Decision No. 78/2008/QD-BNN Approving the Forestry Research Strategy of Vietnam until 2020

Pursuant to …;

Approving the Forestry Research Strategy of Vietnam until 2020

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2008/NĐ-CP dated January 3, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Pursuant to the Law on Science and Technology (No. 21/2000/QH10 dated June 9, 2000) of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

Pursuant to the Forestry Development Strategy for the period 2006-2020 approved by Decision No. 18/2007/QĐ-TTg dated February 5, 2007 of the Prime Minister;

In accordance with the proposal of the Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment.

DECISION:

Article 1. Approving the Forestry Research Strategy of Vietnam until 2020 with the following main contents:

1. Current status of forestry research in Vietnam

a) Achievements

In recent times, scientific research in forestry has increasingly contributed effectively to the development of the forestry sector, agricultural development, and rural development. Applied research and technology transfer, including imported technology, have been strengthened, contributing to shortening research time and serving production effectively. The number of projects applied to production increased from 27% during the period 1976-1990 to 41% during the period 1991-1995, 53% during the period 1996-2000, and 56% during the period 2001-2004.

The number of units participating in research has increased, investment in research has improved, the level of investment has risen, and sources of funding have become more diverse; in addition to state budget funds for scientific research, international cooperation projects, forest protection and development projects funded by foreign countries, the PAM program, and some national programs have also made significant contributions to forestry scientific research such as Projects 327, 661, ...

In key areas such as seed selection and propagation, the achievements of Vietnam's research have reached the level of other countries in the region and some advanced countries. Research results have been widely applied in practical production. Many national varieties and advanced technical varieties of Eucalyptus, Acacia, Casuarina, etc., with high productivity and resistance have been recognized. Tissue culture technology has become a relatively common technique for mass production of uniform seedlings.

Achievements in specific fields include:

- Classification of forest soils, evaluation of potential and suitability of soil for major tree species, land classification, site zoning.

- Classification of forest vegetation in Vietnam, determination of the main characteristics of broadleaf evergreen forests, coniferous forests, deciduous forests, karst forests, and mangrove forests.

- Assessment of biodiversity in Vietnam's forest ecosystems; endemic and rare species at risk of extinction; proposals for conservation methods and conservation of some gene sources.

- Establishment of a scientific and technological basis for sustainable management of natural forests.

- Identification of tree species suitable for planting on barren hillsides; improvement of seed varieties, propagation techniques, and intensive cultivation techniques for high-yield plantations (Acacia, Eucalyptus).

- Proposing wood processing technologies for plantation timber (drying, sawing, artificial boards, chipping, etc.), and preservation of certain forest products.

- Determination of basic properties of wood as a basis for use and classification into wood groups.

- Forecasting the forest product market and proposing some grounds for formulating forestry policies to drive industry development.

- Issuing hundreds of national standards and industry standards, procedures, and technical regulations.

b) Regarding shortcomings and existing issues:

One of the major issues in forestry scientific research is that the number of research outcomes applied to production remains limited, and research has not kept pace with production needs. The main reasons identified are:

- Information work, industry development forecasting, and a strategic plan for scientific and technological research for the industry are weak. The direction, goals, and prioritization of research topics are not accurately determined, leading to low research effectiveness and insufficient connection with practical production and the market.

There are still many gaps in research, such as basic research to develop new technical solutions and technologies; research on forest resource management and forest land; research on forest organization and management; market research for forest products; research on forest valuation and environmental services; research related to climate change: impacts and adaptation measures, application of foreign technological advancements...

- Research organization is unreasonable. During the planning process, long-term production cycles of forest trees were not adequately considered, research projects often suffer interruptions and fragmentation. Users of research outcomes are not involved in determining the content, implementing, and evaluating research results.

- Lack of motivation for research and application of technological progress in production. Current policies do not truly encourage and promote scientific research, especially remuneration and utilization policies for scientific researchers, which lack attractiveness for talented individuals to engage in forestry research, limiting dynamism, autonomy, and creativity.

- Insufficient, weak, and uncoordinated research staff, particularly at local levels and institutions; lack of formation of scientific teams across various specialized fields with different levels of expertise and little continuity; when transitioning to a market mechanism and shifting towards social forestry, the workforce lacks appropriate knowledge and approaches, resulting in lower sensitivity and research effectiveness.

