Highlights of domestic events this past week

(Baonghean.vn) - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the State Bank of Vietnam's year-end review conference; the Ministry of Industry and Trade held a conference to summarize its work in 2016 and implement tasks for 2017; the implementation of nationwide mass mobilization tasks for 2017 was carried out; the 2017 Year of Traffic Safety was launched;... these are some of the outstanding domestic events of the past week.

1. Online Conference on Science and Technology

Online conference on Science and Technology for Socio-Economic Development, held at the Hanoi venue. Photo: Huy Hung

On the morning of January 4, 2017, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) held a nationwide online conference to summarize the work of 2016 and implement the work of 2017 with the theme "Science and Technology Serving Socio-Economic Development".

The conference was attended by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, leaders of ministries and agencies, and representatives of the People's Committees and departments at the local level.

At the conference, Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh presented a detailed report on the results of science and technology activities, outlining the direction and tasks for 2017. He also made recommendations for resolving the industry's obstacles.

After listening to the opinions expressed at the Conference, the participants highly appreciated the results achieved by the Ministry of Science and Technology in the past year, and unanimously agreed on the role and position of science and technology in the development of their respective sectors and fields.

2. The Ministry of Industry and Trade organized a conference to summarize its work in 2016 and plan for 2017.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stated that the Ministry of Industry and Trade "stumbled but did not fall" despite some problems in 2016. Photo: VGP.

On January 6th, the Ministry of Industry and Trade held a conference to summarize its work in 2016 and outline its tasks for 2017.

Speaking at the conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc assessed 2016 as a year full of difficulties and challenges. The industry and trade sector also experienced many personnel changes and loss-making projects in some units. However, the sector has risen above these challenges through its own efforts.

"It can be said that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has stumbled but not fallen! Never before have we faced such difficulties as this year, from man-made disasters and natural disasters to monetary issues, production, and business. Although some targets have not been met, the role and contribution of the industry and trade sector to overall development is very significant," the Prime Minister shared.

In particular, the manufacturing industry has become a bright spot contributing to growth, increasing by 11.2%, compared to a growth rate of 10.5% in the same period. The balance of supply and demand for essential goods and consumer goods is ensured. The fight against smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, goods of unknown origin, and substandard goods has been basically well implemented.

Regarding administrative reform and restructuring, the Prime Minister assessed that the ministry's operations have achieved good results in terms of streamlining and efficiency. The number of departments has decreased, and the number of personnel in bureaus and divisions has also been reduced. The ministry has eliminated many regulations and procedures related to investment and business; and launched an online public service portal integrating all level 3-4 public services of the ministry into a single window.

3. Implementing the national mass mobilization tasks in 2017

Comrade Dinh The Huynh delivered a speech giving directions at the conference.

On the morning of January 5th, in Hanoi, the Central Committee's Department of Mass Mobilization held a conference to summarize mass mobilization work in 2016 and implement tasks for 2017. Attending the conference were Politburo members: Dinh The Huynh, Standing Member of the Central Party Secretariat; Nguyen Thien Nhan, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front; Truong Hoa Binh, Standing Deputy Prime Minister; and Truong Thi Mai, Secretary of the Central Party Committee and Head of the Central Committee's Department of Mass Mobilization. Also attending were Central Party Committee members and representatives from central departments, ministries, and agencies. The conference was held online with 63 connection points nationwide.

Speaking at the conference, on behalf of the Politburo and the Secretariat, Comrade Dinh The Huynh commended the Party committees, government agencies, armed forces, the Fatherland Front, people's organizations, and the staff working in mass mobilization throughout the political system for their efforts, determination, and proactive approach in effectively carrying out mass mobilization work in the past period.

Comrade Dinh The Huynh emphasized several issues that need to be focused on to improve the effectiveness of mass mobilization work in 2017, such as: Mass mobilization work needs to have a firm grasp of the people's situation, focusing on promptly and effectively resolving the people's legitimate concerns; making the people trust in the Party's leadership, and strengthening the close relationship between the people and the Party and the State.

Party committees and organizations at all levels value and truly rely on the people to build the Party and the government. They pay attention to and improve the material and spiritual lives of the people. They continue to innovate the content and methods of operation of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, political and social organizations, and mass associations to meet the requirements and tasks in the new situation. They promote and improve the quality of research, summarization, and inspection and supervision of the implementation of the Party's directives and resolutions on mass mobilization work…

4. The 11th Conference of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (8th term)

The 11th Conference of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (8th term). Photo: VOV

On January 3, 2017, the 11th Conference of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (8th term) was held in Can Tho City. Comrade Nguyen Thien Nhan, Member of the Political Bureau and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, presided over the conference.

Delivering a keynote address at the conference, Comrade Nguyen Thien Nhan, Member of the Political Bureau and Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, emphasized: The 11th Conference of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (8th term) is taking place in the context of having just concluded the first year of implementing the Resolution of the 12th National Party Congress; and three years of implementing the "Regulations on Social Supervision and Criticism of the Vietnam Fatherland Front and political and social organizations" according to Decision No. 217-QĐ/TW of the Political Bureau.

