Full text of speech by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the conference summarizing anti-corruption

Dear leaders of the Party, State and Vietnam Fatherland Front,

Dear delegates,

Dear comrades,

Today, the Politburo held a national conference to review 10 years of anti-corruption work in the 2012-2022 period and set out directions for the coming period. This is a very important conference, discussing issues related to "fighting internal invaders", maintaining the purity and strength of the Party and the political system; consolidating and enhancing people's trust in the Party, the State and our regime; receiving great attention and high expectations from cadres, party members and the people. The full presence of the Politburo, the Secretariat, members of the Central Executive Committee, key leaders of central departments, ministries and branches and all 63 provinces and centrally-run cities with nearly 500 delegates attending the meeting in person and more than 80,000 delegates attending the meeting online at more than 4,000 points nationwide (many provinces and cities connected to district and commune levels) demonstrated the awareness, responsibility, seriousness and high determination of our entire Party in resolutely and persistently fighting against corruption and negativity; strictly implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress on this issue, as well as the Resolution of the 4th Central Conference of the 11th, 12th and 13th terms on building and rectifying the Party and a comprehensively clean and strong political system.

First of all, on behalf of the Politburo, the Secretariat, and the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption and anti-negativity, I would like to warmly welcome, greet, and thank you for attending the Conference in full and contributing many important, enthusiastic, and profound opinions, bringing to the Conference a spirit of excitement, solidarity, responsibility, and high unity. I would also like to send my warmest greetings, sincere regards, and best wishes to the delegates and comrades present at the conference points.

On the morning of June 30, the Politburo held a national conference to review 10 years of anti-corruption and anti-negativity work in the 2012-2022 period. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Dear comrades,

Our conference listened to Comrade Phan Dinh Trac - Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption and Negativity, briefly present the Report of the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption and Negativity, and the opinions of a number of delegates. All opinions expressed high agreement with the content of the Report, at the same time supplementing, analyzing, clarifying many issues; raising some valuable experiences, good practices in leadership, direction and implementation, thereby proposing, recommending, emphasizing some tasks and solutions to further improve the work of anti-corruption and negativity in the coming time. To conclude the conference, I would like to express some opinions that summarize the main results achieved and clarify and emphasize some issues so that we can all reach high consensus in leadership, direction and implementation in the coming time. I would like to mention two issues:

- Review of the fight against corruption in the period 2012 - 2022.

- Directions, tasks and solutions in the coming time.

Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong - General Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption and negativity concluded the conference. Photo: Pham Cuong

I- Review of the fight against corruption in the period 2012 - 2022

As we all know, based on the requirements and tasks in the new situation and with the desire and determination to create a new, stronger and more obvious change in the fight against corruption, the 5th Central Conference of the 11th tenure (May 2012) decided to establish a Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption under the Politburo, with the General Secretary as its Head, to comprehensively direct the work of anti-corruption nationwide. Implementing this policy, on February 1, 2013, the Steering Committee was officially established and began implementing activities, with members including key leaders in relevant agencies of the Party and State.

Through the Summary Report and listening to the opinions; through the specific results in practice, and through the investigation of public opinion, the assessment of international organizations, we have every basis to affirm that: Promoting the results and drawing experience from the work of fighting, preventing and combating corruption in previous periods, in the past 10 years, with the establishment of the Central Steering Committee on preventing and combating corruption and waste (under the Politburo), up to now, the work of fighting and combating corruption has been led and directed by the Central Government resolutely, methodically, increasingly going into depth, making strong progress, achieving many specific, very important, comprehensive results, leaving a good impression, creating a positive effect, spreading strongly throughout society, and truly "becoming an irreversible movement and trend", receiving the sympathy, support, and appreciation of cadres, party members and people, and being recognized by international friends. Corruption has been gradually controlled and prevented, contributing significantly to maintaining political stability, socio-economic development, and strengthening the trust of cadres, party members and people in our Party and State.

According to the results of a recent public opinion survey conducted by the Central Propaganda Department, the vast majority of people (93%) expressed confidence in the Party's leadership in the fight against corruption; making all distortions and sabotage by hostile and evil forces appear brazen and ridiculous. That is a great success in our anti-corruption work in recent times. The following 5 points stand out:

1. The work of detecting and handling corruption has been directed and implemented in a methodical, synchronous, drastic and effective manner, creating a breakthrough in the work of preventing and combating corruption, affirming the very high determination of our Party, State and people in the fight against corruption with the spirit of "no forbidden zones, no exceptions, regardless of who that person is and not subject to pressure from any individual".

- The Party's inspection and supervision, the State's inspection and auditing work have been strengthened, detecting and strictly handling violations; tightening discipline and order within the Party and the State apparatus, effectively contributing to improving the effectiveness of corruption prevention and control work.