- Poor coordination among scientists, research institutions, between research and popularization and production, and training. There is no close coordination between science and technology programs and economic and social development programs and industry development programs. The economic benefits of research activities and technology transfer have not been given adequate attention.

- Research conditions are both insufficient and outdated. Laboratory equipment has not met requirements; research and experimental forests lack appropriate management regulations. Funding for research is very low and far from the required level.

2. Forestry Research Organizations

a) Research Organization System:

The forestry scientific research organization system has been quite well established, with the Vietnam Forest Science Institute being the main research organization and the leading forestry research agency. Several independent forestry scientific research organizations under the Vietnam Forestry Engineering and Science Association and Vietnam Forestry Universities have also been formed. Many related agencies and organizations within the forestry sector have participated in forestry scientific research. However, research potential, especially in National Parks and forestry facilities, has generally not been fully utilized, and some necessary fields have received little investment in research. Forestry production and business establishments have not adequately invested in forestry research.

- The Vietnam Forest Science Institute is a forestry research agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, established in 1961 and reorganized in 1988. Prior to 1988, based on the separation from the old Forest Science Institute, there were several independent forestry scientific research organizations operating, namely the Forest Institute, the Timber Industry Institute, and the Forest Economics Institute, all under the Ministry of Forestry (and the Forestry General Department).

The current functions and tasks of the Vietnam Forest Science Institute include: conducting scientific and technological research on forest biology, timber industry, and forestry economics to serve management and production activities in the sector; developing and implementing economic and social programs and scientific and technological programs of the sector; establishing management regulations and technical procedures, norms, and standards in forestry economics and technology; training university-level staff in forest biology and wood processing, enhancing the qualifications and capabilities of forestry science and technology staff, and implementing international cooperation and consulting services in the field of forestry science and technology.

The Vietnam Forest Science Institute has a Scientific Council, functional departments, research rooms, specialized research centers, technology transfer centers, and regional centers with a multi-disciplinary team of scientific staff, a system of laboratories, workshops, and over 10,000 hectares of research and experimental forests.

In recent years, the advantage of forestry scientific research at the Vietnam Forest Science Institute mainly lies in basic and applied research in forest biology and forestry. Issues concerning the timber industry and forestry management economics have not received much attention.

- Scientific research organizations of the Forestry University: Environmental Science Center..., Paper Raw Material Research Center (now the Paper Raw Material Research Institute under the Vietnam Paper Corporation), centers and institutes of the Forestry Engineering and Science Association are forestry scientific research organizations in various fields, particularly in environmental forest ecology, management, and forestry economics. These organizations have effectively attracted many forestry science and technology staff working in various agencies or retired to engage in forestry research.

- Participating in forestry scientific research also includes units operating in different areas within the forestry sector, such as: Forest Inventory and Planning Institute, three forest protection technical centers (under the Forest Protection General Department). (Forest Protection Region 1 in Quang Ninh, Region 2 in Thanh Hoa, and Region 3 in Ho Chi Minh City), Forestry Technical Secondary Schools and Vocational Technical Forestry Schools, National Parks and nature conservation areas under central and local authorities.

Public institutions belonging to other sectors, such as forestry departments of Thai Nguyen Agricultural and Forestry University, Hue Agricultural and Forestry University, Ho Chi Minh City Agricultural and Forestry University, Western Highlands University, and some others like Hanoi University of Agriculture, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, Hanoi National University... Research institutes such as the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Fruit Research Institute, Soil and Agricultural Chemistry Institute, Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agricultural and Rural Development... also participate in researching topics and directly serving national forestry programs such as Program 327, 661...

- Production and business establishments, such as: Forest Seed Company, Vietnam Forest Corporation... also implement research projects in various fields, particularly in seed-related areas such as seed selection, propagation, establishment of seedling gardens, seedling forests, and research on tree species providing paper raw materials.

- Participating in forestry scientific research also includes local institutions: Experimental Forestry Farms, Agricultural and Forestry Science and Technology Centers, Agricultural and Forestry Extension Centers, Experimental Forest Farms... which have functions and tasks related to scientific research, application of advanced technologies, technology transfer, or popularization...

