General Secretary To Lam: Developing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation is not just a choice, but a path to survival

On the morning of January 13, at Dien Hong Hall - National Assembly House, the Party Central Committee Secretariat held a National Conference on breakthroughs in science, technology development, innovation and national digital transformation.

General Secretary To Lam attended and directed the Conference at the Central bridge point.

Also attending at the Central bridge were: Former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; Politburo member, President Luong Cuong; Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; Politburo member, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man; former Politburo member, former National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung; Politburo member, Standing member of the Secretariat, Chairman of the Central Inspection Commission Tran Cam Tu and other Politburo members and Secretariat members.

At the Nghe An provincial bridge, the conference was attended by comrades: Nguyen Duc Trung - Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Hoang Nghia Hieu - Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Le Hong Vinh - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; comrades of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, members of the Provincial Party Executive Committee, members of the Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Committee, leaders of departments, branches, the Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations at the provincial level, and central agencies located in the province.

Strategic mission, creating a strong foundation for national development in the new era

In his concluding remarks at the conference, General Secretary To Lam emphasized that our Party and State always consider science and technology as the decisive factor and foundation for the country's sustainable development.

Since the 4th Congress, science and technology have been identified as a revolution, and to this day, as a top national policy. Many important resolutions have been issued, bringing about positive results, contributing to the development of the country as it is today.

The General Secretary said that, looking at it in a comprehensive, serious and objective way, the results of implementing the Central Resolutions have not achieved the set goals, have not been as expected, and have not met development requirements.

There are still many shortcomings, limitations, barriers, and bottlenecks that are hindering the development of science and technology as stated in the report, from institutions, mechanisms, policies, laws, to resources and means. The main reason for the lack of success of the Central Resolutions lies in the implementation organization.

The General Secretary affirmed that Resolution 57 does not replace previous resolutions, but can be considered a "Resolution to liberate scientific thinking", "Resolution to implement Resolutions", "Resolution of action" with very specific goals, innovating thinking and working methods, aiming to realize policies, remove barriers, liberate capacity to promote breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation, creating a foundation for strong development of the country in the new era.

To effectively and promptly implement the Resolution, General Secretary To Lam clearly stated his viewpoint: Always consider investment in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as a long-term strategy, accepting delays and risks in implementation. Consider this an investment, and investment means accepting both wins and losses.

At the same time, data is considered a new resource, the "air and light" of the new era, and a new means of production; digital transformation is a tool to innovate production methods, business, and productive forces. Innovation is the "magic wand" to achieve sustainable prosperity, with scientists at the center.

Breakthroughs must be made in both natural and social sciences, which are endless spaces with many wildernesses and many opportunities for intellectuals, scientists, and workers to turn “stones into rice.”

Regarding action, the General Secretary requested: It is necessary to clearly define what the State does? What businesses do? What intellectuals and scientists do? What do the people do? How do they benefit?

In particular, the State needs to focus on four things: Perfecting institutions and legal systems to make breakthroughs and develop; building an infrastructure system to serve breakthroughs; creating a rich and intelligent human resource with sufficient capacity for breakthroughs; ensuring security, safety of information data, secrets, know-how, ensuring intellectual property rights, protecting national sovereignty, and developing independently.

The General Secretary stated that it is necessary to unify awareness and action: Identifying science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation as strategic tasks of the entire Party, people and army.

The Central Committee has set an example of action with the accompanying Action Program being implemented today. Party committees and authorities at all levels need to concretize the Resolution with practical plans, taking implementation results as criteria for emulation and reward evaluation.

General Secretary To Lam affirmed that all tasks will be monitored and evaluated regularly; good performance will be rewarded, slow performance or violations will be criticized and handled. Weak and irresponsible leaders will be replaced immediately, not letting the country miss out on development opportunities.

Party committees, authorities and units need to make specific plans, closely following the goals of Resolution 57, with clear tasks, specific assignments, completion times and measurable results. Right in 2025, it is necessary to select and solve very fundamental problems, creating a foundation for the 2026-2030 period, creating a boost for new labor productivity, and creating trust for society.

The General Secretary also suggested that it is necessary to urgently perfect institutions and policies. In 2025, as soon as possible, it is necessary to complete the amendment, supplementation or promulgation of new legal regulations, policy mechanisms, remove all bottlenecks and barriers to develop science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, unleash maximum creativity, encourage people to dare to think, dare to do, dare to take responsibility; encourage dynamic and creative people who dare to think and dare to do, first of all, by legal regulations, creating space for managers to decide and take responsibility.

The Politburo has directed to innovate the law-making process, ensuring flexibility and efficiency, and this spirit will be institutionalized in the Law amending the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents, expected to be passed by the National Assembly soon.