Party committees and Inspection Committees at all levels have been proactive, strengthened their direction, focused on inspecting and handling Party organizations and Party members when there are signs of violations; handled both incumbent and retired officials, both high-ranking officials and officials in the armed forces; strictly implemented from top to bottom, with a focus and key points; Party discipline took the lead, creating a premise, paving the way for administrative discipline and for inspection, investigation and criminal handling according to the law. The Central Inspection Committee has clearly demonstrated its mettle and determination, expanding the scope and subjects of inspection down to the district and grassroots Party committees; decisively handled many complicated cases that had lasted for many terms, involving many levels, many sectors and many localities.

During the 2012-2022 period, Party committees and Inspection Committees at all levels have disciplined 2,740 Party organizations and more than 167,700 cadres and Party members, of which 7,390 Party members were disciplined for corruption; 170 cadres under the Central Committee's management were disciplined, including 4 Politburo members and former Politburo members; 29 Central Committee members and former Central Committee members; 50 generals in the armed forces. Since the beginning of the 13th National Congress term, 50 cadres under the Central Committee's management have been disciplined (4 times higher than the 11th term and nearly half the number of senior cadres disciplined in the 12th term), including 8 Central Committee members and former Central Committee members, and 20 generals. This is a breakthrough in the Party's inspection and discipline work.

The Inspection and Audit sectors have made great efforts, been impartial and objective, clarified violations; handled and recommended strict handling of related organizations and individuals, and recovered many assets for the State. In particular, they have focused on areas with many public opinions about negativity, corruption, and waste; strictly handled and publicized violations related to many projects causing great losses and losses, which are of public concern ([1]). From 2012 to present, through inspection and audit work, more than 975 trillion VND and nearly 76 thousand hectares of land have been handled and recovered; the responsibilities of nearly 44,700 collectives and individuals have been handled; nearly 1,200 cases with signs of crime have been transferred to the investigation agency for handling; and more than 2,000 documents have been recommended to be amended, supplemented, abolished, and replaced, including many legal documents that are no longer appropriate.

Politburo members, Party Central Committee Secretariat, Party Central Committee members, leaders of central departments, ministries and branches, and local leaders attended the Conference. Photo: Pham Cuong

- The investigation, prosecution and trial of corruption and economic cases are carried out persistently, resolutely, without compromise, without leniency, without injustice or wrongdoing; without letting criminals escape; very strict, but also very humane, compassionate, reasonable and emotional; most of the subjects being handled are clearly aware of their mistakes and are convinced, expressing repentance, repentance, and apologizing to the Party, the State and the people; having a strong warning, warning, deterrent, educational and preventive effect, receiving the sympathy, support and appreciation of public opinion and the people; creating a breakthrough in the work of detecting and handling corruption. Many major, especially serious and complicated cases have been thoroughly handled, including cases that have been pending and prolonged for many years ([2]), with many high-ranking officials being criminally prosecuted, including Politburo members, ministers, deputy ministers, chairmen of provincial People's Committees, and generals in the armed forces.

Over the past 10 years, the prosecution agencies nationwide have initiated, investigated, prosecuted, and tried at first instance nearly 16,000 corruption, position, and economic cases with more than 30,300 defendants. The Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption alone has monitored and directed nearly 1,000 cases at 3 levels ([3]); of which it directly monitored and directed 313 serious, complicated corruption and economic cases of public concern, and brought 120 cases to first instance trial with 1,083 defendants, including 37 officials under the Central management, who were criminally prosecuted (1 Politburo member, 10 members and former members of the Party Central Committee, 6 ministers and former ministers, 13 generals in the armed forces...).

The results of detecting, investigating and handling corruption in recent times have further demonstrated that we have strictly implemented the guiding ideology and viewpoint: "Words must go hand in hand with actions, there are no forbidden areas, no exceptions, regardless of who the person is, and there is no influence or pressure from any organization or individual". I have said many times that: Strictly handling many officials, including high-ranking officials who have committed violations, is something that no one wants, even very painful and heartbreaking; but for the common cause, for the strictness of Party discipline, the rule of law of the State, the purity, strength and prestige of the Party, the State and the will of the people, we must do it, and resolutely do it. Discipline a few people to save thousands of people; and will continue to do it more resolutely and strongly in the coming time in the spirit of Uncle Ho's teaching: "Cutting off a few rotten branches to save the whole tree".

Along with focusing on directing strict handling of violations, the work of recovering corrupt assets has also seen many positive changes; the seizure and confiscation of assets in many serious corruption and economic cases has been quite high; the rate of recovering corrupt assets in criminal cases of corruption and economic crimes has increased significantly (If in 2013, the rate of recovering corrupt assets during the execution of judgments was only under 10%, then in the period of 2012 - 2022, the average rate reached 34.7%). The work of inspecting, examining, detecting and handling corruption at the local and grassroots levels has also received more attention, gradually overcoming the situation of "hot above, cold below"; many localities, ministries and branches have paid attention to preventing and handling the evil of "petty corruption".