Many international organizations have shown interest in forestry research and supported domestic partners in implementing numerous forestry research programs, notably: FAO, CIFOR, APAFRI, ACIAR, CSIRO, DANIDA, JICA, SIDA, SAREC, UNDP, IUCN, TBI, GTZ...

b) Research Resources:

- Human resources: In recent years, the training of research and teaching staff both domestically and internationally has been significantly strengthened, and the number of young master's and doctoral degree holders in research agencies and universities has increased noticeably. However, leading personnel in many forestry research fields (such as: forestry science) are still lacking or have not yet established themselves. The research capabilities of young staff are uneven, and the number of excellent researchers is still limited.

- Research equipment is generally outdated compared to many countries in the region or compared to other agricultural sectors domestically. The forestry sector does not have a National Key Laboratory or significant concentrated investment.

c) Research Management Mechanism:

- The management mechanism for science and technology has undergone many reforms, especially since the Law on Science and Technology came into effect; the determination of research plans has shifted from assigning tasks to public selection and open bidding, fostering healthy competition and equality among research participants and contributing to enhancing research efficiency. The Science and Technology Development Strategy 2010 and Decree No. 115/2005/NĐ-CP of the Government have addressed and regulated the autonomous and self-responsible mechanisms of public scientific and technological organizations.

- Regarding the implementation of research programs and topics: Before 1980, topics were compiled into industry programs; starting from 1981, advanced technology programs with specific goals were established at two levels: State and industry. In addition to national and industry-level key programs, there are independent topics and regular research tasks. The lack of long-term research programs suitable for the forestry sector's characteristics poses significant challenges for annual research planning.

- Research management work has seen a clearer division of responsibilities between the Ministry of Science and Technology and specialized ministries, as well as a clear hierarchical division of tasks among State, industry, and grassroots levels.

- The financial management mechanism in research has been slow to reform, failing to encourage scientific and technological activities and attract talent; this characteristic is even more pronounced in forestry research, given its unique nature with numerous difficulties related to geographical areas, long timeframes, and high risks.

- The inspection, evaluation, acceptance... mechanisms, although having improved significantly, still place too much emphasis on procedures and formality.

- There is a lack of a management mechanism for research outcomes to ensure that research results are effectively utilized, and there is insufficient coordination with the network of forest extension services to incorporate research results into production. There is also a lack of an information management system to serve different stakeholders such as managers, policymakers, research institutions, training centers, and production and business establishments.

3. Objectives and Content of the Forestry Research Strategy until 2020

After completing this module, the trainee will be able to:

- General Objective

Forestry research aims to contribute to guiding the development of forestry, implementing the Forestry Development Strategy and the overall agricultural research plan of Vietnam until 2020 effectively; serving the requirements of industrialization and modernization of agriculture and rural areas in Vietnam until 2020.

- Specific objectives

+ Direction for Industry Development: Providing a scientific basis to guide the development of the industry towards socializing the forestry profession while enhancing the function of providing goods and environmental services of forests.

+ Production Goals and Biodiversity Conservation: Enhancing research effectiveness, linking scientific research with practical production, increasing the contribution rate of science to the industry's development to achieve the following targets:

Increasing the productivity of natural forests by 1.5 times for groups of economically valuable trees;

Developing productive plantation forests with some key species that have high productivity and sustainability (increasing by 1.5 to 2 times);

Protecting and enhancing the protective value of various types of forests, particularly upstream protective forests and coastal protective forests.

Conserving, developing, and sustainably using biodiversity resources, including genetic resources of forests, as well as non-timber forest products;

Improving technologies to ensure low-impact harvesting of natural forests, developing small and medium-scale wood processing technologies, diversifying raw material usage.

+ Strengthening Research Capacity:

Strengthening research capacity and improving the research organization system, combining research with training, developing human resources, expanding international cooperation to bring the level of forestry science and technology up to par with other countries in the region. Specific goals to be achieved include:

An appropriate and effective research organizational system; establishing close relationships between research - training - popularization.

Researchers trained sufficiently to meet practical needs and international integration, with leading researchers possessing the necessary capabilities and continuity.

Modern infrastructure and research equipment strengthened in line with the general level of the region.

Establishing an information technology system with a strong database to support research and the application of forestry research results in practical production.

b) Priority Research Areas:

Based on the Forestry Development Strategy for the period 2006-2020 and the Science and Technology Development Strategy 2010, which have been approved, priority research areas are arranged according to fields and divided into three levels of priority: high priority, medium priority, and low priority.