The Government Party Committee needs to coordinate with the National Assembly Party Delegation to direct the timely implementation of the construction of 27 laws and 19 decrees in 2025, ensuring the institutionalization of Resolution 57 of the Politburo and the early issuance of guiding documents so that new regulations can soon be put into practice.

Institutional improvement must go hand in hand with effective implementation, with a strict monitoring and evaluation mechanism, especially for the team of implementing officials. Immediately eliminate the situation of “spreading the carpet above, scattering nails below” and eliminate the mindset of tenure, jealousy, or egalitarianism.

Prioritize budget allocation for worthy science and technology

General Secretary To Lam requested to urgently reorganize the science and technology apparatus. In the first quarter of 2025, complete the reorganization of science and technology organizations; focus on key investments to develop strong research organizations. Have a specific plan to build high-quality human resources, especially science and technology talents.

Implement breakthrough solutions to attract leading technology corporations, attract Vietnamese and foreign technology talents to work. Procedures related to this issue must be more open, even more competitive than other countries to attract. Consider removing business conditions that are no longer suitable to the new requirements of Resolution 57.

The State can pilot a number of institutes or schools to invite outside experts to be leaders, especially from the overseas Vietnamese community, who understand Vietnamese culture well, have grown up in developed countries, are knowledgeable about expertise and management, and have extensive international connections.

The General Secretary said that it is necessary to consider establishing a mechanism of Chief Architect or Chief Engineer for the implementation of large projects on science, technology and digital transformation of an interdisciplinary nature; and to establish a National Institute for Standards and Inspection for research, testing, evaluation and inspection of products and services.

The State facilitates the establishment of private research institutes, supports procedures, encourages them with taxes and credits, invites foreign experts to work, and creates all conditions for smooth operations.

The General Secretary emphasized that prioritizing budget allocation for science and technology is a breakthrough national policy. Allocating budget for science and technology, R&D, establishing science and technology funds, encouraging the formation of venture capital funds, angel funds, start-up funds, innovation funds, etc. Researching mechanisms for the "public investment - private management" model, ensuring that scientists have the right to be proactive in research and technology application.

In 2025, the first year of implementing Resolution 57, the Government needs to innovate the budget allocation plan for science, technology development, innovation and national digital transformation. It is recommended that the Government allocate at least 3% of the budget to carry out this task and continue to increase the spending ratio for science and technology to 2% of GDP in the next 5 years.

Review and adjust projects to ensure compliance with Resolution 57, avoid waste, focus on effective and targeted investment. At the same time, thoroughly reform the process of allocating, managing and settling funds, eliminating the "ask - give" mechanism and cumbersome procedures to optimize resources and encourage creativity.

Emphasizing the task of rapidly developing high-quality human resources, the General Secretary requested to issue a mechanism to attract talents in general, especially scientific and technological talents, overseas Vietnamese talents and international experts, with attractive policies on nationality, income, housing and working environment, etc.; increase investment in technology infrastructure, including digital technology.

In particular, it is necessary to prepare energy infrastructure for the next 5-10 years, focusing on clean energy, ensuring sufficient energy for development through concrete actions. Optimize and upgrade digital infrastructure, build 5G base stations, expand broadband Internet and fiber optic coverage. Build a National Data Center, implement the Data Law and a data exchange in 2025.

In 2025, the Government Party Committee needs to direct the review and supplementation of the Power Plan VIII, effectively exploit potentials such as wind power, solar power, and implement the construction of nuclear power plants to ensure sustainable power sources. At the same time, it is necessary to effectively manage, exploit, and protect minerals, especially rare earths, to serve the development of national science and technology.

At the same time, focusing on sectors with advantages and potential, avoiding spreading out, the General Secretary suggested prioritizing resources for a number of economic sectors with advantages and potential for development, avoiding spreading out, inefficiency and waste; promoting cooperation and taking advantage of international knowledge.

Promote research cooperation and technology transfer with advanced countries, especially in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, semiconductors and renewable energy. Actively participate in building international standards, first of all in the ASEAN region, through initiatives such as the Hanoi Convention; we must know how to "stand on the shoulders of giants".

The General Secretary also proposed to increase investment attraction from large technology corporations, create opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to participate in the global value chain, encourage technology transfer, improve the capacity to learn, absorb, master, and improve the world's knowledge and technology.

Determined to carry out the revolution of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, not missing the opportunity again, General Secretary To Lam called on the entire Party, people and army to unite, be creative, successfully carry out tasks, quickly put Resolution 57 into life, build a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic and prosperous Vietnam, as wished by President Ho Chi Minh.

The General Secretary pointed out that developing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation is not just a choice, but a way to survive. Leaders at all levels need to consider this a key political task; scientists and businesses should contribute and be creative; people need to accompany, learn and improve their digital skills.

With a solid political and legal foundation and high consensus from the entire Party, people and intellectuals, the General Secretary believes that the Resolution will create a breakthrough, contributing to socio-economic development and ensuring national defense and security.