2. Along with focusing on directing the work of detecting and handling corruption, the work of building and perfecting mechanisms and institutions on socio-economic management and preventing and combating corruption and negativity has also been focused on promoting, gradually perfecting strict prevention mechanisms so that corruption is "impossible", "not daring", "not wanting", "not needing". The Central Executive Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, the National Assembly, the Government, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and advisory and support agencies of the Central Committee have issued many new, strong and increasingly drastic policies, solutions and regulations on building and rectifying the Party and the political system, perfecting socio-economic institutions and preventing and combating corruption and negativity.

Many regulations and resolutions have been thoroughly grasped and seriously implemented, and have come into life; overcoming in part previous loopholes and shortcomings that gave rise to negativity and corruption[4]. It can be affirmed that, up to now, the Party's policies and regulations, and our legal documents on preventing and combating corruption and negativity have basically been relatively complete; what is most needed now is self-awareness, high unity of will and action, and organization of implementation. We have done well in the past, but there is still much to do and we must do even better in the coming time.

3. Personnel work and administrative reform ensure publicity and transparency; clearly define accountability in the activities of agencies, organizations, and units; and solutions to prevent corruption and negativity have also been focused on, directed, and implemented resolutely, achieving good results.

Personnel work has undergone many innovations in the direction of becoming more democratic, impartial, objective, open, and transparent; in accordance with principles and procedures, ensuring the Party's close leadership. Many regulations have been issued synchronously and feasible, solving many problems that existed in personnel work in the past; the situation of running for positions, running for power, localism, "familiarity", "cronyism", and "group interests" has been significantly reduced.

The recent issuance and direction of the implementation of the Conclusion of the 4th Central Conference (13th tenure) on promoting the building and rectification of the Party and the political system; resolutely preventing, repelling, and strictly handling cadres and party members who have degraded in ideology, politics, ethics, lifestyle, and manifestations of "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" within the Party; and the new Regulation on what party members are not allowed to do is a very correct policy and also a valuable lesson in our personnel work.

The Government, ministries, branches and localities have actively implemented administrative reform tasks, increased transparency, improved the investment and business environment, enhanced national competitiveness and prevented corruption and negativity. Attention has also been paid to receiving, processing, answering and responding to people's feedback and recommendations and dialogue with all walks of life. Strengthening the control of assets and income, changing job positions, handling responsibilities of leaders; non-cash payments; amending and promulgating regimes, norms and standards; reforming salary and income policies, improving the lives of officials, civil servants and public employees, etc. have also contributed positively to the fight against corruption.

4. Information, propaganda and education on corruption prevention and control have been strengthened and innovated; the supervision of elected bodies, the role of the Fatherland Front, the people and the press and media in preventing and combating corruption and negativity have been better promoted. Information, propaganda and education activities on corruption prevention and control have been promoted; awareness and responsibility of Party committees, Party organizations, cadres, Party members and people in preventing and combating corruption and negativity have been raised. The public disclosure of inspection, examination, audit results, handling of corruption and economic cases and cases; proactive provision of information on sensitive issues of public concern have also contributed to orienting public opinion and demonstrating openness and transparency in handling corruption. News agencies and the press have actively participated in, accompanying the Party, the State and functional agencies in preventing and combating corruption; Both propagandize and actively fight against the distorted arguments of bad and hostile forces on the work of preventing and combating corruption and negativity. The National Assembly and its agencies have strengthened supervision of the work of preventing and combating corruption and negativity; not only regular supervision at meetings, but also the frequency of thematic supervision on preventing and combating corruption and negativity has been increased. People's Councils at all levels have paid more attention to supervising the work of preventing and combating corruption at the local level. The Fatherland Front at all levels and its member organizations have strengthened supervision of areas prone to negativity and corruption, causing much resentment among the people; supervised the cultivation and training of qualities and ethics of cadres and party members; requested competent agencies to handle information reported by the press on negativity and corruption; actively participated in social criticism, giving opinions on building the Party and building a clean and strong government.

5. Focus on improving the organization, improving the quality, efficiency of operations and coordination between agencies and functional units in the work of preventing and combating corruption; actively cooperating internationally and gradually expanding the content and scope of anti-corruption activities. Implementing the recent Resolution of the 5th Central Committee (term XIII), in some localities, the Provincial Steering Committee on anti-corruption and negative activities has been established and quickly put into operation, achieving initial results. The functions, tasks and working regulations of the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption have also been amended and supplemented, with many innovations in both content and methods of operation. The scope of activities of the Central and local Steering Committees has recently been expanded, including "negative activities" to suit the functions, tasks and scope of activities of the Steering Committee.