Priority research issues are arranged in six fields: 1) Forest planning, monitoring, and assessment; 2) Forestry policy and institutional framework; 3) Sustainable forest management; 4) Forest environment and biodiversity; 5) Silviculture and forest technology (natural forests, plantations, non-timber forest products); 6) Forest industry, preservation, and wood product processing.

Forest planning, monitoring, and assessment include:

+ Macro and micro-level forest land use planning.

+ Research and application of advanced science and technology solutions in forest resource surveys and monitoring.

+ Establishing management files, assessment criteria, and monitoring systems for forest resources.

Forestry policy and institutional framework include:

+ Forecasting trends in forestry development in each phase (needs, markets, supply capacity).

+ Summarizing practical experiences, evaluating the implementation of policies and mechanisms, large programs, and projects, proposing new solutions and mechanisms for forestry policies, such as: policies for socializing the forestry industry, land allocation, and forest distribution; policies on sharing benefits from forests, investment, credit, and forest environmental services, the role of forests in poverty reduction and the industry's contribution to the national economy...

+ State management system for forestry, forest management system, and forestry production organization system, economic and technical standards for the forestry industry...

+ Developing forestry within a market mechanism.

Sustainable forest management includes:

+ Forms of managing and developing various types of forests.

+ Methods for sustainable exploitation and utilization of forests, including both natural and planted forests.

+ Establishing national standards for sustainable forest management.

Forest environment and biodiversity, including:

+ Forests in environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and disaster prevention. Protective capabilities of different types of forests.

+ Valuation of forest values related to the environment and landscape.

+ Biodiversity of natural forests and enhancing biodiversity in planted forests.

+ Conservation and utilization of genetic resources of native rare flora and fauna species.

+ Research and development of urban forestry.

Forestry science and silviculture, including:

+ Natural forests: characteristics of major natural forest ecosystems in Vietnam; systems of silvicultural techniques aimed at improving the quality of degraded natural forests through intensive management; sustainable harvesting techniques for natural forests and post-harvest forest restoration.

+ Planted forests: scientific basis for determining key economic tree species for various ecological regions; improving seedlings of major tree species (yield, quality, and resistance); intensive management of planted production forests (small and large timber); scientific basis and system of techniques for constructing protective forests; technical solutions for planting forests and promoting regeneration and recovery of forests for specific ecosystems (mangrove forests, shrub forests); management and control measures for forest pests and fires.

+ Non-timber forest products: assessment of non-timber forest product resources; sustainable harvesting and development of non-timber forest products at household and farm scales; cultivation, processing, and preservation of valuable and potential non-timber forest products.

Forest industry, storage, and processing of forest products, including:

+ Building databases on the characteristics of wood and non-timber forest products in Vietnam.

+ Evaluating the potential for developing wood and non-timber forest product sources. Diversifying the use of raw materials.

+ Low-impact forest product harvesting technologies; application of advanced technologies in harvesting planted forests.

+ Technologies for preserving and environmentally safe preservatives for forest products.

+ Processing technologies for medium and small-scale forest products.

+ Establishing standards for wood and wood products.

During the period from 2008 to 2010, priority was given to topics such as establishing a system of indicators for evaluating and monitoring forest resources; land allocation policies, forest allocation, joint management of various types of forests and forest environmental services, benefit-sharing policies, social forestry development, forest valuation, establishing national standards for sustainable forest management, valuation of forest environmental and landscape values, disaster and environmental risk management; improving seedlings; intensive management of planted forests supplying small timber and rehabilitation of natural and planted forests to supply large timber; market evaluation of forest products, research and development of preservation and processing technologies for medium and small-scale forest products...

c) Strengthening research capacity

- Organizing the research system

+ The main goal of organizing the research system is to further enhance research efficiency and reduce duplication in research projects. Key issues of concern include:

Clearly defining the functions and tasks of each research organization, gradually shaping the "sharp edges" of each research organization within the entire forestry scientific research system.

Attracting all human resources within the entire system for forestry scientific research through collaboration in research, well-organized research information, and training.

Organizing the research system nationwide and within each research institution to be appropriate with new circumstances and tasks.

+ Coordination relationships among research organizations:

The current agricultural research system (including forestry) is organized into three levels: national, regional, and provincial. The trend in organizing the agricultural research system will gradually reduce central research institutions, expand regional and provincial research institutions.

