Board for the Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the establishment of the National Coordination Board for Implementing

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

______________

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development at Circular No. 689/BNN-HTQT dated March 28, 2003,

DECISION:

Article 1. Establish the National Coordination Board for the Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (hereinafter referred to as the Coordination Board), consisting of the following members:

1. Chairperson: The Deputy Minister in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

2. Vice-Chairpersons:

- Director of the Forestry Development Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Permanent Vice-Chairperson).

- 01 Leader of the Environmental Protection Agency, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. 

- One leader from the Water Management and Irrigation Works Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

3. Members: Officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Planning and Investment, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Science and Technology, Natural Resources and Environment, and the Government Office.

4. The Secretary of the Coordination Board shall be appointed by the Chairperson.

Article 2. The Coordination Board shall have the following tasks:

1. Assist the Prime Minister in directing relevant ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated agencies, provincial People's Committees under the Central Government, and municipal People's Committees under the Central Government in implementing the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

2. Coordinate, organize the implementation, and evaluate the execution of the National Action Program to Combat Desertification.

3. Inspect and evaluate programs and projects to combat land degradation, mitigate natural disasters, droughts, sustainably manage resources, and alleviate poverty in areas affected or at risk of being affected by desertification; promote the establishment of early warning systems in sensitive regions.

4. Closely cooperate with international organizations and foreign non-governmental organizations in implementing the Convention; seek financial and technical support from the international community to implement the National Action Program to Combat Desertification.

5. Study and propose the drafting of legal documents stipulating or guiding the implementation of the Convention, to be submitted to competent state authorities for consideration and decision.

Article 3. Working regime:

1. The Coordination Board shall have its headquarters and supporting units located at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Members and supporting units of the Coordination Board shall work on a part-time basis. Staff of the supporting units shall be determined by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

2. The Head of the Coordination Board is responsible to

Article 4. The operating budget of the Coordination Board shall be allocated within the annual budget estimate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in accordance with the State Budget Law.

Article 5. This Decision takes effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-affiliated agencies, chairpersons of provincial People's Committees under the Central Government, and chairpersons of municipal People's Committees under the Central Government, and the Head of the Coordination Board is responsible for implementing this Decision.