Previously, we only talked about "fighting corruption and waste"; that is not wrong; but waste is just a specific thing; while negativity has a broader content and scope, more fundamental, especially the degradation of ideology, politics, morality, and lifestyle. This is the root, the most dangerous thing, leading to corruption and deterioration; not only losing money and property, but also losing people, even losing the regime. The Central Steering Committee has chosen weak links and difficult tasks to focus on directing and overcoming; working very seriously, responsibly, methodically, and in a disciplined manner, with very smooth and close coordination, high determination and increasingly good efficiency; truly being the "commander in chief", the "conductor" of the work of preventing and fighting corruption and negativity. The provincial Steering Committee has also been, is, and will be implementing activities in this direction. The Central Internal Affairs Committee and the internal affairs committees of the re-established provincial and municipal Party Committees have initially made many efforts and attempts to improve the effectiveness of their advisory work on corruption prevention and control. The Central Internal Affairs Committee - the standing agency of the Central Steering Committee on corruption prevention and control has been proactive, thorough, determined, persistent, and courageous in performing its advisory tasks, making proposals, and helping the Steering Committee develop and effectively implement programs and work plans, remove difficulties and obstacles; and handle many particularly serious and complicated corruption cases and incidents that have received special attention from the public.

The coordination between agencies and functional units in the work of preventing and combating corruption has also been focused on and strengthened, especially the coordination between the Party's inspection, supervision and internal affairs agencies with the inspection, auditing and investigation agencies; between the inspection and auditing agencies and the investigation agencies; between the central and local prosecution agencies and the ministries and functional branches has become increasingly closer, more timely and more effective (there is almost no longer the situation of "your rights, my rights", "the crab relies on its claws, the fish relies on its fins" as before). International cooperation in preventing and combating corruption has also been strengthened; anti-corruption activities have also been gradually expanded to the non-state sector (the recent "Viet A" case is a typical example).

Dear comrades,

Looking back on the 10-year journey since the establishment of the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption under the Politburo and the Party Central Committee, especially after 2 years of implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, despite facing many difficulties and challenges, with the will and high sense of responsibility, with the efforts, joint efforts and consensus of the entire Party, people and army, our work to fight against corruption and negativity has achieved many important results, contributing to consolidating and enhancing the will and trust of the people in the cause of innovation, building and defending the Fatherland, making our country increasingly rich, increasingly developed, and having a worthy position in the international arena.

It is not as some opinions say that focusing too much on anti-corruption will "discourage" and "retard" those who dare to think and act, and "slow down" the country's development; on the contrary, it is thanks to doing a good job of Party building and rectification, stepping up the fight against corruption and negativity that has made an important contribution to promoting socio-economic development, maintaining political stability, strengthening national defense, security and foreign affairs, especially contributing to regaining and consolidating people's trust, refuting the false arguments of bad, hostile and opposing forces that the fight against corruption and handling of erring cadres and party members is "internal strife" and "factions". Strengthening the fight against corruption and building and purifying the Party and State apparatus only "hesitates" those with impure motives, those who have "got their hands dirty", and those who do not fully understand the Party's policies and guidelines, lack courage, knowledge and experience.

Through the summary, we can affirm that the fight against corruption and negativity has never been carried out in such a strong, synchronous, drastic, systematic and effective manner as in recent times; leaving a remarkable mark, creating high consensus in society and consolidating and strengthening the trust of cadres, party members and people in the Party and the State. So the question is why have these results been achieved?

The Report has stated quite clearly and specifically. I would like to emphasize several basic reasons, which are:

(1) First of all, it is the close and drastic leadership and direction, with many correct and timely decisions of the Central Executive Committee, the Politburo, the Secretariat, the National Assembly, the Government, most directly of the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption; the exemplary, drastic, and consistent words and actions of the Party and State leaders, of the heads of Party committees and authorities at all levels.

(2) The efforts, attempts and determination of the advisory agencies and Party committees, Party organizations, departments, ministries, branches and localities, especially the great efforts of the agencies and units with the function of preventing and combating corruption and the central and local prosecution agencies.

(3) The resonance of positive and clear results in the work of building and rectifying the Party and the political system.

(4) The active participation of the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations; the consensus, support and encouragement of the people; the proactive involvement of news agencies and the press, creating a combined strength in the fight against corruption.

Here, I would like to emphasize that we have promoted the extremely important role of the people, as Uncle Ho advised: "We must "mobilize the masses, practice democracy, make the masses understand clearly, make the masses enthusiastically participate to ensure success!".

However, in addition to the achievements, we must also frankly admit that: The work of preventing and combating corruption still has limitations and shortcomings as stated in the Report. That is: Some ministries, departments, branches and localities do not have high determination and have not had strong changes. The detection and handling of corruption is still limited; the rate of recovery of corrupt and lost assets is still low; self-inspection, self-detection and handling of corruption within agencies and units is still a weak link. The situation of harassment and negativity in the administrative and public service sectors has not been effectively prevented. Corruption in some areas is still serious and complicated, with increasingly sophisticated and cunning manifestations, causing outrage in society. Corruption and negativity are still one of the "vicious enemies", threatening the survival of our Party and regime.

