Forest protection on agenda at National Assembly's sitting
Legislators raised issues regarding hydropower and forest preservation and development during the 10th sitting of the 14th National Assembly in Hanoi on November 3.
Speaking at the NA working session, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong said Vietnam now has 14.6 million ha of forest, of which natural forests total 10.3 ha. (Photo: VGP)
Hanoi (VNA) - Legislators raised issues regarding hydropower and forestpreservation and development during the 10th sitting of the 14th National Assembly in Hanoi on November 3.
They greatlyappreciated the management policies adopted by the Government as well as the effortsand resolve of the entire political system in the fight against COVID-19 and theresponse to recent natural disasters.
They suggestedthe Government chart different scenarios, including a worst-case, given thepossibility of the pandemic continuing to develop in a complex manner andclimate change remaining unpredictable.
Some pointed to inconsistenciesin the socio-economic development strategy and forestry development, with anumber of forestation targets yet to be completed.
Trieu Thi Thu Phuong,a deputy from the northern mountainous province of Bac Kan, proposed theGovernment adjust budget allocations in the 2021-2025 mid-term publicinvestment plan for provinces with high forest coverage rates.
The Governmentshould also adopt policies helping residents in areas prone to naturaldisasters stabilise their lives, and invest more in forestry infrastructure andforestry product development, she said.
Speaking at theworking session, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen XuanCuong said Vietnam now has 14.6 million ha of forest, of which natural forests total10.3 ha.
He highlightedthe major efforts of the political system and the people to raise the forestcoverage rate from 27 percent in 1990 to 42 percent now, compared to the globalaverage of 29 percent.
Some 4,600businesses are operating in the forestry industry, with forestry export revenueexpected to reach 13 billion USD this year, according to the minister.
He stressed theneed to pour additional investments into forest protection in order to improvethe quality of the task.
Vietnam’scommitments to sustainable forest development have been acknowledgedinternationally, he added./.
Legislators will debate the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and State budget in 2020 during their working session on November 3.
The Republic of Korea (RoK) attaches great importance to its strategic cooperative partnership with Vietnam and hopes that bilateral ties will develop fruitfully in all spheres, channels, and levels.
The Party chief attributed the achievements in the first half to the continuous, direct, and comprehensive leadership of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, and the close and effective coordination of relevant ministries, sectors and localities.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
Vietnam is a country with which Russia shares a special relationship. In the 1950s and 60s, particularly during Vietnam’s struggle for independence, the two countries forged a deep bond. While much has changed over time, the friendship and cooperation between our nations have endured, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
For 50 years, Vietnam and New Zealand have worked together to uphold peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region. The friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding Vietnam and New Zealand nurtured have grown from a seed into a deeply rooted, strong, and thriving tree, she stressed.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
Speaking at the NA working session, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong said Vietnam now has 14.6 million ha of forest, of which natural forests total 10.3 ha. (Photo: VGP) 