At the central level, the Vietnam Forestry Science Institute is the leading research institute for forestry. The Institute has established specialized research centers and regional centers, forming a unified system within its organizational structure. In the future, the independence and autonomy of these research centers will be gradually enhanced to better meet the practical development needs of the sector.

Encouraging the development and activities of other forestry scientific research organizations outside the Vietnam Forestry Science Institute, especially those outside the state.

At localities and bases, encouraging comprehensive practical research, encouraging economic sectors to participate in forestry research; centers for research may be formed in places with urgent needs and sufficient resource conditions.

Incorporating scientific research tasks as regular tasks for organizations within the system of National Parks, Nature Reserves, Forestry Companies, universities, colleges, and vocational schools.

Enhancing coordination among research institutions through a shared research information system, participating together in wide-ranging or multi-disciplinary research programs and projects.

+ With the formation of diverse research organizations, clearly defining the functions and tasks of each organization appropriately and establishing relationships within the research organization system.

The Vietnam Forestry Science Institute must prioritize and focus on pioneering, breakthrough, long-term, and fundamental research with strategic significance. Regional Institutes mainly concentrate on researching immediate regional issues and combining research on regional development strategies.

Universities, in addition to participating in applied research for production, should aim at basic research that contributes to improving teaching quality and perfecting curricula.

+ Gradually improve the organizational structure for research within the same Institute/ Center to be suitable with the specific characteristics of forestry research. Develop research centers in each field, specialized studies, regional centers, technology transfer centers. Flexible research organizations may be formed for a certain period of time such as specialized study groups and multi-disciplinary groups...

+ Pay attention to building cooperative relationships in research, establish close ties between research institutes and universities, regional institutes, and develop cooperative relations with organizations both inside and outside the industry, non-governmental organizations.

+ Strongly transform the management system regarding planning and finance of research organizations to meet the new requirements of self-financed scientific and technological organizations and science-based enterprises. Research organizations must aim towards multi-disciplines, have competitive capabilities, participate in bidding for domestic and international topics and projects, have credibility to form joint ventures and collaborations in research and technology transfer.

- Develop human resources

Train human resources for forestry research according to the following basic orientations:

+ Comprehensive, deep, and synchronized training: prioritize deep training at central research agencies, and comprehensive training for local researchers.

+ Synchronized and harmonized training between researchers with academic degrees such as Master's and Doctorate with practical Engineers and Technicians.

+ Properly emphasize the training of female human resources in research.

+ Training human resources for Institutes and research agencies must particularly focus on improving the quality of training at universities, especially forestry and agriculture-forestry universities.

- Strengthen infrastructure and research equipment

Strengthen infrastructure and research equipment, particularly focusing on experimental fields, experimental forests, seedling systems, collection gardens, breeding gardens, local research facilities, regional centers, and regional institutes. Long-term research sites, especially for natural forests, must be maintained over the long term.

Study and propose management mechanisms and usage of research forests in scientific research institutions and research forests in production units or other public services.

Enhance research equipment towards modern and advanced research methods, including:

+ Prioritize modern equipment for central research organizations.

+ Allocate appropriate equipment for common and specialized research field studies at local and facility levels.

+ Modern research equipment should be linked with the training of skilled experts and technicians.

- Develop information systems, build research databases according to the following basic orientations:

+ Invest in building necessary information systems such as libraries, internet networks, LANs, websites to form an information network that can be updated from external and internal sources within research agencies.

+ Build databases in forestry, particularly in research and long-term research site construction (long-term sites) serving long-term, multi-disciplinary research.

Specify the information and databases that need to be updated in the forestry research information system after the completion of each topic funded by the state budget.

d) Improve research efficiency

- Establish implementation plans for strategies

The plan must aim to address urgent issues in the short term while also focusing on fundamental and long-term research issues and forecasting new issues in the future. Develop long-term and medium-term plans to anticipate production needs, ensuring synchronization and continuity.

Forestry research not only solves technical problems but also social issues, addressing comprehensively from the initial stage (planting) to the final stage (consumption). Strategic plans must highlight the importance of the research network (research network) and research cooperation among units within each agency and between research organizations domestically and internationally.