The fundamental cause of the above-mentioned shortcomings and limitations is that some Party committees, Party organizations, authorities, heads of agencies, organizations and units have not fully and deeply recognized the seriousness of the corruption situation in their localities, agencies, units and fields; have not been truly exemplary and resolute, their words have not matched their actions; they lack courage, are considerate, evasive, and even cover up for violators. A significant number of cadres, Party members, civil servants and public employees, including leaders, managers and high-ranking officials, lack self-cultivation and training, fall into individualism, and even degenerate in political ideology, ethics and lifestyle.

The mechanism for controlling power, the work of inspecting and supervising the exercise of power by people in positions of authority and power has not received due attention; laws, mechanisms and policies still have many loopholes, making them easy to be exploited; the enforcement of the law in general and the regulations of the Party and the State on corruption prevention and control in particular in some agencies, units and localities is not strict. The organization, apparatus, tasks, powers, means and working conditions of agencies and units in charge of corruption prevention and control are still limited and inadequate; the capacity and qualifications of a number of cadres and civil servants have not met the requirements; in some cases, they have fallen into degradation, become involved in negativity, have their hands dirty, do not dare to fight or continue to assist corruption.

Dear comrades,

From the practical work of fighting corruption in our country in recent times, we can draw many valuable lessons, both theoretically and practically. I would like to boldly try to suggest and outline in general the following key issues:

(1) First of all, it is necessary to fully and deeply perceive the position, meaning and importance of the fight against corruption and negativity in order to have very high political determination, very accurate measures and must be under the leadership, direction, concentration and unity of the Party, directly and regularly by the Central Steering Committee on Corruption Prevention and Control under the Politburo; the Central Internal Affairs Committee is the standing body of the Steering Committee. It is necessary to turn political determination into practical actions of cadres, party members, civil servants, public employees and people, first of all, the exemplary, resolute, and consistent words and deeds of the Party and State leaders, of the heads of Party committees, authorities, agencies, organizations and units in preventing and combating corruption. Corruption often occurs internally, by those in positions of power. Preventing and combating corruption is a struggle within each individual, in each agency, organization, unit and locality; related to the interests, position, reputation, prestige of an organization or individual.

Therefore, we must have a resolute and uncompromising attitude and take drastic, concrete and effective actions. Leaders must be responsible for weaknesses and corruption violations in their organizations, agencies, units and localities. Those assigned positions and powers must constantly cultivate, practice, regularly self-reflect and self-correct; at the same time, we must strengthen supervision and effectively control the exercise of power by those holding positions and powers. All power must be strictly controlled by mechanisms; power must be bound by responsibility; where there is power, there is responsibility; the higher the power, the greater the responsibility; anyone who abuses or takes advantage of power for personal gain must be held accountable and punished for violations. That is the meaning of saying that power must be "locked" in a "cage" of mechanisms.

2) Preventing and combating corruption is "fighting against internal invaders", that is, fighting against bad habits, especially the degradation of quality, morality, embezzlement, theft, embezzlement of public property in many forms; money, property, material,... given by others, "gifted", "given", bribery,... with impure motives. It often happens to people in positions of power. Therefore, this is a very important task, but also extremely difficult and complicated, requiring us to carry out resolutely, persistently, continuously, tenaciously, "without rest", "without stopping" at all levels, sectors, and fields; synchronously implementing political, ideological, organizational, administrative, economic, and criminal measures; with firm, positive, proactive and focused steps; must build a strict prevention mechanism so that "corruption is impossible"; a deterrent and strict punishment mechanism so that "no one dares to be corrupt"; and a guarantee mechanism so that "no one needs to be corrupt".

Corruption is a "congenital defect" of power, one of the threats to the survival of the regime. In every era, every regime, every country, corruption cannot be completely eradicated in a short time. Therefore, in the fight against corruption, we cannot be subjective, impatient, or complacent; we cannot avoid or hold back; on the contrary, we must be very persistent, not "stopping", not "resting"; we must resolutely detect and handle corruption, we must persistently educate, manage, prevent, deter, and not let corruption happen; we must be vigilant and fight against the plots and activities of hostile forces and bad elements who take advantage of the fight against corruption to incite, divide, and sabotage our Party, State, and regime.

3) It is necessary to closely combine active prevention with proactive detection and timely, synchronous and strict handling of corruption acts; in which, prevention is the main, fundamental and long-term task; detection and handling are breakthroughs and important. To proactively and actively prevent, it is necessary to focus on building and perfecting economic and social institutions and policies, strengthening socialist legality, and promoting the building of a clean and strong Party and political system in all aspects.