In particular, this is a time when the entire Party, the entire people, and the entire army are actively studying, understanding, and vigorously implementing the Resolutions of the Fourth Plenum of the 12th Central Committee of the Party, including the Resolution "on strengthening Party building and rectification; preventing and repelling the decline in political ideology, morality, and lifestyle, and the manifestations of 'self-evolution' and 'self-transformation' within the Party."

5. Launching the 2017 Road Safety Year

A parade through the streets after the launch ceremony.

On the morning of January 4th, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, launched the 2017 Traffic Safety Year.

Attending the launch ceremony were Minister of Transport Truong Quang Nghia, Standing Vice Chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung, leaders of central and Hanoi ministries and agencies, and a large number of functional forces.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that in recent years, traffic safety has seen many positive changes. Continuously from 2011 to the end of 2016, traffic accidents were reduced in all three criteria: the number of incidents, the number of deaths, and the number of injuries; traffic congestion in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has been gradually overcome.

Entering 2017, with continued strong economic growth and increasingly deep international integration, the demand for transportation, the number of vehicles, and the diversity of road users will continue to increase, creating significant challenges for ensuring traffic safety and order.

Therefore, the National Traffic Safety Committee has developed the 2017 Traffic Safety Year program with the theme "Building a traffic culture among young people" with the spirit of "Human life is paramount," aiming to reduce the number of traffic accidents, deaths, and injuries by 5-10% compared to 2016.

6. Opening Ceremony10th Conference of the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Association (6th term)

Chairman of the Vietnam Farmers' Association, Lai Xuan Mon, delivers the opening speech at the conference - Photo: PC

On January 4th, in Hanoi, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Association held its 10th Executive Committee meeting (6th term) to evaluate the Association's work and the farmers' movement in 2016 and to implement tasks for 2017. Comrade Lai Xuan Mon, Member of the Central Committee of the Party and Chairman of the Vietnam Farmers' Association, presided over the meeting.

In his opening remarks at the Conference, Chairman of the Vietnam Farmers' Association Lai Xuan Mon emphasized: At the conference, delegates will discuss and provide feedback on the draft reports: the Report summarizing the work of the Association and the farmers' movement in 2016, and the direction and tasks for 2017; the Report summarizing the 5-year implementation of Resolution 07 of the Central Executive Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Association (5th term) on promoting services and support for farmers in the period 2010-2015; and determining the direction and tasks for supporting farmers in the coming time.

At the same time, elections were held to supplement the Executive Committee and Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Farmers' Association, 6th term, 2013-2018.

7. The Formosa incident did not make it into the top 10 environmental and resource events of 2016.

The marine environmental disaster caused by Formosa was not among the top 10 events selected by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in 2016.

The serious marine environmental pollution incident in four central provinces, which caused mass fish deaths, was not included in the top 10 outstanding events of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in 2016.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha signed Decision No. 3110 announcing the 10 outstanding events of the Natural Resources and Environment sector in 2016. Notably, the serious environmental pollution incident in the coastal waters of four central provinces, which caused mass fish deaths, was not included in the list.

Immediately after the list of these 10 events was announced, the public questioned why the Formosa incident, which caused serious pollution of the Central Vietnam sea and left devastating consequences, was not included.

In response to this question, according to a representative from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the selection process is based on the criteria outlined in Decision 2141 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in 2012, which regulates the selection and announcement of outstanding annual events in the natural resources and environment sector. Accordingly, these events must be representative, excellent, exemplary, and make a worthy contribution to the development of the sector and the country. Alternatively, they must be large-scale events with significant political meaning and far-reaching impact, affecting the entire sector and the nation, and making a significant contribution to the country's development. Or, they must be groundbreaking events, highly regarded by the community, creating a revolutionary transformation or a foundation for the sustainable development of the country.

Therefore, the environmental incident in the central coastal region was not included in the selection criteria, even though it was included in the evaluation with the positive meaning of representing the efforts of many agencies and departments in finding the cause and rectifying it.

8. Thanh Luong won the Vietnamese Golden Ball in 2016.

From left to right are Xuan Truong, Thanh Luong, and Minh Tuan.

The Hanoi FC midfielder beat Luong Xuan Truong and Vu Minh Tuan to win the most prestigious individual award in Vietnamese football in 2016. The announcement ceremony took place in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of January 4th.

Pham Thanh Luong won with 246 points, while Luong Xuan Truong won the Silver Ball (229 points) and Vu Minh Tuan received the Bronze Ball (192 points).

This is the fourth time in his career that Luong "the eccentric" has won the Vietnamese Golden Ball – a record after 19 editions of the award. Previously, he won in 2009, 2011, and 2014.

Thành Lương had a successful year at the club level, winning the V-League title for the third time with Hanoi FC (formerly Hanoi T&T), despite being at the bottom of the table at the beginning of the season. He and his teammates then reached the final of the National Cup.

Peace

(Synthetic)