- Apply modern technology to research

Apply modern technologies and techniques appropriately to implement topics to increase the effectiveness, quality, and scientific reliability of research results, such as biotechnology in seed selection, hybridization, propagation, genetic diversity assessment for gene conservation and biodiversity (genetic engineering, Isoenzyme, molecular markers), plant protection (biological products), radioactive isotopes in environmental research, new technologies in wood product preservation and processing... Early access to modern technologies in assessing forest resource dynamics and fire control.

- Access research information

Increase access to domestic and international information sources. Research data and materials managed by researchers or research agencies are managed and opportunities for sharing are created so that everyone has the right to use when needed.

Information sources are always supplemented, stored, and transferred.

Researchers access and update the latest information sources fully through mastering modern information technology skills.

Access local knowledge from local people in areas related to forestry work and forest management.

- Expand international cooperation

Consider developing international relations as an important task to create favorable conditions for achieving set goals. International cooperation follows the following directions:

+ Clearly identify countries, international organizations, and their strengths to build long-term mutually beneficial cooperative relationships based on shared interests. They can be divided into main groups such as:

Countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Countries with advanced forestry science: Australia, Sweden, Denmark, France, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Germany...

International organizations and funding partners: FAO, UNDP, IUFRO, APAFRI, CIFOR, IDRC, ACIAR, Tropenbos, Ford Foundation, JICA, INBAR, IPGRI, GTZ...

+ Promote bilateral and multilateral research cooperation, particularly in areas such as improving seed varieties, hybridization, wood processing, forest environment, and biodiversity.

+ Strengthen the training of staff through international cooperation activities. Encourage the establishment and participation in international cooperation projects, viewing these as opportunities to access new information, research methods, modern technology, learn from experience, and supplement funding.

- Strengthen technology transfer

Research topics must have clear outputs and results (such as experimental plantation models, new seed varieties, new technologies, new machinery...) that are convincing. Some research results need to be converted into procedures or technical guidelines for technology transfer opportunities. New techniques and results must be quickly implemented from small-scale experiments to larger trials. Research topics with promising results and further implementation needs will be prioritized in planning research, especially in practical production applications.

Enhance the forestry extension workforce so they can both promote and disseminate technology to buyers and act as technology transfer agents through training sessions and guidance.

Strengthen collaboration between researchers, forest growers, forestry extension teams, and processing facilities to ensure that research has specific and practical goals, meeting product requirements and producer needs, especially focusing on forest farms, raw material planting companies, and farms where promising results can be quickly applied.

Link research with educational and training institutions to incorporate new results into university and graduate course curricula, providing new knowledge to students and trainees. This link is implemented through cooperative research projects and teaching special topics.

Technology transfer is an urgent task for organizations and research agencies in the coming period.

- Monitoring and evaluation

Current research programs, topics, and projects are regularly monitored, evaluated, and accepted by management agencies of Ministries, Ministry Science Councils, and research agencies. During the evaluation process, attention should be paid to adjusting research objectives and content appropriately; evaluating the expected benefits and outcomes of the topic to serve as a basis for assessing the effectiveness of the topic at the end. The involvement of users of the topic's results during the evaluation should be emphasized. Products of the topic and the results transferred to production must be particularly noted during the evaluation.

4. Implementation Solutions for the Strategy

a) Organizational solutions

- Establish forestry research networks at central and regional levels to exchange information, coordinate cooperation in research, and propose interdisciplinary research contents. The network is placed in relation to various Departments and Bureaus of Ministries and provincial-level institutions.

- Clearly define the specific and primary research functions of research organizations.

- Form cooperation mechanisms through agreements and memorandums of understanding between research and training units, developing bilateral relationships under various forms.

- Shape research organizations suitable for transformation into scientific enterprises or self-financing science and technology organizations by 2008-2009.

b) Development of human resources solutions

- Develop human resources

+ Develop long-term plans and implement policies for training research staff, particularly young and female staff. Train young staff through training courses (research methods, research topics...), creating conditions for young staff to participate in or lead domestic and international cooperative projects. Strengthen the self-training process of young staff and consider this as their responsibility.

Gradually arrange for research staff to regularly participate in practical production activities and teaching, and vice versa.

+ Select priority fields for training female staff, particularly in teaching and research such as: Biotechnology, wood processing, policy economics, and forest environment.

+ Plan training, allocate, and utilize staff reasonably, which is an important task of research agencies and is reflected in specific plans.

+ Develop solutions to improve the quality of training at universities and secondary schools.