In detecting and handling, it is necessary to thoroughly grasp the principle: If there is a case, it must be verified and clarified; actively, urgently, and clearly handle it; handle both acts of corruption and acts of condoning and covering up corruption; interfere with and obstruct the fight against corruption. If there are signs of a crime, it must be prosecuted and investigated; if a crime is concluded, it must be prosecuted and tried according to the provisions of the law; if the case has not yet reached the level of criminal prosecution, it must be strictly disciplined according to the regulations of the Party, the State, and organizations. It is necessary to carry out synchronously between Party discipline, administrative discipline of the State, organizations, and criminal prosecution. Party discipline is implemented first, creating the premise for administrative discipline of the State, organizations, and criminal prosecution. The handling must focus on education, deterrence, and prevention, combining punishment with leniency; at the same time, protect and encourage those who dare to think, dare to do, dare to innovate, and be creative for the common cause.

4) It is necessary to link the work of preventing and combating corruption and negativity with the practice of thrift and combating waste; link the work of preventing and combating corruption, waste and negativity with Party building and rectification, studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style; combating degradation in political ideology, morality, lifestyle, "self-evolution", "self-transformation" within the Party; mobilize the combined strength of the entire political system and the whole society in the fight against corruption. Strongly promote the role and responsibility of agencies and elected representatives, the Fatherland Front and its member organizations; of the people, media and press agencies, enterprises and businessmen in preventing and combating corruption. It is necessary to thoroughly grasp President Ho Chi Minh's viewpoint: "People are the root"; rely on the people, listen to the people, listen to public opinion to select and absorb the right things, but not simply "follow" or chase after public opinion. Effectively deploy anti-corruption activities in the non-state sector; Strengthening international cooperation in preventing and combating corruption.

5) Control the implementation of state power, ensure the unified leadership and direction of the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption; promote the core role and close, synchronous, timely and effective coordination of anti-corruption agencies. The Steering Committee must truly be the center for directing, regulating and coordinating activities, and a solid support for anti-corruption agencies to carry out their assigned tasks.

The cadres working in the field of anti-corruption must have a strong will and the courage to fight; must be honest, upright, "impartial and impartial", and truly be the sharp "sword" of the Party and State in the fight against corruption. Controlling power and practicing integrity must first be carried out effectively in these agencies; corruption must be fought right in the agencies working in the field of anti-corruption.

6) Anti-corruption solutions must be consistent with the context of the requirements for developing a socialist-oriented market economy in Vietnam and the cultural traditions of the nation; selectively absorb foreign experiences. At the same time, it is necessary to build a public service culture in each sector, agency, and unit. Public service culture will ensure professionalism, responsibility, transparency, and efficiency in performing tasks. In each different stage, it is necessary to identify key tasks and breakthrough solutions that are consistent with the situation of the country and locality in order to focus on leadership and direct effective implementation.

II- On directions, tasks and solutions in the coming time

Dear comrades,

In the coming time, with the general goal of "Improving the leadership capacity, governing capacity and fighting strength of the Party; building a clean and strong Party and political system in all aspects; consolidating and strengthening the people's trust in the Party, the State, the socialist regime...; building and firmly protecting the Fatherland, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment; striving to make our country a developed country, following the socialist orientation by the middle of the 21st century"; The 13th National Party Congress affirmed and supplemented a number of major orientations for the work of preventing and combating corruption in the coming time: Resolutely and persistently fighting to prevent and repel corruption and negativity, with higher political determination and stronger actions. Closely combining active prevention with proactive detection, strict and timely handling of acts of corruption, negativity, covering up, condoning, abetting corruption, interfering with and obstructing the fight against corruption and negativity; No forbidden zones, no exceptions. Promote the combined strength of the entire political system and the entire population; synchronously implement political, ideological, organizational, administrative, economic, and criminal measures.

Continue to promote and improve the effectiveness of education and propaganda work, create self-awareness and high unity in awareness and action among cadres, party members and people in preventing and combating corruption and negativity, first of all, the exemplary and resolute role of leaders of Party committees, agencies, organizations, units and localities; persistently educate and practice integrity; build a culture of thrift, no corruption and waste, first of all among cadres, party members, civil servants and public employees.

Step up the development and improvement of Party regulations and State laws on socio-economics; on inspection, supervision and prevention of corruption and negativity; first of all, the exemplary and resolute role of leaders of Party committees, agencies, organizations, units and localities; persistently educate and practice integrity, build a culture of thrift and non-corruption, first of all among cadres, Party members, civil servants and public employees.

Strengthening the work of inspection, supervision, auditing, investigation, prosecution, trial, and execution of judgments; early detection and strict handling of corruption and negative cases; resolutely recovering corrupt assets; promptly handling and replacing leaders and managers who show signs of harassment, extortion, and causing trouble for people and businesses. Continuing to improve the organization, apparatus, and staff, ensuring true integrity and transparency; improving the capacity and operational efficiency of agencies and units with the function of preventing and combating corruption and agencies advising Party committees in leading and directing this work. Gradually expanding the scope of corruption prevention and combat to the non-state sector; expanding and improving the effectiveness of international cooperation in corruption prevention and combat. Promoting the role and responsibility of agencies and elected representatives, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, socio-political organizations, people and media and press agencies in the fight against corruption and negativity; ...

Thoroughly grasping the above-mentioned goals and major orientations, in the coming years, we, first of all the Central Steering Committee, provincial Steering Committees and central and local internal affairs agencies, need to continue to promote more strongly and better the great results, achievements and valuable lessons of the past 10 years; strive even harder on the path of innovation, improving the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of operations in the new development stage.

In that spirit, our Conference has agreed and reached a high consensus on the directions, tasks and key solutions for the coming time as stated in the Report, as well as the responsible and dedicated comments of the delegates. I would like to emphasize and note the following issues:

Firstly, we must continue to promote and further improve the effectiveness of education and propaganda work, building a culture of thrift, and eliminating corruption and negativity among cadres, party members and the people.

This is not a new task, but it is very important. Because propaganda and education are one of the fundamental measures to raise awareness, spirit, consciousness, morality, build integrity, fight against degeneration and degradation. It is necessary to thoroughly grasp, propagate and educate extensively the goals, viewpoints, tasks, solutions and regulations of the Party and State on preventing and combating corruption and negativity; on the dangers of corruption and negativity,... to create self-awareness and high unity of will and action among cadres, party members and people, first of all, the exemplary and resolute role of leaders and collective leaders at all levels, sectors, agencies, organizations, units and localities.

We must persistently educate and train cadres, party members, civil servants and public employees in the virtues of integrity and uprightness; build a culture of thrift, no corruption and negativity. All cadres and party members must deeply remember Uncle Ho's advice that: Our Party is the ruling party; the Party is both the leader and the truly loyal servant of the people. The Party must always rely on the people, listen to the people, and be closely attached to the people; whatever is beneficial to the people must be done with all our might and done at all costs; conversely, whatever is harmful to the people must be avoided at all costs. Whatever the people do not agree with, even hate and oppose, must be resolutely prevented, corrected and violations must be strictly handled. Cadres and party members, first of all leaders, must know how to respect integrity, maintain honor, and feel ashamed when they or their relatives commit acts of corruption and negativity. Our ancestors taught us: "The root of goodness is in our hearts, the word Heart is worth three words of Talent; if you have talent, why rely on it? The word "Talent" rhymes with the word "Disaster"!". Avoid the situation: "Your feet are still dirty, yet you hold a torch to rub other people's feet"; "If the superiors are not righteous, the subordinates will be in chaos!"; "The superiors are not in the right position, so we are rude to the subordinates!".

It is necessary to strengthen coordination, proactively publicize, promptly provide information, and orient propaganda on corruption prevention and control. Focus on information and propaganda about good people and good deeds; overcome the situation of one-way information, inaccurate information, provocative information, causing confusion. Protect, reward, and promptly encourage journalists who actively and bravely fight against corruption; at the same time, resolutely expose, criticize, and reject distorted arguments, taking advantage of corruption prevention and control, and negativity to incite, divide, and sabotage our Party and State; strictly handle the reporting of false information, slander, fabrication, and causing bad consequences.

Second, continue to build and perfect the synchronous institutions on Party building and rectification, socio-economic management, and corruption and negativity prevention and control; promptly overcome shortcomings and close "gaps" and "loopholes" so that "corruption and negativity cannot occur".

Institutions in general, institutions on preventing and combating corruption and negativity in particular, together with ethical standards in all fields and power control mechanisms are fundamental and fundamental factors that have the effect of preventing corruption and negativity from the root. It is necessary to develop internal regulations of the Party, principles and ethical standards applicable to cadres and party members, especially leaders, in maintaining moral qualities, integrity, and being exemplary in preventing and combating corruption and negativity. There must be a mechanism to strictly control the development of policies and laws on socio-economic management to limit the negative impact of "interest groups", "backyards", "term thinking"; prevent the risk of corruption and negativity from the very beginning of policy and law development. Urgently complete regulations on power control, accountability, ensuring democracy, publicity and transparency. Clearly define the responsibilities of leaders in inspecting, detecting and handling corruption and negativity; and protect those who actively fight against corruption and negativity; encourage and protect cadres, party members and leaders who innovate, are creative, dare to think, dare to do, dare to take responsibility for the common good.

Third, strengthen inspection, supervision, auditing; step up investigation, prosecution, trial, and execution of judgments; promptly detect and strictly handle corruption cases; effectively prevent "petty corruption"; and improve the efficiency of recovering corrupt assets.

Inspection, supervision, audit and auditing work must be conducted regularly, comprehensively and publicly, with a focus and key points; focusing on areas that are prone to negativity, with a lot of public opinion about corruption, negativity, ideological, moral and lifestyle degradation, "self-evolution" and "self-transformation" within the organization. The fight against corruption must be closely linked to the fight against ideological, moral and lifestyle degradation, "self-evolution" and "self-transformation". Because these two aspects are closely related. Violations must be promptly detected, resolved early, prevented from the beginning, and small violations must not accumulate into major violations. All officials and party members who violate must be handled promptly, synchronously, strictly and publicly.