- Develop research infrastructure: plan and implement measures to protect, maintain, and monitor fixed research sites over the long term.

- Strengthen research equipment linked to training skilled experts and technicians, and effectively use existing research equipment based on close integration with research topics and cooperation in equipment usage. Prioritize research topics related to the use of advanced equipment at equipped facilities.

- Properly address the issue of funding for equipment maintenance through allocated funds and contributions from research projects or from selling research products.

c) Financial solutions

- In addition to state budget funding, strengthen the mobilization of funding from producers, businesses, and domestic and foreign sponsors to increase funding for forestry research projects.

- Upgrade the scientific staff, physical infrastructure, and research orientation to align with market economy, thereby meeting practical production needs and attracting investment funds, creating links with production. Organize multi-disciplinary, dynamic research teams (Research team) to implement effective research topics that adapt to business and sponsor demands.

- Closely link research institutions, institutes with universities and training facilities to coordinate and cooperate in research.

d) Support policy solutions

Implement state policies well:

- Policies to encourage scientific researchers, creating favorable conditions for leading scientists (Professors, Associate Professors, Doctors), and female scientists to fully utilize their research capabilities.

- Sharing research costs and sharing benefits derived from research (contributions of manufacturers and industry to research...). Strictly implement copyright and intellectual property rights in research.

- Encouragement policies for enterprises to invest in research.

Article 2. Implementation

1. Implementation schedule

The forestry research strategy will be implemented in two phases: 2008-2010 and 2011-2020.

a) Phase 2008-2010:

- Finalize, approve, and introduce the forestry research strategy document to partners, central agencies, and local authorities.

- Implement the contents of the forestry research strategy and develop a forestry research action plan.

- Establish a forestry research network and cooperative relationships between relevant research and teaching institutions.

- Identify funding sources for research, engage with domestic and foreign partners and investors, and develop international cooperation in research, particularly with traditional international organizations such as SIDA, ACIAR, JICA, Tropenbos, FAO, UNDP, IUFRO, APAFRI, IUCN, CIFOR, and the Ford Foundation.

- Publicize research topics and projects and select agencies and individuals to undertake them. Promote the transfer of research results and technological advancements to production.

- Summarize and evaluate the effectiveness of the forestry research strategy during the 2008-2010 phase. Reorient, supplement, and adjust the strategy for the 2011-2020 phase to align with societal and forestry sector development realities, especially regarding objectives and priority research areas in the new phase.

b) Phase 2011-2020

- Organize the implementation of new research projects.

- Stabilize the research organizational system.

- Focus on implementing solutions to enhance research capacity and level to match those of countries in the region, emphasizing research institutes and regional centers.

- Evaluate the results of the strategy's implementation throughout the 2008-2020 period, contributing scientific and technological achievements to the completion of the sectoral development strategy and GDP share.

2. Integration of the forestry research strategy with related national strategies and action plans

During the implementation of the forestry research strategy, always consider integration with the sectoral development strategy, urgent demands from practical production through programs for sector development and support, the project to plant five million hectares of new forests, the overall research plan for Vietnamese agriculture, the action plan for biodiversity conservation in Vietnam, the strategy for managing wetlands in Vietnam, and strategies related to forest resource exploitation and the forestry sector.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in implementing the programs of the forestry research strategy with national programs on forest protection and development, ecological environment protection, and biodiversity conservation.

3. Assignment of responsibilities and coordination in implementing the strategy

- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall coordinate with the Ministries of Science and Technology, Natural Resources and Environment, Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance... and Provincial People's Committees to develop research plans to implement the forestry research program for the entire strategic period and each year.

- The Vietnam Forestry Science Institute, other forestry research organizations, and organizations involved in specific forestry research shall concretize this strategy into specific tasks, exploit all legitimate funding sources for research, and invest in building research capacity.

4. Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the strategy

Annually, based on set targets, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors, and provincial people's committees to assess the implementation of the 2008-2020 forestry research strategy and the annual action plan. In 2010, organize an evaluation of the strategy's implementation during the 2008-2010 phase and prepare orientation and adjustments for the subsequent phase.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 4. The Director of the Office of the Ministry, the Head of the Department of Science, Technology, and Environment, the Director of the Forest Management Bureau, the Director of the Forest Protection Bureau, the Director of the Vietnam Forestry Science Institute, and the Heads of related units are responsible for implementing this Decision./.