Speed ​​up the investigation and handling of corruption and economic cases that have been prosecuted in accordance with Party regulations and State laws; focus on detecting and handling new corruption cases and incidents; no forbidden areas, no exceptions; not subject to improper influence from any individual or organization. Create stronger and more obvious changes in detecting and handling corruption and negativity at the local and grassroots levels; effectively handle and prevent the situation of extortion, harassment, "suggestions", "bribes", causing trouble for people and businesses in solving work.

Improve the effectiveness of recovering corrupt assets; focus on tracing and promptly applying synchronous measures to thoroughly recover corrupt assets right from the stages of inspection, examination, auditing, prosecution, investigation, prosecution, trial and during the execution of sentences; encourage criminals to voluntarily compensate and remedy the consequences in corruption and economic cases.

Fourth, continue to improve and strictly implement regulations on publicity, transparency and accountability in the operations of agencies, organizations and units; effectively control the assets and income of people holding positions and powers; reform administration and build a contingent of cadres with sufficient qualities, capacity and prestige, equal to the tasks in the new period.

Along with "locking" power in a "cage" of mechanisms and institutions, publicity, transparency and accountability are the first conditions for controlling power, ensuring that power is operated properly and is not "degenerated". Therefore, it is necessary to continue to perfect and strictly implement regulations on publicity, transparency and accountability in the activities of agencies, organizations and units and measures to ensure that citizens fully exercise their right to access information as prescribed by law. Promote the role of supervising the exercise of power through the inspection and supervision of the Party; inspection and audit of the State; supervision of elected bodies and elected representatives, of judicial agencies, the Fatherland Front and its member organizations, of the people and society.

Fifth, continue to improve the organizational structure, enhance the capacity and operational efficiency of agencies and units with the function of preventing and combating corruption and negativity, first of all, the provincial Steering Committees and internal affairs agencies from the central to local levels.

Develop and perfect regulations and rules to effectively prevent negative and unhealthy impacts on the operations of these agencies. In particular, it is necessary to build a team of cadres working in the field of corruption prevention and control who are truly courageous, truly honest and clean; not subject to any dishonest pressure from organizations or individuals; or any temptation or bribery from criminals. There must be a reasonable incentive policy, creating motivation for the team of cadres working in the field of corruption prevention and control to strive, wholeheartedly and wholeheartedly for their work. I have said many times: We must prevent and combat corruption and negativity first and foremost, and right in the agencies that prevent and combat corruption and negativity!

Dear comrades,

From the results and experiences gained in the past time, we believe that the work of preventing and combating corruption and negativity in the coming time will have new steps forward, be stronger, more determined and achieve higher efficiency. Corruption and negativity will definitely be prevented and pushed back; contributing to building our Party and State to be increasingly clean and strong, meeting the requirements of the revolutionary cause and worthy of the trust and expectations of the people. The important and decisive thing is: Awareness must be mature; ideology must be clear; determination must be great, and methods must be correct; contributing to gradually changing the situation, with truly clear and specific results.

On this occasion, once again, on behalf of the Party and State leaders and the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption and negativity, I would like to send you my best wishes for health and happiness. I hope that all of you, the "pillars" of the Party and State, the "Bao Cong" of today's era, will uphold your sense of responsibility and courage before the Party, the people and the country, be exemplary, take the lead in leading, directing and implementing tasks and solutions to prevent and combat corruption and negativity, especially focusing on directing the concretization, institutionalization and realization of tasks to prevent and combat corruption and negativity according to the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress in accordance with the situation and characteristics of your ministries, branches, localities, agencies and units, effectively contributing to the consolidation and building of our Party and State to be increasingly clean and strong in terms of politics, ideology, organization, ethics and lifestyle, and to be trusted and admired by the people; successfully lead and organize the cause of building and defending our beloved Vietnam.

Dear comrades,

It is rare to attend a large-scale conference with such important and meaningful content in many aspects like this; and to meet intimately and solemnly with most of the key leaders at all levels from the Central to the grassroots level throughout the country. I am very honored and moved and would like to express a few things of a more intimate and emotional nature by repeating an impressive and profound saying of the character Pavel Korsaghin - the main character in the work "How the Steel Was Tempered" by the famous Soviet writer Nikolai Ostrovsky - a "bedside book" of the youth of our age in the years 1959 - 1960. The gist of it is: The most precious thing for a person is Life and the Honor of living, because a person only lives once. One must live so as not to feel pain and regret for the years lived in vain, wasted; so that we will not be ashamed of our mean, cowardly actions, despised by everyone; so that when we close our eyes and pass away, we can be proud that: All my life, all my strength, I have devoted to the most noble cause in the world - the cause of fighting for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, for the longevity of the Nation, the glory of the Race and the happiness of the People!

Thank you very much!

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong